It's possible, but the player has to be really good, if he's on a long contract. I didn't use the word bad.
Not long...just through 2023-2024. I see the Rockets using ~half their cap space in 2023 to get a player for themselves and the other half in 2024. Instead of wasting the cap space in 2023, I see Rockets trying to use it to get a future FRP with a bad contract. The player quality is mostly irrelevant except the FRP may be better if the player is actually worse.
Is Hayward the best player in this scenario? I think it’s subjective. I’m not disagreeing nor am I agreeing. Hayward and Gordon are almost identical in stats for their careers. They both miss a lot of games every season and both have 2 years left on their deals. The reason you get an asset for taking on Hayward is that he gets paid $31 million per year with no out while Eric gets $20 million with the optional out next year. Even though the contracts aren’t exactly the same Hayward to me is in a similar situation as John Wall was with us last year. Good player but not worth the contact. My reasoning for the additional pick was because Eric was worth a first in the last two trade windows. So one pick to take on Hayward and one for Eric. It’s okay to disagree though.
I’d do that for one pick. The rockets should try to move to the 2nd or 3rd pick next draft. That would give you 3 picks total. Along with the Nets assets if needed. Find the hopefully perfect player to pair with Jabari and Green. While deciding which of the two you want to keep out of KPJ Eason and Sengun.
Balancing out the roster while getting a big Garuba & Martin …for.., Walker Kessler We don’t pay Martin & use him to move Garuba guaranteed contract for a promising big that Smith’s former team mate. They played well together at Auburn. Jazz gets two for the price of one. I think both Martin and Garuba would benefit from a change of scenery. We are giving a lot but we can’t keep them all.
Cavs aren't giving up the 2024 1st. They'll be hoping to use it on Bronny to try and lure LeBron home.
Bronny is currently scheduled to be a late 2nd rounder. I could see someone using a late throwaway 1st in an attempt to get Lebron.
You might be right but they were exposed late last year as having no one to get them a bucket late in games other than Garland. This helps solve that problem.
The Jazz are blowing it up and 2 for 1 has appeal to most. Maybe not the “right” two for them but we should inquire and listen to their thoughts. It needs to be Garuba & someone. Walker Kessler is great fit for our needs. We should find a way to blend him into our team. We can’t keep all the players we have long term anyway. I am not opposed to a slight overpay for him because of long term fit.
