Jalen - already covered in other posts Jabari - ditto Sengun - not sure what the FO plans are but he makes my core Tari - that motor and desire to play defense is unique Everyone else... deuces if the right deal came along. The only reason I don't list KPJ is because I think for the Rockets to take the next step (especially with another high draftee coming in) his role needs to be diminished and I'm not sure how that would play out, so I move him.
Main Core: Sengun Green Jabari Eason 2023 lotto pick (hopefully not a bust) Potentially part of the rotation: KPJ (if he is willing to accept a lesser role like 6th man without an attitude) KMJ (if he is not unhappy and demanding a trade) Garuba TyTy (too early to tell could easily fall in the group below) Roster fillers, trade bait, trade fillers, or cut: Ego Fernando Tate Nix Mathews Boban
If you boil down to bare essentials then I definitely put Sengun on the list with Eason being VERY close.
Roster Assets By Tier 1. Jalen Green, Like $100 million in cap space 2. Jabari Smith, 2023 FR 3. Kevin Porter, Jae'sean Tate, Kenyon Martin, Alperen Sengun, Eric Gordon 4.Tyty Washington, Josh Christopher, Tari Eason, Usman Garuba 5. 2023 FRP (Bucks), Trade return for Gordon 6. Nix, Mathews, Fernando, Boban, 2-way contracts
Would you trade everyone and build around Segun? I would guess it's to early and dumb 2 trade Green. But I would literally dump the roster but these two and hire vets around 23-26 years of age who have at least 4 years of exp. Starting by summer 2023 There nothing wrong with hitting reboot button and trying to see what you can get for Jabari, Kpj package at Draft day trade and rest of these kids. I'm saying spend the money on a roster around these 2, and the pick you get this year. Center - SeGun - Pick - FA PF - FA, FA SF - Green FA Sg - FA , Pick PG - Via Trade, FA, New Coach, and trade Eric Gordon àsap.
I think Jabari-Sengun-Green can play well off each other; that’s the core. And I really like having Tari and Jabari on the floor at the same time. The problem is they all need to shoot and defend better. If they can all improve in those two areas, we have the making of a great core. But it’s not gonna happen without a decent floor general, an actual system that suits their strengths , and better coaching.
At this point, you have to say the Rockets core is the owner, his son, and a few role player tax accountant types. It's certainly not the players or the fans.
