[Official] 2023 Rafael Stone's post-Trade Deadline media availability

He steal signs or something?

 

The free agent pool this summer doesn't look good. Harden is the overall #1...

Maybe D'Angelo Russell.....

Here is a list of Summer 2023 free agents: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35427676/nba-free-agents-team-team-lists-2023-2024
*NOTE: List shows players on pre-trade deadline teams*


I voted mixed because this is the worst year to have max cap space based on available free agents...

 

James Harden
Kris Middleton
Fred Van-Vleet
Jerami Grant
Cameron Johnson
Keldon Johnson
Ayo Donsunmu

If Stone doesn't add at least one of these names to the roster come FA I say we riot.


These are the only 7 FA's I'd be excited about and it's composed of 3 RFA's and 4 self-respecting players, things aren't looking too hot fellas.

 

Porzingis could be a good signing as well.

 

"We're trying to build something, and I do think we improved the team, at least from the perspective of what we're trying to do."

~Hedge Honcho

 

That is some Tyler Herro skillset, this board has history with Herro threads.

 

I don't think the modern star is all about the money.

In the past maybe, but nowadays they factor in myriad of other motivations.

Half of the league would be after Jaylen.

 

Who would like the rockets to try to trade for?

 

Tyus Jones
Jonathan Isaac
Kawhi Leonard
Jarred Vanderbilt
TJ McConnell

 

Ayton?
I was watching Suns-Hawks game last night, slept at the third quarter. Until that time Capela got 15 rebs and Ayton was ZERO. What an overrated guy. I should check the rebs numbers now but will be very surprised if he ended up 3 or more.

Edith Piaf: Ayton got 2 rebs in 30 minutes while Capela grabbed 17. 8 of Capela's was offensive.

 

That's a damn good last

Damn good, I've literally thought each of those players as targets myself. My thoughts on Leonard are in the insane chance Harden comes back and we look to land a star what are teams that might implode, LA feels like a candidate with PG or KL being moved, but what kept coming back to me is the thought of Steve Ballmer... just can't see it.

 

Jordan Poole is just lightskin Kevin Porter lol

 

I would love to know which pick we get at the lottery and go from there.

I hope we could get someone like Mikal Bridges and don't have to part with 4 FRP that'd a bit insane.

 

Not a ringing endorsement. Reading between the lines, Stone will wait to the off-season to talk about Silas and why Stone had to fire him.

 

Stone didn’t really handle the question about Silas’ future well. He could have given a more ambiguous show of support.

As for cap space, we aren’t the only ones with cap space but he is right that the Rockets will have about 60 million in cap space. Spending it just to spend it is my concern, and that’s a huge mistake. The reality is that the Rockets are not going to be a remotely attractive place for players to sign. So that means either pay star money for non stars or trading for a player that is solid but over paid.

Will doing that help the Rockets win games? Yes, it will move them out of the very bottom but paying solid players too much is a recipe for disaster long term. I would rather they see if they can get John Collins for very few assets and maybe sign Cameron Johnson or look at Tyus Jones.

Other than flubbing the Silas question, his press conference was fine. He isn’t a very telegenic person or a good speaker, but he answered the questions most fans had and while he told a lot of half truths, most GM’s do in these types of set ups.

Stone is banking on adding players that are professional, and make the right cuts and rotations and are dependable will help improve the games of Green and Smith and others. It likely will, I just don’t know how much, as there has already been some damage done to the young players.

Whether someone likes Stone or not, this is going to be a very interesting and busy 6 months coming up and fans should enjoy it. The draft has the chance to really up lift the Rockets if they get a top 2 pick. Even if the Rockets draft 3-4, they are getting players that have the legitimate upside to start for the Rockets for the next decade. Then there will be a new coach most likely… and free agency and trades.

 

Hopefully a new coach will get good free agents to give us a look.

 

Kelly: “What is your view on the struggles this team has gone through this season?”

Stone: “Um. Um. I’m struggling with the word struggle”

A lot of smart-ass responses like this throughout the presser lol

 

If we don't get a Wemby or Scoot this draft, Stone and Silas both need to go.

 

I want no part of Kyrie or Westbrook, the feeling is probably mutual.

Uncle Harden returns to Houston arc is tempting if we land Wemby but that's a 14% (or less) chance. Plus he's got all his guys in Philly, I'm not sure bailing on his squad (no matter the jersey) to come teach the baby Rockets how to play basketball is preferable than title runs. Unless we get Wemby lol then and only then would I believe he considers it. I mean does Harden want to take a big discount to bring some of his guys with?

Khris Middleton? Does he want "his own team"? Hasn't he enjoyed being the Robin to Giannis' Batman? Houston probably not the only team that would offer him a max.

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I think what we'll see, unless it's a Wemby/Harden bombshell, is the team handing an extension to Martin and overpaying a couple mid-level FA.

 

I guess we’re primed to trade picks and players for stars already on contracts. This seems like a great place for a superstar team up. Hopefully there are a few that want to play together and would consider Houston. I wonder who the next stars will be that want to force their way out? Seems like it doesn’t matter how long they’re signed for anymore there can just request a trade. Plus Houston has to be a more desirable place to go city and lifestyle wise than Detroit, San Antonio or OKC right?