I think this is possible and I would like.... Harden / Amari Bailey / Pat Beverley Jaylen Brown / Josh Christopher Jabari Smith / Tari Eason Grant Williams / Usman Garuba Alperen Sengun / Dereck Lively I think that's a 50 win team with potential to be higher depending on development... Gives you 3 strong defenders in the starting lineup. Harden and Sengun would have defense behind them on the depth chart.... Defensive improvement from one of the worst teams to just average should be worth at least 15 wins alone.
They need to somehow get CP3 and still move up from 4 to 2 in the draft and get Scoot. That way you have teacher and student on the same team.
I’d rather have a Scoot Henderson & Jalen Green than sign Harden. Hell I would rather take Simmons and Bridges and give a few of the Nets assets back and a few young players like Josh/TyTy/Garuba/KPJ/Martin etc Something like Scoot/Beverley Green/ Bridges/Eason Jabari/ Sengun/Lively Maybe Simmons could play probably not. I would have some more vets capable of contributing as well. I think that lineup has a higher probability of being better through the next several years than anything Harden.
Draft: Amen and Jett Howard Renounce everyone who is a FA and waive Nix (non GT) 64M in space S&T for Harden @34M (creates space for Philly to sign and trade for FVV to his max). We are going to benefit from this as we help set up the S&T *the Harden thing seems inevitable 30M in space Trade with the Hawks: Garuba for Capela (and a pick swap in 2024 (the worse of ours or OKCs pick for the best of theirs and Sacto). On 2022 standings this doesn't convey. But it is an asset nonetheless. 12.6M in space Trade with Raps and 76ers VanVleet to Philly (into TE) OG, Koloko and a pick swap to Hou KPjr and Sengun and Springer to TOR plus a pick swap from Philly and a 2nd from Philly 13.7M in space Sign Grant Williams for 13.7M per PatBev at 3M (vet min) MLE available for backup C Harden / Beverley / Washington Green / Amen / Christopher Capela / ? / Koloko Smith / Williams / Martin Anunoby / Eason / Tate / Howard Could use Tate as matching salary with assets to find either a starting or backup C. Given that Harden seems like happening, the C spot feels like a rim roller is the way to go
If we somehow get Scoot I would just throw him in as the starting point guard, honestly. He's ready. Bringing him off the bench behind someone else will just slow down his development. If that were the case, I would look to get a young-ish versatile bench guy who plays some great defense (Bruce Brown is my favorite option), plus a PF/C type to complete the frontcourt rotation, and call it a team. Somebody between Scoot/Green/Smith/Sengun will emerge as a star within the next two or three years, maybe more than one of them. If that doesn't happen the rebuild failed no matter what other moves we make and we just gotta pull the plug and start over.
Is it not called the MLE but just a different amount? (7.6 instead of 12.2) That's what I meant anyway
The numbers last year are literally forced downward by management. Even if we had James Harden on the roster last season, we were losing 50+ games whether through messing with the rotation, emptying out our depth or letting a bunch of 20 year olds come up with offense on the fly. Last season's team with Silas, the #4 pick and any vet minimum PG would win 28 this season. That doesn't require anything at all. You must assume organizational tanking has an impact. You can be subjective about that impact, but no front office would tank if they couldn't majorly influence wins on their own without the players buying in. It's silly to me to think a GM cannot take 10 wins away. Other than Hinkie's Sixers no one's team was pushed down harder than ours while tanking. As for improving I think you're assuming there's not a single player on the roster capable of breaking through to All Star status, which I disagree with of course.
I'm not sure how that gets done. Bridges will cost every nets pick. They already turned down 4 #1 picks for him. Then there is nothing left but Green, Sengun, or Jabari to move from 4 to 2 or 3... Kpj, Martin, and 20 will not get you into top 3 picks... Just from what I've read... I'm not sure it's worth moving most of our draft capital at this point unless we're getting a star back. I really like Bridges, but other guys are 80-90% the player for less than half the cost in trade assets.
I miss Capela, but he's on the way down and past his peak. I would rather draft Lively... rim running rim defenders are commonplace now in the draft and easier to develop. See Jarrett Allen, Nic Claxton, Mitchell Robinson, etc.
Best case scenario for a team that can compete next year: Jaylen Brown for #4 and the Nets assets (2 picks, 2 swaps); assumes verbal agreement for mutually acceptable extension Harden in FA at 3y/$120m Grant Williams in FA at 4y/$60 Capela for #20, and KPJ Starters: Harden, Green, Brown, Williams, Capela Bench: Tari, Bari, Sengun, plus min vets and TMLE Not sure if this is feasible from a cap space perspective. We would be sending out at least ~$37m in salary (KPJ, TyTy, JC, Tate, KMJ, Garuba, #20), and would need 3rd teams to take on a few of the players. The Capela trade would be over the cap, but it should fit the 125% rule. These moves would give us some hope of contending in the next couple of years, without losing any of our current young promising talent. Lineup can get bigger and better defensively with Jabari in Green’s place.
Sign me up for the Scoot + CP3 acquisitions. That's a total culture and identity change that would be WHOLESOMELY welcomed. Just the tone those two would set with Udoka get's me excited. That's +10-15 extra wins on that alone. If you can somehow grab a reliable 4/5 option then I really could see 40 wins on the docket next year.
https://theathletic.com/4340781/2023/06/05/jaylen-brown-houston-rockets-mailbag/ Would the Rockets package No. 20 and Kenyon Martin Jr. or Jae’Sean Tate to move up to like 10th? And if so, for what player? — Dorian G. I’m not sure if something like that would appeal to Dallas, especially for a top-10 pick. The Mavericks are in this weird spot where they’re too talented to not push their chips in and compete, but they’re also not good enough as currently constructed to go far in the playoffs and are somewhat limited with their flexibility. Western Conference purgatory. As talented as players like Kenyon Martin Jr. and Jae’Sean Tate are, the Mavericks could probably get a better win-now veteran by moving the 10th pick in the draft. I do, though, like the concept of packaging No. 20 with a player caught in Houston’s wing logjam to possibly upgrade elsewhere. This is something the Rockets are considering as well as the draft edges closer. Brook Lopez is a free agent Houston likes. But let’s say, for example, the Bucks are hell-bent on retaining his services and are more inclined to give him long-term security than a team like the Rockets. That would mean Houston would need to pivot toward other options. If, for example, the front office already has strong signals James Harden would return — and given what Udoka mentioned about seeking different types of big men — does offering Martin and No. 20 make sense for Atlanta’s Clint Capela? Maybe Indiana’s Myles Turner? That’s the kind of structure I would think about if it ever came down to actually moving the pick. For those among the fanbase who are not in love with the idea of trading away the fourth pick plus one of Jalen/Jabari/Al-P (not to mention future firsts) for someone of the Jaylen Brown ilk, what is a realistic combination of pick at No. 4 plus free agency that would position us to be competitive this year and push for a play-in spot? I can’t help but wonder if some of the ancillary young guys could be packaged to help bring in some experience and shooting. —Josh L. It all comes back to free agency. The Rockets plan to bring in three to four veterans this summer to surround their young core and continue to improve. By young core, I’m referring to the quartet of Green, Smith, Tari Eason and Alperen Şengün. I think Harden, Lopez and Dillon Brooks would push the Rockets into that conversation. I’d rather have Cam Johnson over Brooks, but Brooklyn has an inherent advantage in retaining him because of his restricted free agency status. A pure hypothetical here — what combo of draft capital and players would it take to get Jaylen Brown in a Rockets uniform? — James C. I’ve learned my lesson with these. Let’s figure this out. After reading this question, I immediately posed it to my esteemed colleague Jared Weiss, who covers the Celtics. “Boston’s championship window is now and it’s no longer opening,” Weiss said. “They have a brief moment to strike before they have to start rebuilding and trading for prospects doesn’t make sense right now unless Brad Stevens was lying about believing in this core. So unless it’s a three-way deal to bring in a prime superstar and move Houston’s top assets like Green and the fourth pick elsewhere, I don’t see Boston being interested.” So there you have it. The Celtics probably don’t want Green and picks. The Rockets probably don’t want to mortgage a huge chunk of assets like Smith and Eason as well. You’re better off just waiting for next summer, when Brown will hit free agency if he doesn’t sign an extension in the next 12 months.
I really dislike Brooks, but overall, this sounds like a pretty decent approach. Sign Harden, Brooks, and Lopez; draft BPA at 4; and use KJM and/or Tate to move up from 20 into the lottery. So something like... Harden / Green / Brooks / Smith / Sengun Amen / KPJ / Gradey Dick / Eason / Lopez Or if we trade #20 and KJM for someone like Turner... Harden / Green / Brooks / Smith / Sengun Amen / KPJ / Tate / Eason / Turner I mean, that looks pretty good to me overall, and we retain our future draft capital.
I really think Brook Lopez is the second guy, if we get Harden. Heard it mentioned by beat reporters a couple times now. - His strengths maps to Sengun’s weaknesses (drop coverage + floor spacing) - The Bucks will be in the repeater tax and over the second apron if they try to bring him back; seems clear to me they would prefer to bring Middleton back to Lopez - In terms of impact on winning in 23-24, he’d probably be the second best FA changing teams this summer The only question is (a) Can the Rockets appeal to him by being the highest bidder on a short term contract? And (b) would he appreciate platooning with Sengun over the course of the season? Playing 1800-2000 minutes? I see an appeal as he gets older and wants to preserve himself, similar to Horford.
Taking Simmons contract was the part of the trade to really make it happen. I don’t know how much that is worth to them though. In my opinion they will tread water with him there. If they want a mediocre team I guess have at it but you’re not doing anything with that anchor there.
I just don’t see Brook Lopez being interested in joining Houston on a short term deal. He’s not leaving the Bucks, who are perennial title contenders, for one of the worst teams in the league. I just don’t see that as probable and I’m sure the Bucks want him back. Please hell no to Dillion Brooks. He shot terribly last year and likes to knock nutts. Dirty player who can’t back up his talk with actual play. Harden is the best free agent on the market. I’d rather use the money on guys who fit out window, but if Harden wants to be a rocket again, he’s gonna be here. I don’t like the fit, but anything is better than running KPJ and Green back out there. I’d like ti see the rockets kick the tires on Bruce Brown, Josh Hart, Gary Trent Jr, Jakob Poeltl, Naz Reid, Javon Carter, Grant Williams, maybe FVV.
I don't disagree with their approach. They will have max cap space in one year and then Simmons is an expiring contract. They have Bridges, Claxton, and Thomas. That's an excellent starting place for a good team. They have those Suns picks too. I could see them next offseason sign a free agent and then trade Simmons with the suns picks for a star level player. Let's say they sign Siakim and trade the Suns picks and Simmons for Trae Young... Trae Young Cameron Thomas Mikal Bridges Pascal Siakim Nic Claxton That's a decent looking team.... Just speculation on what they are thinking. The probably think players will want to sign or be traded to them.... like Kyrie, Harden, and Durant did...
Or you draft Lively and use the cap space elswhere. I like the idea of Lopez, just not at his age. You definitely get spacing with him you wouldn't with Lively but are more likely to get stuck with a bad contract. He's coming here only for biggest check. We have seen a lot of guys recently like Lively develop quickly... Jarrett Allen Mitchell Robinson Nic Claxton Isaiah Jackson is likely next... Capela was good even as a rookie for just pick and roll and hitting the boards...
