They will have room to sign Siakim after this next season? if that's the case they are in better position than i thought.
I like 2 of the 3 bolded. Grant Williams ain't my favorite, but just makes a ton of sense. i think the Knicks will move Frenchie (probably to Spurs) to open up space to keep Hart. Gary Trent Jr. has some appeal (but I think Raptors keep him & Poeltl).
Re: Brook Lopez, the Bucks can't realistically bring back Middleton and Lopez unless Middleton takes a frankly unlikely paycut. Their ownership would have to pay a >$50M repeater tax bill to re-sign Lopez, on top of his salary. The Bucks ownership is not the Clippers' or Golden State's. Separately I don't see Lopez turning down something close to 2x the AAV the Bucks could offer to move elsewhere. I'm sure he enjoys it in Milwaukee, but players don't turn down that degree of salary difference. The big question, IMO, is whether Houston could outbid and out-appeal other destinations. OKC, SAS, ORL all have space to give him a big short-term contract (say $50M/2 yrs), would value his archetype, and would be more appealing in terms of winning. Rockets could offer more, and some of those teams may take different routes, but I think it's more likely than not Lopez is somewhere other than Milwaukee next season.
Spotrac has them there pretty easy... Simmons, Bridges, and Finney-Smith are their only guaranteed contracts totaling about 69 million. There are free agents they would have to let go on holds. Then unused roster spot charge. 2 guys are on club options for about 4 million each. So if they keep those 2 and cut loose all but Claxton's hold they are at about 106 million. Cap is 134 million. So they would have 28 million. They would have to unload Dorian Finney-Smith to get to 42 million. So it depends on the player they target and cost to unload that deal... They may prefer to move Smith-finney in a trade instead of Simmons. Almost similar money (28 v 40) but spread over 2 years... depends on a trade target... another team may value spread out cap hit or the player more than Simmons.
Raptors could be in play for Lopez if Poeltl gets too expensive. Bulls may have same issue with Vucevic. Suns in a sign and trade maybe to get out of Ayton deal... He is one worth waiting on. The market is limited. A lot of teams are set at 5 and there are several options this free agent season. May be musical chairs and last one of the big men standing without a deal is taking MLE money... that's when I would have interest....
Has anybody read the new provisions in the CBA? It seems like it will be harder for teams to keep a lot of high-priced stars and well-compensated role players.
From what I read it shrinks the wiggle room on deals for salary matches. You used to have to get within like 25% and that buffer is gone. They also lose MLE easier too I believe. Leaves only 2 ways to do it: 1) Players take heavy discounts Or 2) you sign 2 stars while a third is on a rookie deal and you already have your role players. I think the Rockets are in position for 2 so it shouldn't be too bad. The key is to keep picks in the future that can be used for cheap role players. That makes it more sustainable.
Houston out: Christopher, KMJ & pick 4 Houston in: picks 6 & 11 Why?: Opens up 2 roster spaces for vets and nets an additional lottery pick. Only makes sense if they view Walker, Hendricks or Whitmore in the same category as Amen. Orlando out: picks 6 & 11 Orlando in: Christopher, KMJ and pick 4 Why?: Orlando has drafted well and has an obvious core of young guys in Paolo, Wagner, and Carter. Fultz could also be a piece. They do need help on the wing which both JC and KMJ could provide. Orlando also would have their choice of Amen, Ausar or Cam Whitmore in this scenario. I just dont see them picking 2 more rookies in this draft. Houston out: pick 20 Houston in: TJ McConnell and picks 26, 29 Why?: Acquire another vet and draft capital. Indiana out: TJ McConnell and picks 26, 29 Indiana in: pick 20 Why?: Haliburton and Nembhard will soak up most minutes at point guard so they save some money and move up in the draft a little bit. Draft 6 - Jarace Walker 11 - Bilal Coulibaly 26 - Dariq Whitehead or Nick Smith 29 - James Nnaji Free Agency Sign Harden, Grant Williams and Naz Reid Harden/McConnell/Washington Green/KPJ/Harden KPJ/Eason Smith/Williams Sengun/Reid RGV: Coulibaly, Whitehead or Smith, Nnaji - Rockets start to develop a true farm team of prospects to later fill in as vets get to expensive or retire
Houston's options at No. 4 Wembanyama, Henderson and Brandon Miller are widely thought to be the three best players in this draft class, putting the Rockets at an interesting spot with the No. 4 pick. Houston has had two top-five picks in consecutive years, drafting Jalen Green in 2021 and Jabari Smith Jr. in 2022. There are rumors the Rockets will make a play to bring back James Harden and they just hired Ime Udoka as head coach. The organization is hoping this is the season it turns the corner in the rebuild process, and adding another player from this talented draft class is going to be instrumental. If the Rockets are looking at the best-available prospect at No. 4, Amen Thompson has made a strong case for how dominant he was as a primary ball-handler for Overtime Elite. The Rockets could also be targeting Cam Whitmore, who brings more size and is more versatile. Whitmore doesn't need the ball in his hands to impact the game and is a better shooter (off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations) than Thompson. Defensively, Thompson is the better on-ball defender and his athleticism is off the charts. Both players are hard-nosed guards who love to compete. It might come down to a deep-dive on film and who will potentiality fit better alongside Harden and the other current guards. Mock Draft First Round 1. San Antonio Spurs: C Victor Wembanyama Ht./Wt.: 7-4, 209 pounds | Metropolitans 92 (France) 2. Charlotte Hornets: G Scoot Henderson Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 196 pounds | G League Ignite 3. Portland Trail Blazers: G/F Brandon Miller Ht./Wt.: 6-9, 205 pounds | Class: Freshman | Alabama 4. Houston Rockets: G Amen Thompson Ht./Wt.: 6-7, 202 pounds | Overtime Elite 20. Houston Rockets: G/F Leonard Miller Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 215 pounds | G League Ignite
Does KJ Martin, Christopher and #20 get you Capella? I think that would fill a major need for us and he’s on a good contract for the next two seasons.
I want to see Houston do everything possible to move up to #2 to get Scoot Henderson. Our franchise player is within reach. If we have to give up one of our core to get to #2, we’ve got to do it. I doubt next year’s Brooklyn pick will be enough. Scoot “no matter what”.
I would send Tari + #4 + additional draft considerations, but not Green/Smith/Sengun. At least, not in addition to #4.
Not sure about the comp but I'd love to get him. Let him develop at RGV for a year and he'd be a nice add next season. Feel similar about Rupert too.
#4,KMJ and 2024 Brooklyn pick top 10 protected for #2. 2024 pick turns into 2026 top 10 protected if it doesn’t convey in 2024. #20, Christopher, Tate, Washington to Orlando for #11. #2-Henderson #11-Lively FA Josh Hart 3 years 25 million per. Pat Beverly 2 years 6 million per Brook Lopez 1 year 29 million team option on 2nd year. Sengun/Lopez/Lively Smith/Garuba Hart/Eason Green/Porter Henderson/Bev
I wouldn't give up any of Green/Jabari/Sengun but I believe we have enough to convince them anyway. #4 + 2 future picks + absorbing Rozier's terrible contract instantly rebuilds their franchise. They would have a core of #4, Lamelo, Bridges and Williams. They can also now package Hayward's $30m with our two future picks for an upgrade. They would even have cap space IIRC. Can they say no to that? How about if we throw in Tate and KJ who are two excellent well-priced role players? I really think we have a chance at grabbing Scoot and I have a good feeling about it.
I think we could probably get something done. Work with a third team if they want a more established player. I agree it's possible. I'm just not convinced the Rockets actually want to pay a lot to get Scoot. I personally think they should, but it doesn't appear they view there to be as large of a gap between Scoot and Amen as most of us do. That could be wrong and maybe they're just playing hard to get to keep the price down though. I guess we'll find out.
