Wonder if he's thinking he can get FVV without giving up assets, on a short enough deal not to mess up our flexibility too much.
What do teams covet the most: 1. Superstar players. 2. Young up and comers on great contracts. We have #2. Get'r done Stoner!!
I just hope the day accomplishes more than just getting Amen (or whoever) and were done. Need to move some pieces around.
It has been an interesting tenure for Stone. He really had no choice in trading Harden and Westbrook. So far, I am not overly impressed with the return for either but neither move has really hurt the Rockets either. The Nets played the KD trade to perfection, the Rockets did not with Harden, but it should be pointed out that Harden pushed the Rockets move him after the Rockets drug their feet. The Westbrook trade is just whatever. The Wizards turned Westbrook into positive value but whatever. I think the Rockets should have just cut Wall and ended all of it right then - and it would have kept Wall from speaking publicly about the organization. So I give him a: "C" overall for the trades to get out from under Harden, Westbrook, etc. In the draft lottery, Stone kind of did not have a lot of choice. Jalen Green was viewed by most as the #2 player in the draft, and the #3 player (Mobley) made it clear that he did not want to be a Rocket. The next year he picked #3 in the draft in what was viewed as a three player draft, and took the player that everyone would have taken at #3. This year he is going to take the player at #4 that is widely viewed as the 4th best player. His picks outside the top 10 have been good - Sengun is very good and Eason is a strong pick as well.
Sad to say, it really looks like the window to do well has almost closed all the way. Stars or superstars who are looking to leave because the team won't pay up, or won't give them a roster good enough to compete, those are the only real targets for us. A lot of them are already on the move, and they typically end up picking their destination, which is usually a borderline contending team with assets that can complete a legitimate trade. The Rockets unfortunately is NOT one of those. We should've been competitive last year so that we can get someone in the FA this year. But since we didn't, and we tanked instead, just have to do a really great job drafting.
Stone has assembled what could be the most athletically gifted team of all time. No hyperbole, these guys are crazy athletic now. But can they play basketball? Should be fun to watch.
Depending on how they develop over the years, at the pick positions he's had Stone could be one of the best drafting GMs we've had and perhaps in the league. Potential means you haven't done anything yet, but excellent job working with your draft spots.
