Southwest Notes: Rockets, Clingan, Castle, Grizzlies | Hoops Rumors June 10th 2024 at 9:23am CST by Arthur Hill A wing player with size would be the perfect addition to the Rockets‘ current roster, Kelly Iko of The Athletic states in a mailbag column. He adds that the ideal player would be someone who can drive to the basket and create offense for himself and his teammates, pointing to San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson and Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan as examples, although they may not be obtainable. Among realistic free agent targets, Iko names Nuggets shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Raptors swingman Bruce Brown. Both are veterans who can space the floor and fit into coach Ime Udoka’s defensive system, Iko writes. Brown dropped to 32.3% from three-point range this season after shooting 40.4% and 35.8% the previous two years, but Iko notes that Houston assistant coaches Royal Ivey and Tiago Splitter both worked with Brown in Brooklyn and may be able to help him regain his form. Iko contends Caldwell-Pope was worthy of an All-Defense nod this year. Toronto holds a $23MM team option on Brown that has to be picked up by June 28, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be available in free agency. Caldwell-Pope has a $15.4MM player option with a June 29 deadline, and even if he tests the market, Denver figures to make a strong effort to retain one of the key members of its 2022/23 title team. There’s more from the Southwest Division, all from Iko: UConn center Donovan Clingan has been listed as the Rockets‘ pick at No. 3 in several mock drafts, but Iko isn’t convinced that he’s the best choice. Even though Clingan is a potential defensive anchor with a soft touch around the basket, Iko questions his fit alongside Alperen Sengun because neither is a proven three-point shooter. Iko notes that Houston had a top-10 defense this season without a reliable shot blocker, and Udoka likes having defensive versatility so he can adapt to the opponent. Even with the addition of Steven Adams, Iko expects the Rockets to employ smaller lineups next season with Jabari Smith seeing time at center. According to Iko, the Spurs‘ perfect draft would include UConn guard Stephon Castle as No. 4 and a larger wing at No. 8, providing two more young talents to develop alongside Victor Wembanyama. Iko is concerned about Nikola Topic‘s latest ACL injury and says G League forward Matas Buzelis would be a much safer choice if he’s still on the board. Iko also likes Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard for San Antonio, but adds that an ideal situation would involve using the eighth and 35th picks to acquire a veteran guard like Dejounte Murray. Iko advises the Grizzlies to trade down rather than trying to solve their need for a center by taking a project like Indiana’s Kel’el Ware at No. 9. Iko compares Ware to Christian Wood and suggests that Duke’s Kyle Filipowski could be a better fit later in the draft. Iko also considers a pair of potential trade scenarios with the Trail Blazers to land Robert Williams or Malcolm Brogdon.
"Iko's ideal player... Iko advises... Iko suggests.." You know what... I don't give a f*** what Iko thinks... guy is a media troll and is absolutely clueless about basketball in general. If the Rockets are feeding him any information, then it's likely misinformation because the past few drafts the Rockets were dumb enough to let the cat out of the bag and telegraph to the whole league what they were going to do. Nobody should be believing any info or intel that is being let out during draft season because any GM with even average competence is trying to misdirect right now.
Excellent breakdown, Yossi is one of the best regarding cap space in the league. Explained clearly, with sample trades, scenarios, why the Rockets are in a terrific place going forward.
Were I Stone this is what I'd do this summer: Trade Tate to Cleveland for a future pick and filler (send Jae'Sean home) Trade #3 & #44 to Portland for #7, #34 & Rayan Rupert Why Portland does it: Simply to move up for Clingan. Portland needs to embrace rebuilding around Scoot and Sharpe. Clingan would join that core and replace Ayton (who, along with Grant and maybe SImons should be shopped at the deadline for picks and/or prospects). The cost to move up is pretty modest for Portland so I dont see why they wouldnt. Why Houston does it: I think Shepard is still there at 7 so the Rockets get the guy theyd select at 3 (see below) and they pick up a prospect in Rupert that they were high on last summer. Rupert would probably spend some time at RGV but he played some last season and shot 36% from 3 as a 19 year old rookie. I think he can grow into a Trey Murphy, 3 and D type role player at shooting guard. Would be a nice guy for 10-15 off the bench behind Green I think. Moving up to 34 ensures the Rockets get Adem Bona to be their rim running, shot blocking backup 5. Let him sit for a while behind Adams before taking over and playing the Robert Williams role in Ime's scheme. Draft 1 - Atl - Sarr 2 - Wash - Risacher 3 - Port - Clingan 4 - SAS - Castle 5 - Det - Buzelis 6 - Cha - Salaun 7 - Hou - Shepard Roster 1 - FVV/Amen/Shepard 2 - Green/Cam/Rupert 3 - Brooks/Amen/Cam 4 - Smith/Eason/Bona 5 - Sengun/Adams/Bona
Slow offseason/news day for sure CBS: Ranking all 30 HC jobs Spoiler Instead, we'll judge which of the 30 jobs would appeal most to a typical coach on the basis of these six categories: •How stable is ownership, and how involved is it in basketball decisions? •Has ownership proven willing to spend on both players and off-court personnel? •How stable is the front office, and what kind of track record does it have? •How much job security does a typical coach with this team have? •How talented is the roster, today, particularly when it comes to star-level players? •How well-positioned is that roster for long-term success? 1. Oklahoma City Thunder 2. Boston Celtics 3. Denver Nuggets 4. San Antonio Spurs 5. Dallas Mavericks 6. New York Knicks 7. Orlando Magic 8. Philadelphia 76ers 9. Miami Heat 10. Memphis Grizzlies 11. Minnesota Timberwolves 12. Indiana Pacers 13. New Orleans Pelicans 14. Golden State Warriors 15. Cleveland Cavaliers 16. Utah Jazz The Jazz and Rockets are in somewhat similar positions. Neither has a true face of the franchise type, but Lauri Markkanen is the only proven All-Star on either side. Both have extra picks to wield in trades, but Utah's war chest is deeper. Both have rich owners, but Ryan Smith doesn't have quite as much of a track record for involvement on the basketball side, instead trusting Danny Ainge, a far more proven general manager than Rafael Stone, to run the team. Job security in Utah is strong, as the Jazz have had only six full-time coaches since moving to Salt Lake City in 1979, but Smith didn't own the team for most of that run. For the Jazz job to rise to the top half of this list, Ainge probably needs to pick a direction. Either trade Markkanen now, fully embrace a rebuild that never quite came and load up for the stellar 2025 NBA Draft, or go the other way and use some of that draft capital to meaningfully improve the team. Those picks represent Utah's upside, but until we know how they're used, the Jazz are only a promising job, not necessarily a great one. 17. Houston Rockets The Rockets are a bit of a mystery box at this point, but a promising one. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green have both had All-Star-caliber stretches, but neither is a proven franchise cornerstone. The young talent beyond those two is unproven but exciting, especially Amen Thompson. If he ever learns to shoot, he's going to be the best player in this core. Houston owes some of its own picks to the Thunder, but makes up for it by controlling Brooklyn's first-rounders through 2027. The books are relatively clean, and while Tilman Fertitta is known to meddle in basketball manners and was relatively cheap in his first few years owning the Rockets, he's gained significant personal wealth since then and figures to be capable of at least paying the tax should the need arise. Rafael Stone may have taken an untraditional route to running the Rockets front office, but he's handled the role well since then. Ultimately, this job's upside is tied to Houston's ability to find a superstar. The Rockets don't have an heir to James Harden as the face of their franchise, but they have the tools to find one. If they do? This becomes a much better job. 18. Milwaukee Bucks 19. Sacramento Kings 20. Los Angeles Lakers 21. Los Angeles Clippers 22. Brooklyn Nets 23. Toronto Raptors 24. Phoenix Suns 25. Charlotte Hornets 26. Detroit Pistons 27. Portland Trail Blazers 28. Atlanta Hawks 29. Washington Wizards 30. Chicago Bulls
This is the only dude who thinks the Jazz and Rockets situation is similar. At a certain point Lauri can't be labeled as a "young buding star". He's 27. The Rockets have 4 guys arguably with higher ceilings than him all younger than 23. The Rockets had a better record than the Jazz while having 5 guys in the rotation (Tari barely played unfortunately) with heavy minutes being 22 or younger. The Jazz are a **** team with their highest ceiling player in the middle of his prime rather than "up and coming". **** analysis.
Just spit ballin here for those opposed to trading the #3 pick... what if you could get Jimmie Butler AND Jonathan Isaac AND keep #3? I know a lot would have to break right, but it's not IM-possible. Trade #1: HOU - MIA MIA: Green (HOU) + Brooks (HOU) + 2025 HOU FRP (top 5 protected) HOU: Himmy (MIA) Trade #2: HOU - CHI - ORL CHI: Anthony (ORL) + Howard (ORL) + Tate (HOU) + Landale (HOU) + Ingles (ORL) + #18 (via ORL) + 2 2026 SRPs (via HOU) Bulls move off Lavine's contract for a couple of 2nds and intriguing young prospects. Ingles does not have to be included, but could be. Bulls can be a player in 2025 FA as they start their rebuild. ORL: Lavine (CHI) + #11 (via CHI) + 2027 HOU FRP (top 5 protected) + 2029 HOU FRP (lottery protected - becomes 2 SRPs if not conveyed in 2029) Magic get 3 level scorer at SG. Magic move up 7 spots for taking on Lavine's contract (can renounce Fultz & Harris for needed space). Picks up 1 lightly protected FRP for Isaac with potential for a 2nd. HOU: Isaac (ORL) Htown trades 2 future FRPs for Isaac. Throw whole NT-MLE at Jalen Smith. Sign Mo Bamba with BAE. FVV (27) - #3 (Sheppard) (DNQ) - #44 (AJJ) (DNQ) Himmy (22) - Amen (81) - Hinton Isaac (61) - Cam (170) - Uncle Jeff Bari (138) - Tari (DNQ) - Jalen Smith (87) Sengawd (32) - Adams (DNQ) - Mo Bamba Not quite Dream & the Miracles.... but Alpi in the paint with 4 guys who can hit the 3 and defend. Bench of Sheppard + Amen + Cam + Tari + Adams / Jalen Smith is lethal to boot. 11 player 6'7 or taller. Ship! The next year cap goes up + can trade FVV (or just decline option) + Adams $$ + Uncle Jeff $$ Sheppard - AJJ Himmy - Amen Isaac (new deal) - Cam Bari - Tari Sengawd (new deal) - Jalen Smith Repeat champs! A brotha can dream!
Jimmy is not going to give us a shot at a championship. What's with wanting to trade for Jonathan Isaac and signing Mo Bamba as well? Why do people still see potential in Mo Bamba? Why the hell are we trading 2 firsts for Jonathan Isaac (damaged goods). This seems more suitable for the random trade thread.
"Do you want a shot at being mid for a decade" is the more reasonable question to ask when someone wants to trade 22 year old Jalen Green for 35 year old Jimmy Butler.
I disagree. I think Jimmy definitely gives a shot at a championship. He's been in the playoffs every year since his 2nd IIRC. Got to up the risk profile if you want to win. Risk it for the biscuit. Bamba on a BAE of $2M upsets you? That's darn bear above the minimum. It could be Goga Bitadze for all I care. I think Isaac for 2 FRPs in the mid 20s ain't the worst thing in the world. Anyway... my thoughts. Nobody said you have to agree. Fan forum and all...
Pretty much. Until you know what you have in Green and Thompson. This is Greens last chance to show he's a keeper I think. Either he's close to what he's been at his best or he's traded. I think Brooks is gone at the deadline too.
