Donovan Clingan is the perfect fit for the Houston Rockets.

If they have the starting PG of the future, which they would have if they drafted Sheppard, there's no justifying paying FVV 44 million dollars just to get in the way.

Given the age of the team, FVV isn't going y be around by the time the bulk of the team has aged up to the point where the team will be trying to win.

Also guys like Sengun, Jabari, and Tari will need new contracts soon, it just wouldn't make sense to extend FVV

 

Rockets need to extend Sengun. They'll extend Jabari next offseason as well. Tari they'll probably let go to RFA. Jalen for sure will go to RFA if not traded by the deadline. They can't tie up their money any more in Fred. Dillon is going to be 20 mill per year. Jabari's extension will be probably 30-35 per year. Sengun's will be 35-40. Just between those guys we'd be at 90 million. Then you have the Rookie scaled contracts of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard (or whomever we draft), and Cam Whitmore which would all amount to about 21 million so that gets us to about 111 million with a cap of 140. So that's 29 million left. We will need to extend one of Whitmore/Thompson if not both by then.

By next year I think we can either offer FVV something in the mid teens to be the backup PG or he can go do the same thing for another team. Dillon might also have to be on the trade block the year Amen/Cam become extension eligible. Amen is also going to be expensive.

 

I’d like to get off that Dillon Contract. Solves two problems: frees up money and frees up minutes for Tari, Cam and Amen. Really think it’s important to move off Dillon.

 

That’s one reason many of us prefer Sheppard. He can back up FVV and pair with Amen. We really don’t have a backup PG and were terrible with FVV off the floor for most of the season. I can see him getting 10 minutes a night pretty quickly.

 

I’m pretty set on him being a solid prospect, but to say he’s the perfect fit is far far from the truth.

I think the perfect fit in the center position to complement Sengun honestly is already on the team. Steven Adams. He will do wonders in transition for the team. I think we should be patient and see how it plays out. And people overlooks the fact that Steven Adams has an enormous wingspan at 7’5”. If he rehabs back to normal he’s a menace at 5.

I hate to admit that there is a chance that Clingan might be BPA when it comes to the 3rd pick, I’d explore trading down / out if that’s the case given the buzz and demand he’s receiving.

 

Rooting against Jalen again, I see. View never changes in Haterville, does it?

 

I think Clingan must have a great agent. He is Smaller, shorter, less skilled, worse shooter, less athletic, slower, and all-around worse player than Zach Edey. But somehow, he is being marketed as a switch defender and rim defender even though every highlight is non-NBA guys getting past him off the dribble and his 2.5? blocks per game are against guys that can't even touch the rim. He will get dominated against NBA level talent just like he did when he faced Edey.

 

Frankly, I don't see how he fits at all.

 

I think the best fit guy is Sheppard. But I don't think fit should be the top criterion for the Rockets.
Still, he'd look great as a backup PG/SG learning from FVV.

Clingan or Sarr could lead to a shakeup in the PF/C spots going forward.

Castle/Risacher/Topic could do the same for the wing position.

 

Not only is he a great fit, but he’s the BPA. That’s why most mock drafts have him going at 3.

 

Yeah I can see that. Though for some of those mock drafts I've read, they were saying that Sheppard makes the most sense for the Rockets given their need for shooting. In other words, an argument for fit.

I'd be interested in adding someone like Clingan, but I'd be fine if the Rockets decide Sheppard's their guy.

 

I would try to extend Tari long term at a reasonable amount, as soon as that is possible.

Would let Jalen go to RFA if he hasn't gotten consistent or hasn't been traded by then.

 

The Rockets have a floor spacing issue and we are planning to draft another player that can"t shoot the 3? I'm good. Sarr looks like he will be a work in progress but if he can hit the 3 looks like the player with the most potential. If we can't get him then just trade the pick. Sheppard is 6'1 with a 6'3 wingspan and looks like a perma 6th man or play the Steve Kerr bulls role. This draft looks depressing as hell.

 

Reed Sheppard is the perfect fit.

 

I did not know that Clingan had injury issues. Crap.

 

Didn't want him anyway

 

Yeah, I know I'm in the shrinking minority who thinks otherwise LOL.

If he's got some history with foot injuries, that's a big red flag.
The Rockets will definitely have to do their homework if they're considering him.

 

My concern with that is that Sheppard didn't even play point guard. I just don't see any reason whatsoever to believe he can get minutes in that role before Amen.

 

“Clingan and Sheppard have separated themselves from the likes of Stephon Castle, Sarr and Risacher on Houston’s big board, league and team sources said. Clingan, the 20-year-old big man, is believed to be the current leader, seen as the only player who fits all three categories.” — Kelly Iko