Then there’s this: NBA Central: The Houston Rockets could target Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, per @DraftExpress “The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players. That’s a lot of old players being associated with the Rockets. I like the idea of consolidating for a star, but I don’t like a single name mentioned here.
I heard somewhere that PG’s mom lives in California and is ill. If true, I don’t think he’s going anywhere
It's just hard to envision a price where one of these old 30-something stars makes sense for us. It only really works if we're getting them on the cheap to replace Brooks as a stopgap or whatever. Surely other teams would pay more for the privilege. If we're giving up members of the young core or multiple lottery picks, I'm just not interested.
Spoiler The team history is there! The template is there! Chris Paul traded to the Houston Rockets for Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer, $661k cash & a 2018 1st round pick. He is 34. Would opt in. Would then have to give him a new deal. Traded for Paul(age 32), gave him a new deal, immediately regretted it, traded him and four firsts(2p/2swaps) for Westbrook, Westbrook for Wall/1st, bought out Wall. They replenish the depth lost in the Harden trade. (Covington, Martin, Morris, Batum) 74(2023-24)--56--31--54--48 games played last 5 years. Maybe the best player currently available in an otherwise terrible trade/“star” market. (I know, not saying much. … Young, Murray, Bridges, Ingram, no not Mitchell he appears to be staying for now). Tilman and Ime are ready to win now, not 3 years or 5 years from now. All that said, I probably wouldn’t do it.
I can think of 5 destinations that are preferable to Houston for Paul George, including OKC which would make them a top 2 team imo. I think PG to Houston is a pipe dream.
Learn from the Clippers please and not trade away young talent--->>>> SGA is now an All-star and MVP candidate!!!
My biggest fear is for the Rockets to pre-maturely trade one of their core 6 for an over-the-hill vet like PG. If he can be had for a highly protected Frp and filler then sure, but only as a one-year rental. We need to start out hot, so Tillman doesn’t panic and blow the dynasty up.
I think the thing we have on our side (those of us who don't want to trade for stars/former stars in their mid-30s), is that all of these players are on teams that still want to keep them and compete. The only way these players get traded is if they become disenfrachised with their current team and request a trade to go to a team better set up to contend. None of them would see the Rockets' .500 record that missed the playoffs as a better opportunity than their current team or any number of teams on the rise who have already at least made the playoffs.
For a pupu platter of Brooks + Landale + Tate + 2027 FRP + 2 SRPs = I am pulling the trigger. 4 year extension with team options on Year 3 & 4. Tradeable contract in 2 years. (Of course, Clips probably willing to offer that contract and PG is from Kali)
