If you could get him for free like that i’m ok with it, the contract is awful though (and he wouldn’t take it). I would rather not have him than have him on that deal though
I think that price is far too steep. Booker alone doesn't instantly make this roster a contender. Hell, they haven't been "real contenders" with Durant and Beal who are probably better players "right now" than anyone on this roster. Considering that, how far away would the Rockets be if PHX can't contend with that talent? To start with, that Brooklyn 27 pick may be the most valuable asset in the entire league. The Brooklyn 27 and the PHX 29 are not up for debate (on this deal). Then 3 of the core 7? Both Green & Cam plus Tari?? .... that's just too much without the draft assets. I'll give you Green, Brooks, Uncle Jeff their 25 swap & their own 27 pick. take it or leave it, otherwise I'm content giving Green one last opportunity to prove himself.
We are loaded with great picks and great young players. There will be a ton of options this year and next year for trades. We can wait and see how the youngsters are progressing before doing anything. Really there’s nothing to do anyway. Nobody available is worth giving our assets away for. Phoenix is our only hope this year to get a difference maker and it is highly unlikely they are bad enough by the trade deadline to blow it up. Maybe if the Bucks struggle again Giannis might want out in the off-season.
FVV is a lot better than Beal. Sengun is better than Beal. Amen probably will be better this coming season than Beal. The rest of the Rockets roster even after this trade is a lot deeper than the Suns not counting Durant. Also, while Durant, Beal, and Booker mostly take turns on offense (i.e., not a good fit), Booker likely fits very well with the Rockets. I see the Suns as mostly Booker and Durant. This trade would put the Rockets likely the 4th or 5th seed in the West without any growth from Sengun, Jabari, and Amen. I'd gamble on one of those 3 making a jump this season.
The first 31 games for the Suns are brutal. I'd say it is unlikely they would be ready to deal at trade deadline, but with Durant's age and coming off the Olympics, I wouldn't say highly. Caveat: While I really like Booker, he is going to have a tough time beating playoff teams if Durant isn't playing well.
If Green makes a leap in another team then in hindsight it would be a bad trade if you are getting someone of Green's archetype back because at that point why not just keep the guy you drafted who is much younger? This scenario of yours works if Green is traded for someone who fills another need that isn't a primary scoring option.
We need a superhero type player to get our team nationally recognized. We need his marquee status to get us games on a global scale so we can introduce our young talent to the world. We are such a likable team with marketable players. No one other than us or true diehard fans knows about us. That is the ONLY way any of our young core will start to take the “next step”. We can be the best team with great talent but will get blocked in the playoffs by league because nobody knows us and they can’t make money off us.
Laughing hard at Jalen is ascending. He was horrible last year, except for a 11 game stretch against shitty teams.
When I see trades that have Tari Eason and Amen Thompson in them, even when trading for superstars... I just don't like it. I get the ick. I really want them to see what those two defensive hand grenades do on the court at the same time. Also Steven Adams. I want to see the offensive rebounding with those three. With Reed Sheppard and Cam throwing up shots. Man can the damn season start already...
I'd have no problem with Tari or Amen being traded for a superstar. That said, either of them being treated as just a throw in is a big no, and that is how I've seen them in speculative trades.
I kinda feel the same way. Those two just play "winning basketball". Put them with the right star and this team is a real threat. Who that star is - that's the question.
I'm pleased that the Rockets are creating cap space for a big FA in 2025 while retaining the young upcoming players. Let's hope for the best.
I am going to be very curious to observe who that star player is going to be that is supposed to be much better than the potential of the top prospects here.
I feel like we’ve got lots of #2 type guys, but I don’t see a #1 guy yet. To me Amen and Sengun are the closest thing, but both are missing important dimensions of their games that they may not be capable of developing. Those are the two you for sure keep, but we need to be agressive to find a legit #1 on our development timeline.
I’ve grown skeptical of free agency as a viable way to find a core piece. For sure I think u can overpay guys like Fred on a short-term deal, but Fred probably shouldn’t have even hit the market, and most of the really good players don’t. It feels more valuable for contending teams or teams trying to start crawling out of the basement. I like free agency because u can get players without giving up assets, but it will be interesting to me who’s available. I’m not confident FA is gonna net us a core piece.
The NBA put some rules in place to try to keep players with their team, but it really just changed the way players switch teams. Very few players from this list are outright free agents; they mostly have some sort of option that will need to be declined. Even then, it's not a super impressive list.
You are right, there are sub types of #1 and #2s... That would be rarefied air. The Rox struck out and missed out on the Clear Number 1. Now hope for the disgruntled Number 1.
Mostly agree. FVV's deal doesn't have much surplus value, but not an overpay. FVV is probably one of the better FA deals (i.e., if you are going for cap space, probably should be looking for trades).
