To me, there is uncertainty on what we have (it could be great or it could be bad). I will say the Rockets probably can afford 3 max deals (4 rookie max extensions for maybe a season or two, but not long term) such that at some point the Rockets will likely have to trade a least a couple of the Core 7. Saying there is nothing to be gained by adding a star is a very one-sided look at things, IMO, as it is possible the young players dealt would not develop much further. Waiting is a decision and would allow the Rockets time to see if trading for a star was a good decision or a bad decision. If passing on a star was a bad decision, gaining the knowledge by waiting was a bad decision and was the wrong move. There are generally ways for most decisions to go way right or way wrong. To me, there are 3-4 players that I would not wait on if they became available for a good price that I think would be worth the risk of trading 1-2 of the young players (especially if it is only Jalen Green who could become more expensive starting next season). Edit: I think the trade deadline is likely the earliest a star get moved so probably there won't be a need for a decision soon. The big thing with trading for a star is that the Rockets should not go all in. I think the Rockets will likely have a ton of flexibility even after acquiring a star if one became available. Also, I am pretty focused on Booker as Phoenix seems to have tthe best chance of having an injury, hard early season schedule along with salay problems that could make him available (i.e., if Durant misses a lot of time early next season, Phoenix could know they are a lottery team before the deadline). I think Phoenix would want their picks more than multiple young players.
He helped in those 40 games, but what about the other 30-40 when he was either stinking it up, was injured, ejected or in foul trouble? You are basically paying good dollar for half a season. The 41-41 season mirrors what went on with Brooks too, the Good, Bad and Ugly. Without FVV, he would have helped the team to 33 Wins and that was about it.
I didn't understand your opening sentence. I'll concede the career year, but where was the bar? All it takes for him to have a career year is 42% FG. I never said he was disappointing, I said I respected what he brought. I did say he was overpaid, so maybe I'm splitting hairs on that one. I think one can say he was good for our team last season and overpaid. I realize that 7 rookie contracts are contributing factor to him being the 2nd highest paid. The problem, albeit a good problem, is that I believe at least 2 players are capable of outplaying him, 3 if Cam improves at all this season despite me feeling that Cam is a 2. He can help the Rockets 30 minutes a game, but myself and many others feel that Eason and Thompson can help the Rockets more. Please feel free to bump this when he gets traded for a first rounder, but I I'm just not seeing it.
Last season has happened and last season does not likely mirror the future perfectly. He's got a long track record and he's still at an age that suggests he's going to be a good defender in most of the games played going forward on this contract(i.e., last season's problems probably were not mostly age related). I'm expecting more Good even when the Good is Ugly, than Bad. Yes, if FVV didn't play with the Rockets, they would have been a 33ish win team. FVV does exist, though. Sengun does as well. Brooks played very well with those 2. Not so much with Jabari and Green. I expect Jabari's defense will improve...just don't know if it will be there this season or next. Green either is going to be well more consistently or Udoka is going to find someone else to play when Brooks, FVV, and Sengun are in the game. Outside of March, Green and Jabari were the problems on the starting lineup even with Brooks not playing as well as he usually does.
Just a caveat, my view of Brooks is that I think I'm more likely right than wrong. There is still a good chance that he sucks it up going forward and my overall opinion of him is wrong (i.e., you could be right). I just would side with that the Rockets should keep Brooks unless a team is willing to give up something of value for him (i.e., if there was a team with cap space or a trade exception that was willing to take Brooks in exchange for a Top 55 protected pick, I would say no).
I don't see this as a problem. The Rockets have no financial motivation regarding his salary not being on the books this season other than to line Tilman's pockets. I expect he'll be more valuable as a trade chip next offseason (I do think the Bucks should try to trade for him this season, but that would be complicated trade). Rockets just need someone to step up/be acquired to handle the offensive load with FVV and Sengun such that Amen, Tari, Brooks, Adams, Landale, and Tate can be used with them to be a great defense.
I think you misread the post, I said there's no benefit in doing it now. We're not winning a title this season so we can have our cake and eat it too. There's nothing magical about someone being available so we might as well find out who's not panning out. We can acquire players nearer the deadline. The risk of losing someone for nothing is so small it's not worth worrying about imo. We can match anything we want so we control more of our destiny than most.
Teams typically do not wait long to trade a star once they decide to move him such that waiting is a decison to not acquire a star that would likely play on the Rockets for the next 6 years. While I think odds are good a star won't be available soon, I think the idea of passing up on one if available to wait is not wise. On now, I can't predict perfectly how the upcoming season will go. I'd guess a 45ish win season. However, I think the odds are greater than 0 that the Rockets are a 50+ win team as is. FVV and Adams if he's healthy are very good players that will be hard to keep for long once Sengun gets extended.
Amen is a much better defender than brooks and is also better at everything on the basketball court other than shooting threes. Dillon needs to be traded as soon as possible to get Amen, Tari, and Cam the minutes they need to continue to improve.
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg. Incoming Players Julius Randle 29 year old, 6-8, 250 lb PF from Kentucky No games yet played in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Dillon Brooks 28 year old, 6-6, 225 lb F from Oregon No games yet played in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 28 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's No games yet played in 2024-2025
Dillon wouldn't get a single minute on that team, but randle (as much as i don't like him and wouldn't want him for any price) has way more value then just our junk
I disagree. He is a negative asset if you actually have options. The rockets at this point have too many options. They either need to consolidate for a top 20 player and/or figure out who to pay etc
I said he has way more value than our junk, he just doesn't fit on the rockets at all. He can't play at all with sengun
We're the perfect spot for a star that wants out or even a team up. We have the tradeable contracts and picks for both. Man Booker would be a dream.
Great trade for Knicks and helps the Rockets. Why Minnesota would want to take a step back is beyond me.
