Predict whom from our core will still be here in 3 or 4 years

I am really pulling for Jalen Green this year man, but I need to see a jump to be all the way in. TBD.

For me, in terms of raw talent, the Rockets are like this:

1. Amen Thompson
1A. Alperen Sengun
2. Reed Sheppard
3. Jabari Smith
3A. Tari Eason

Tari and Bari will always be good ball players. One reason I’d hate to lose Jabari is size. I sat courtside in SL and watched him matchup with Chet. We need Jabari for Chet and Wemby in the future. He is big enough to defend those guys inside and out, and we need that next to Alperen.

Cam’s knees still worry me, but he could be great too.

We are freaking stacked. If JG shows up this year Houston is going to be a force for years.

 

Alperen,Amen,Cam,Reed

 

This poll closes on Apr 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM so I will withhold my vote until at least Apr 4, 2025. Just makes sense to wait for more information to come in.

 

There sure are a lot of Jaters in here. SMH

Edit: In all seriousness though, if you asked me to trade two right now, gun to the head, it's Jalen and Jabari. I'm all for being patient for the time being though.

 

Amen
Tari
Green
Sheppard
Smith

 

Reed will literally still be on his rookie deal, so he’ll be here. Sengun is close to signing an extension and I suspect takes the all star leap. Ime’s love affair with Amen and Tari knows no bounds.

Jalen and Cam are extremely vulnerable to trade.

wild card is Bari. If he takes a huge leap this year it’s gonna be hard to let him go.

 

I think it very much depends on what is available on the trading market. If legit superstar becomes available currently I do not think anyone is untouchable at the moment and it would also dictate what pieces are needed to complement him.

 

There is no upgrade.

 

Let's start with guarantees here.

DD will still be here, @Jontro will still be here.

I will still be a Sengün fan. Reed has a good chance of staying as he is still so young.

 

I always laugh at the posts in these threads because people just list out their favorite players in order without really thinking.

In reality, the likelihood of a player being here in 4 years is not as simple as who is the best. The most likely to be here are the players that have a higher value to the organization than their perceived value and potential elsewhere.

If we make a trade for a top 10 player that's a guard we'll probably trade our best perimeter prospect away. If we make a trade for a top 10 player that's a big we'll probably trade away our best big prospect. Either way, in a big trade you don't keep all your best/favorite players.

If I were to go make a Vegas bet on what I've seen prior to the start of this season I would guess Tari is the least likely to move. He's not currently seen as high potential but he plays hard and can fit in multiple different lineups. Beyond that I think Amen and Reed are more likely to stay. I think Udoka will value the players he developed to have a defensive mindset. I also think other teams won't value Amen as much if he can't shoot 3s.

 

It's hard to have Reed in these conversations because we've never even seen him play an NBA game. But I guess his worst case scenario (barring something very unusual) is still a sharpshooter with nothing else to offer, and those guys still typically have long careers.

 

agree! I’ve been here since 99 so technically I should still be here too.

@Snow Villiers

 

No over-weight senior, including me, is a lock to be here. It is one of the reasons, we say whatever we want and don’t give a sh*t what anybody thinks. Of course, DD has taken that to the next level.

In serious response to the thread:
Amen and Sheppard are the only locks in my opinion.
Sengun, Jabari, and Tari are the next most likely.

Jalen if he flubs this last chance, is gone. Cam may be blocked and become trade bait, because he is best suited as SF and teams will be high on his potential.

 

In 3-4 years a meteor can hit earth, I am not suggesting that but a lot can happen, and in the NBA.

I probably stop right there.

 

When it comes to this type of question the answer is always this unless a true superstar emerges from the core 7:

The closer a player is to their RFA date the more likely they aren't part of the long term future. So the current ranking of players most likely to get traded:

1. Jalen
2. Sengun
3. Jabari
4. Eason
5. Cam
6. Amen
7. Reed

It's really that simple.

The feelings a team or fans have towards a player changes the closer you are to having to pay them

 

I like this but I'd keep Eason, but that depends on who you're trading him/them for

 

It’s a good point, but there are other factors. My bet is Sengun gets his max before the Oct. deadline. Amen and Reed are locks because of their contract status and in Amen’s case how the FO and coach view him. Tari is going to be a difference maker at a reasonable cost. Jabari is a really good fit for this team, but if they are targeting Giannis he or Sengun will be traded.

 

I know tomorrow night they'll all be there.

Go Rox!!!

 

I feel ya, I would be definitely pulling for the one guy who is oozing with supreme raw talent to show up like March POM runner up(only one from core7 to do so, thus far) which is the key (Sengun pre injury also) for Rockets making that PO jump

Its up to first 3 picks of rebuild to really ante up

The rest (core 4) will be sorted on how they handle extensions of those 3 (elder) young bulls and future free agency moves

When building a team you definitely want what this team has, which is a big/guard you can build around possibly long term

With defense on wing (Eason etc) and Vinny J microwave scorer off bench, all young with room to grow, or flame out, just depends

I want to keep them all, I Am the Steinbrenner (father) of nba, I don't see a cap, when competing, pay them all who want to remain with the org, some may want bigger role and want out, ego/$$ is King in pro sports

TBD