The league 'says' it wants to allow a little more physical play. If so, The villain can get back to his old ways:
You don't get Brooks for the regular season. You get him for the post season. No post season = Brooks no show
He played well for us this year. I never liked the contract, but as long as it can eventually be moved without attaching assets, that’s fine. My biggest concern with Dillon isn’t his play, or his antics…it’s Tari, Cam and Amen’s minutes. If we have Sengun, Adams, and Bari eating up most all of the minutes at the 4&5, Fred and Jalen eating up most of the minutes in the back court, where do Dillon, Tari Cam and Amen get their minutes? If you’re not breaking up the core 6, the answer to me is that you trade Dillon. If Tari is fully 100% without limitations by the deadline, barring additional injuries, Dillon should be on the move. We can’t stunt the growth of those 3, and you need in-game minutes to grow.
I have no doubt if Tari is completely healthy, he will become undeniably better than Brooks next year. Should have happened this year. If Amen does what I think he'll do, zero chance Brooks will affect his playing time.
Its probably a neutral contract at this point but will get better each year because it is front loaded at the same time that the cap is increasing. Last I checked he was getting about league average for a starting wing player but by the start of next year when FA this offseason get newer, more expensive deals, he will be getting paid like a low level starter/rotational bench player....which is about right. I imagine we try to move him at the trade deadline to a contender next year provided we have enough healthy bodies of the young guys.
Was just looking at Brooks' contract numbers again, and I kinda think he's been one of the most underrated moves Stone has made as a GM. Brooks is not an especially efficient player and he's definitely toward the top of the list for "guy most likely to do dumb **** to piss you off 3-5 times every game." But you could argue he's been the most reliable 3-point shooter since he came here, and you cannot deny the impact he's had on the team's defense, swagger and physicality. Then you look at that descending contract where he's averaging $20M a year the last two years in a league where salaries are rapidly climbing. I was definitely in the group that questioned the amount and length of this deal, but he's been nothing short of an elite role player on a totally reasonable contract. You could even argue he's a bargain for what he provides on a nightly basis. If they needed to move Brooks, I think he's become a pretty valuable trade chip. But I'm not even there yet because he's gelling so well with the young guys and, frankly, I'd have zero heartburn if he plays out the rest of that contract, even if it means he transitions to the bench at some point. Props to Dillon and props to Stone for making an unconventional, questionable move that has paid off in a very big way.
I can’t believe I am writing this… I trust Dillon to hit the open three more than anyone else on the team.
I agree, but still the wiiiiide open 3 to ice the cake against the Bucks was in his hands and he missed it. That’s the biggest concern with our lack of an unquestionable superstar in the current team. Who’s gonna win us the close games? Love the team though as current built, hopefully someone takes the reins on clutch situations. Alpi and Green have done it occasionally, but can either (or both) do it when it really matters? TBD
We will lose a few games this season and next for the reason you state, but I think we will look back a couple of years from now and be happy with the progression. We do need a couple more 3 point dagger shooters. If Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore fail, I would expect the Rockets to start bringing in those types of veterans over the next 2-3 off seasons.
