Yup. There isn’t a pressing need this season to make any veteran stopgap additions, and long term there isn’t space on our salary structure for a traditional backup 5 who is paid any real money. I anticipate we’ll bring in a low cost veteran body in the summer (or keep Adams as that), and also use either the PHX pick or a SRP to draft a cheap, cost-controlled big in the draft. Lots of those types in the late first/early second round range this year, who could be a cheap 3rd big that gives a different look. It’s like drafting a mid round running back.
backup pg is clearly our weakest spot. If FVV gets an injury Rockets are cooked. Holiday is a good 3 pt threat but bad on D and bad at playmaking. Sheppard is good on D but bad at playmaking and bad at shooting. Amen is great on D and good at playmaking but horrible at shooting. JG is good on D and good at playmaking but bad at shooting. FVV is the only guy good at playmaking, D and shooting. We need a better backup pg IMO, someone of Tyus Jones/Malcom Brogdon caliber or better.
Boy Scout rule: "Always be prepared" We have somewhat duplication in Adams and Landale. Adams sets good screens while Landale can make some 3's.( Including Sengun and N'Faly) Would like to have a Naz Reid as a Small Ball version of Center. In case Jabari gets hurt and we need Amen to cover a wing or point guard who is killing us.
Current Adam isn't exactly a good measuring stick. He wouldn't get minutes on any contending team. Hopefully, he gets to 85% of his former self by the time the playoffs are here.
We need the opposite of a traditional one. We need a vertical threat or 3pt shooting C and since we're a bad shooting team overall we should get a shooting backup C. We should let Landale shoot a bit more, see if he can manage 35% on 2 attempts per game. They don't seem to believe in his shot though. When Sengun is resting, we should definitely have a shooter or Amen at the 5, it has always served us well. I would love to get an elite backup C. Vucevic (2 yrs, $20m/season) is available and would be such a boost replacing Adams and Landale in the rotation, also providing the opportunity to play Sengun at PF sometimes. All the backup C's minutes we'll have great spacing and efficient shooting, will help all our wings get to the basket easier. Overall for the playoff push, I think he'd really solidify our chances of clinching home-court advantage in the first round and winning a series. Probably wouldn't cost much to acquire right now. Would be happy with any 5 who can shoot though as long as they can play roughly average defense.
I've mentioned this since he was drafted. I envisioned him as a starting 4/backup 5. The problem is either he tends to fancy himself more as a big wing. Or the Rockets don't want him to play center. Cause if you look at the Rockets personnel moves, it's all made with the idea that Jabari is not playing center.
I would not pay an FRP for either player. If they were the missing piece to a championship team, sure, but they aren't.
I think the acquisitions of Landale and Adams were done before the Rockets FO were totally sure of Sengun's ability of being the alpha guy. If you were not sure that your starting center would play heavy minutes night in and night out like any franchise guy would, you'd want to make sure his backup wouldn't fall off too much. It was also not clear how Eason would fair being the backup PF. Jabari's role as the backup center would also be affected. Now it is clear as day that Sengun will occupy the lion share of center minutes and Tari is competent enough to be a starting PF, not just a backup. They are more comfortable to use Jabari at the backup 5 with also the help of Landale and Adams. I really think that the center position is set at least for this season. The thinnest part of the roster is the back court. Reed is not ready. Cam has regressed. Amen has not shown that he could be a dependable play maker. When Jalen and Fred are having a bad game, there aren't many options Udoka can deploy.
I would agree that at the time of the Landale signing, or rather failed-Lopez signing, that the Rockets brass were still unsure of Sengun. The Adams trade was what really surprised me, because by then Sengun at a minimum had entrenched himself as an above average starting center. It really felt like they wanted to stay with big lineups with that trade. Regardless I do agree that right now the Rockets clearly need more backcourt help for this year. If the Rockets are making some patching up the roster with 2nd round pick move, priority should definitely be a backup PG and then a wing shooter before backup big.
i'd rather run small ball 5 lineups with Jabari tbh. Reed-Brooks-Tari-Amen-Jabari lineups would be so fun for some spot minutes.
A vertical threat center is the last thing we need. Like you said we're a bad 3pt shooting team so he would just clog the paint further. FVV has never been a good lob passer either, he can't utilize a vertical threat center on the PNR like a Harden or Luka. Our second best passer is Sengun who would probably never play next to this other center. A shooting C that can defend would be a great fit, which is why the team went after Lopez. But Vucevic is playing the worst defense of his career. He's shooting career highs, but when those numbers edge back down to his career averages he'd be a lot less useful to this team. He'd be targeted on defense every possession. I'd much rather just slide Jabari to the 5, as he's at least capable on switch defense unlike Vucevic. I would rather go small with Amen at the 5 too.
I believe your using the word "traditional" instead of "modern" has caused some confusion. Landale and Adams are traditional backup centers. You want the other kind, and I agree with that.
This team's priority is not backup center. It is shooters, Jalen, Jabari and all other guards, wings are terrible shooters. Alpi would have had at least 10 asist per game every match- they all waste his passes... We need shooting..shooting.. Our aschilles tenden is shooting..our main need..
Not sure if it is just a hot streak, but Adams has been giving solid minutes lately. Really controlling the boards. Looking more mobile.
We could always use a defensive stud rim protecting big, but if Sengun continues to improve defensively, and Bari gets stronger and continues to improve defensively, with Amen being able to guard all 5 positions defensively, I’m not sure we need a traditional backup center. Ideally Bari slides over to the 5 when Sengun’s out and plays all those minutes as he gets bigger.
