Upon reflection, I do think I understand better what @carl_herrera is saying regarding trading FFV towards multiple contracts that carry into next season. Right now, we have a ton of trade flexibility because we have a couple larger contracts (FVV, Brooks), and non-minimum, movable contracts (Adams, Tate, Jeff Green). If we let FVV walk, any trade would likely include Green's 33 mil, but what if we need more money? We won't have Adams, Tate, or Jeff Green's contracts as trade fillers. We'd either have to include Brooks OR Landale + Sheppard or Bari given their 10+ mil salary cap hits (I'm not trading Amen). It's definitely an interesting situation, though it doesn't concern me so much that I would trade FVV towards smaller, 2+ year contracts.
I seem to be alone on this one, and I'm probably biased, but I'd love to see Trae at the reigns of the offense surrounded by all the athletes and superior defenders. He's the type of true perimeter creator that the team needs. He's also an excellent shooter who can spread the floor effectively for Sengun. He is not a good defender, but I think the team can cover for that. It's a worthwhile tradeoff considering how bad the offense is and how good the defense is. An FVV + Green centered deal gives them cap relief and future upside.
I've mentioned that I am higher on Trae as a target than most. However, now that the Hawks are clicking, the shipped may have sailed on that possibility.
No idea, but Sexton is having a pretty solid year. 47/42/90 splits. No idea why he's only averaging 27 mpg. Good on/off stats. No idea why he's only averaging 27 mpg. I'd definitely be interested in him. Probably wouldn't have to break the bank, either.
The thing about Whitmore is, if you know there's not a rotation spot for him next year, moving him this season for a future pick >>>> holding him until summer to maybe include him as a sweetener in a big trade. Because you don't know if that other team will value him this summer, you don't know if he'll be a malcontent by then, you don't know if you're even going to be making a trade, and trade $ matching is so weird now you don't even know if Whitmore can be in the trade. So IMO you have to canvas to see if there's a deal structure that will bring back a FRP for Whitmore during this season. Something like this, which resembles the MIN-Dillingham trade: MIL In: Whitmore Holiday Hou In: Pat Connaughton's contract (9M/yr until 25/26) MIL 2031 FRP
Since I see Fred as a good role player off the bench for us in the future, I’m not adverse to trading him, but we really don’t have anyone to replace him with at the moment. To me it’s pretty clear, if Fred won’t take a team friendly deal we’ll need to part ways in free agency. It’s our front office’s job to know what the Fred range is. I can’t see Ime giving the green light on a Fred trade in season, but I agree it’s a conundrum because we don’t want to lose him for nothing.
Yeah this was my point #3. To be clear, IMO there's 0% chance FVV is traded during this season, so not even worth discussing. I think some posters misinterpreted me as saying FVV should be traded for contracts going into next year. That's not it at all. The Stone FO has been characterized by: a) a belief that doing right by players/agents/teams pays off (I.e., the anti Morey approach), b) planning ahead via the cap sheet and transactions, and c) an awareness that going "all-in" too soon is the death knell of most front offices in the Rockets' position. Trading FVV this season would go against all of those. Also close to zero chance any Tier 1 or Tier 2 target is even open for a trade conversation this season. I'd lay 50/1 against. So, as you say, assuming we bring back FVV for cheap next year or he walks as a FA, we'd have only FVV and/or Brooks + core 6 or 7 contracts for next season, and we'd be below the cap but not by enough to use cap space. That would be a mis-structuring of our cap sheet and an unforced error contracts-wise. Stone / Witus don't do that. Hence, the FO will want to trade and roll over the Adams / Tate / Green / Landale contract slots for something carrying over to next year.
Speaking of Sexton, how about this… FVV, Whitmore, and a FRP for Sexton and John Collins Sexton and Collins both give us a major offensive and shooting boost. Jazz get a good prospect, a pick, and a ton of cap space next offseason. Sexton / Green / Brooks / Smith / Sengun Reed or Holiday / Amen / Eason / Collins / Adams
Another variation of a Sexton trade. Whitmore, Adams, and a pick for Sexton Sexton can either start along side FVV (which would make us smaller), or come off the bench and serve as FVV’s replacement next season.
I definitely see the thought on this. He has good vision, much better pick and roll player than what we have, and would help in transition also. How would he mesh with Ime is the question for me and also his attitude overall. I would probably be ok with this for the right price.
He's the Thrilla FROM Manilla - not IN Manilla... although Pacquiao has a better claim on that title. Although I was not yet 3, I understand your point.
I'm no expert, but I don't think that's right. It's what he counts for in ingoing and outgoing. But there are rules around matching, and combining contracts (etc). It just makes it a little trickier. I think he counts as $33M to the incoming team for their salary matching purposes, but only as $12.5M for our salary matching purposes. Add in Adams and Jeff Green and Tate to the equation, and you've got 61 and 41, so it is starting to get to the point where we could trade all that for $50M of returning salary. Very tricky.
If Sacramento continues to crater and misses the playoffs, could easily Fox demanding a trade in the offseason. I just can’t see a deadline deal this year. The team is ahead of schedule and the likely candidates of Booker or Fox would come in the offseason. A deadline trade would be for McCollum, Ingram, or LaVine and I don’t t think we cash in our chips for those guys.
I could see a deal where the Rockets get Lavine similarly to how OKC got CP3 from Houston. They were paid handsomely to take his contract and benefited from his oncourt play and later flipped his expiring deal to Phoenix for more draft assets. (Or at least this is my wish).
The tricky part is that PO in the last year that Lavine would be crazy to decline. Like I said before, IF Bulls were willing to give up two FRPs, I would consider dealing for Lavine. (Because you could use the picks to flip Lavine later, but I am pretty sure every NBA GM has thought og that as well.)
