I like Jock as a third stringer in the "stay ready" crew. No harm no foul. We saw last year that you give him some time and he's a solid energy big, but you don't have to play him. Ideally we'd have a 7 footer prospect as our 3rd stringer who was developing down in the G-League, but we have our project investment currently at the PG spot. Maybe next Summer we can get a prospect in the draft who will develop behind Sengun. Until now, I think for this season Jock is a nice insurance policy to keep around.
You know the team is playing well when people are trying to figure out what to do with the third string center.
The Vuc talk is befuddling. I realize he’s having a great year, but I don’t see the fit with Sengun and he’s not a good defender. He’s actually earned his money this year, but Sengun, Adams and Bari need all the minutes at the 5. Bari, Amen, Tari need all the minutes at the 4. I don’t see where the Vuc minutes are an upgrade.
If nothing else Landale is a walking contract asset, and a pretty good backup center. It will be interesting to see what kind of return he can bring back. I’m expecting better than the 2nd rounder we got for Bruno Fernando
When Jabari Smith is healthy, he’s been sliding over to center taking minutes there. Adam’s has been getting more playing time too. Jock is depth that is quite capable of starting. He’s making 8 million, and he’s seeing very little playing time. But in the NBA, having a deep team cannot be understated. Just look at Eason and Jabari Smith who are top tier players, but have been out an extended amount of time with injuries, but the Rockets have so much depth they have continued to win. The one thing about Jock is that the Rockets aren’t in dire straits to trade him due to need or personal issues. The dude seems like a standout guy, who plays hard when he get minutes. I don’t seem him pout or complain about minutes management. I’d keep him unless there is a trade that’s the Rockets are eager to materialize, and he is needed for salary purposes.
We may have that future 3rd string guy down in RGV: N'Faly Dante. Young center project that you don't have to rush or pressure. He's not foul-prone, 9 boards a game (4 offensive), with 2 blocks. That's a nice energy guy to develop. Clear space and get him on a 2-way contract. My problem with standing pat is Tari and Jabari are injured. Brooks seems worn down by the season already. If you added a Robert Williams or Vuc, you give yourself another big body besides Adams. Adams and Jeff Green looked fantastic in that Nuggets game, but will we rely on their hustle and energy every night between now and when Jabari gets back? And what about playoff matchups with teams that go big? Other teams are already adding size for any potential playoff run.
The way I look at it, we're setting at #2 in the West. Who of us predicted that before the season started? We're not halfway through the season (@ 39 games) and its only going to get tougher as we go. Having Landale, Tate, Uncle Jeff and Holiday is somewhat of a luxury, but we have to be ready for someone getting hurt and missing time. Having those guys on our bench allows Ime to survive if something happens. None of those guys appear to be complaining or malcontents, so I don't see a big need to make a move unless its really something that improves us. If we acquire Vuc, do you also ship out Adams? Adams seems to be a real positive on the bench and has been making a difference in his minutes on the court. No opponent messes with Adams, he's almost a silent enforcer because of his presence. That's valuable and he also busts his ass when he's out there. Yes, having Vuc's O off the bench would be valuable, but I'm not sure that move and the dominoes it takes to fall to make it happen are worth it.
This has become my quandary.... also did you see that dime THE MOUNTAIN dropped to Amen last night???? Thing of beauty
OKC would make a great trade partner. The Rockets could trade Landale for a OKC very end of rotation player or just out of rotation player and maybe some draft assets ... the 2025 and 2026 draft swaps are looking like much ado about nothing, one of those swaps could be returned. OKC players of interest could be Ajay Mitchell or the other Jaylin Williams. OKC is going to have a monster roster crush over the next years with all of their draft picks. OKC might be willing to move a like-him-but-dont-love-him player.
Agreed. I would swap Landale, Unc, Holiday, and a few 2nds for John Collins who has a cheapish player option next year.
Why now? He’s set up to be a revolver salary ballast facility. Only when you trade for a star, otherwise guarantee his salary every year.
