honestly i dont think there really is a trade out there that makes sense for us. maybe if you can get some seconds for tate+ landale.. but that's about it.
DB is on a downward trajectory currently (again!) and I believe he has done what he was brought in (and paid) to due = help establish a defensive mindset culture. At this point, he is blocking an opportunity for the younger players. It's not so much about replacing DB as it is making room for growth. Amen should start and when Bari gets back, he should start as well. As was shown in several games, it looks like Ime leans too hard on DB & FVV to the detriment of the rest of the roster. We still need FVV to initiate the offense, but when we go uptempo that is not FVV's specialty anymore. Ball does those things and can play defense as well as DB. Ball prolly cannot guard heavier PF's, but Jalen Smith & Olynyk should help with that. Plus DB was getting roasted by some of the better post players. (There was a phantom call against him in Sac, but that doesn't excuse all the other times.) My point is: I think DB can be replaced by current talent so we should use that opportunity to shore up other areas where we are lacking. Ball is a solid PG who can bring added dimensions on limited minutes - but he can def play defense as well as Brooks (if not better). The key difference between the two is FT% & DB's ability to stay healthy (the best ability is availability). You can call Jalen an empty stat guy all day, but he does produce. If he can do those things in a timely manner (key 3, blocked shot, etc.), I will take it. Olynyk would be Sengawd lite with a better 3 point % & less defense, but still a good facilitator (check his asst % per 100 possessions among centers). If trading DB means improvement in: (1) offensive facilitation; (2) outside shooting; (3) perimeter defense; (4) interior defense; (5) post passing; (6) financial flexibility; & (7) depth = sign me up. Once again, just speculating on the innanet. Personally, I think Ime might quit if DB or FVV gets traded.
c Not hating on the man. Just recognizing he is who he is. And knowing there is a pattern to his productivity.
I think we're really overthinking the defense. The difference between what a PF will bring vs what Vucevic will bring defensively against second units is minimal in the big picture of us being the 8th best defense. Boucher simply won't matter on offense, we're so bad at shooting it would be a drop in the ocean. We need Vuc's overall scoring acument. On the minutes again disagree. We need a different look over there. I don't want someone to come in an do the same thing. I want to see double big lineups the way Udoka used to run with the Celtics (Horforf and Willliams). That's how we can actually create a mismatch at that position whether Jabari is healthy or not. Lots of options obviously, but it has to be a bigger specialist than Boucher in order to have a domino effect. Boucher is not a respected scorer, teams are not going to care about him much and all we need this player to do is create spacing. We have the talent to hide anyone defensively. Tari and Brooks are our 2nd and 3rd best wing defenders, we're insanely deep there.
Have you seen the Rockets defense lately? I'm not 100% on who's at fault, but the defense has been weak with someone(s) not rotating. Playing Vuc with Sen would mean there would be 2 bigs that don't close out well making rotations much more difficult. I don't want a double big lineup unless it is someone like Bam or Mobley.
Meh. It's a natural feature of good defenses that they have highs and lows. Tired legs can do that too, we have injuries and lead the league in rebounding. I mean, please don't make me argue that offense is more important to us than defense right now. There's an epidemic of obvious things being argued on the board I feel it's so weird.
I liked him before... but Sengawd has really stepped it up. Not a 3 point shooter, but he CLEANS glass and blocks shots. Could be a second unit fast break starter... I could see a lineup of Amen - Cam - Tari - Bari - Gafford.
It we knew Tari was 100% or at least reliable to play 20 minutes a game I would be very tempted to move off of Brooks. That being said Brooks and Fred undoubtedly give us the veteran steady that we need. I want a shooter/scorer off the bench. Vucevic or Cam Johnson are higher level options. Olynyk ir Brogdon would be cheaper.
Good lord the Bulls put Patrick WIlliams on the trade market too. Vucevic and Williams (40% 3PT shooting PF usually, doesn't love the paint) under Udoka's strict defensive leash would be fantastic. Our shooting would dramatically improve and covers for Jabari's injury. Personally have always believed we can live without Brooks although he's a great player and has been a part of our success. Would happily give him up to a 3rd team to snatch one additional pick to send to the Bulls. They want a first or two for Williams. Two 2nds for Vucevic. Honestly if they bring in Vuc as a 6th man of the year type scorer (protect him with defenders who can't shoot) and Williams for depth at backup SF/PF I would be comfortable not making a move till after next season. Ime might coach this to a title in the next 2 years imo: Sengun/Vucevic/Jabari Jabari/Williams/Tari Amen/Tari Green/Whitmore FVV/Sheppard Dude. How on earth are you going to stop Amen or Green from torching you when Vucevic/Jabari/Sheppard come in and your rim protector is miles away from being able to contest Amen and Green's downhill full speed drives? If they sag off Amen or put the rim protector on him, Amen sets the screen for Green in this scenario and these two can pick any team apart. Stone needs to snatch at least one of these guys for the second half and playoff run. We can lock home court safely with 1 elite bench player.
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -4.6 ppg, +4.6 rpg, and +2.3 apg. Incoming Players Ausar Thompson 21 year old, 6-6, 205 lb G from Overtime Elite (Georgia) 7.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg in 18.8 minutes in 2024-2025 Jalen Duren 21 year old, 6-10, 250 lb PF from Memphis 9.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.3 apg in 25.0 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Jabari Smith, Jr. 21 year old, 6-10, 220 lb F from Auburn 11.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 30.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 10.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.7 apg in 16.4 minutes in 2024-2025
Cam Johnson speculated price tag. 6'8 with 6'10 arms. For one FRP I'm interested. We can do better than that if he can be a bench smallball PF.
Very surprised they'd trade Williams. I still don't want Vuc for reasons we discussed previously, he doesn't fit the timeline or our roster setup IMO. But Williams... that's tempting. Having him + Bari locked up long-term would do a lot to address the shooting issue, and I agree that he should be able to be a plus defender under Udoka. I'd try to snag Ayo Dosunmu in the deal to shore up the backcourt, preferably with a handshake agreement on a reasonable extension in place. That to me would make it worth sending our own 2028 first rounder (which should be pretty meh) plus the Phoenix pick this season (I'm betting it will end up late lottery at best, very little chance it becomes a top 4 pick).
All right, here's a weird one, a moderate move to upgrade the roster on a timeline that doesn't hamper our ability to extend our young core, nor trade away so many assets we couldn't assemble a compelling package for a star player should one we desire become available: The Warriors have to know they're going nowhere this season, but they need cap flexibility and trade assets for next offseason to try and make something happen for Steph during the last leg of his career. There's a hard limit to how much I'd help them out, but Wiggins has been back to his usual self this season and I think he'd fit in well with our group over the next few years. Would definitely improve our shooting. His contract for the next two seasons is $28.2M, $30.1M (player option).
I'm just skeptical the Rockets would trade for him under their current "defense-first" philosophy. Wiggins is at least decent on the other end.
