What has Fox proven in the playoffs exactly? He played in one series which he lost. Let's give this core at least one crack at playoffs before deciding they are not cut out for them.
It's not 2K, its simple logic. Chemistry comes from moving forward. The coach and the majority of the team set chemistry. You see the young guys fighting for each other. The chemistry was forged like the Astros in being the worst team in the league and having to feel that pain for 3 years. That pain and that growth is why you see the energy and effort in this team with Ime. They didn't want to feel that way again. They know they have to get better and have the proof of their sacrifice being rewarded. The players aren't stupid, they know the contract and future situations from their agents and FO. They lost a ton of players and friends during that time. Jabari is trying to get his contract. Situations are temporary. Amen earned his money. They likely know more than we do or speculate. Durant hasn't done anything in PHX? 27pts a game on high efficiency from outside is nothing? He is exactly what we are missing. He failed because the team gave up everything to get him, Beal, and Nurkic. Butler is selfish and desperate. So is Harden, so is Durant, so is Kawhi, so is PG13, so is... We have seen his bad side multiple times and the reason for that was money and destination. We have seen his play over his career and know after those times we talked so bad about him in Minny and Philly came after he did some amazing things. He is a gritty player that became a star from his work ethic. He fits our team. Durant and Butler still have this year and next year. What's the difference between their contracts and the ones we have now really. Durant can be resigned or S&T. I think if he wins here he's not going to want to leave, we're not going to want to get rid of him, and he's an over-38 player. We don't have to mortgage the future. Butler, is even more controllable. No one is giving him the max. If he works out, we can keep him cheaper or trade him and he is not a negative asset. He has to play well if he came here to protect his $52M PO and ANY future contract. His behavior right now is directly tied to the expiration date of the trade deadline. I don't like it, you don't like it. I am primarily concerned about him going to PHX and ruining our PHX assets. He IS getting traded and at a significant discount. It's not a matter of giving up something we want to keep. We can literally get him for expirings and people that don't really contribute. Brooks is not going to stay here with Jabari. Amen is as good as signed. These are decisions that have been made. Youngsters in the playoffs are far more likely to take their lumps and fight harder when they don't have excuses. "Aw shucks they lost in the first/second round, what a great season, should be very proud, we'll get em next year and they can have a great offseason." You can get them that help now or argue a week later about how in the offseason we will get them more help. Explain to me how the two are different. I watched the same conversation with the Texans and then their FO screwed up FA and the draft and they just fired coaches after being virtually no better than the previous year. Ime and how this team has grown and will continue to grow no matter what tells me what I need to know. FVV and Brooks and Butler and Durant don't play 240 minutes and won't be here forever. Our guys have watched these guys play at the highest level and understand what the expectation is for them. Our guys aren't stupid. They are playing for each other and their contracts. The built for that stage comment, I would direct toward teams or players that aren't high effort and energy. That wouldn't apply to any of our players. Our players are going to have lumps and warts that we already know and will have to improve. The playoffs are not the first challenge they have faced. I never saw the 20 wins Rockets as the team they are now. We shouldn't let our lack of vision override the internal confidence they have already to have done what they have so far. These youngsters aren't surprised their good, they know it. They earned this.
The more I think about it, if we could do this without giving up FVV and were confident we could get Fred to accept a backup PG/6th man role on a team-friendly extension I think I'd actually be all-in on trading for Fox. Fox/Green/VanVleet is an insanely talented backcourt overall--you stagger the minutes so that one of FVV and Green are always on the floor as a shooting threat and suddenly Fox's questionable jump shot is a lot less of an issue. There are some problems though. One, asking FVV to immediately go to a 6th man role is a pretty big "check your ego" moment for a guy who has been essentially the team captain ever since he got here. Two, I'm not convinced he agrees to extend with us as a long-term bench player, and there's no way we can afford him and Fox and most of our young core if FVV is getting paid anything more than, say, $20M AAV. (Even that might be pushing things a bit.) The "FVV for Fox at the trade deadline" deal is what I'm not sure I can stomach. Massive change to a rotation that is currently firing on all cylinders. Adding Fox into that rotation is one thing. Subtracting our highest-minutes player, who initiates the entire offense? I don't know man.
[Charania] DeAaron Fox’s top destination is the San Antonio Spurs and he would be reluctant to signing a long term contract in Sacramento or anywhere else if traded
I dont care which of our players is the dreamy efficiency monster. I care about which one of these guys is going to put the team on his back and take us home. You cant quantify heart. Thats the problem with the "schtats" community. It is lacking any emotion. Because something is black and white on paper too many feel it translates no matter what. Is KD going to play Ime Udoka defense? Probably not right? Stats without context dependent application are just rankings in the end. Just like you alluded to taking lumps during tank years the very same premise exists for playoff experience. I may agree that FVV/Dillon are short term vets, but they fit with this group - this year.
Brooks is not going to be here because of Jabari. I know that, you know that, Rockets know that. Jock, Adams, Unc, Tate, Holiday are expirings with no return. Brooks and FVV were brought here FROM OUTSIDE to rent our cap. We all know that. FVV is on a team option for $43M. Whether its now or 3 months from now what is the difference. Their contracts virtually end at the same time as Butler/Durant. Our guys want to win. Our guys have seen DOZENS of friends and teammates walk out the door. Our guys know you believe in them because Green, Sengun, Jabari, Amen will be signed and you are keeping the others to sign. Keeping someone is the sign you believe in them. Giving them ALL the tools to win is a sign you believe in them. You really believe this team would watch Durant walk into the room and be upset?
When Sabonis is your big man 70% of actions involving him are DHO's. It severely limits your offense and makes you predictable and therefore defendable. And Sabonis's defense makes Alpi look like Anthony Davis. But, your agenda marginalizes consideration for anything that isn't your narrative so I understand why you ignore these truths. I agree w/ your statement on Fox. Some are down on him but I view him in the same tier you do. Where I disagree is the conclusion that this squad can't develop in to a championship team organically. The leap in 18 months under IME is stratospheric, and the best player on the team only just became a starter 10 games ago. If Jalen and Alpi can be top 25-40 players and Amen can be a top 5-10 player in the league that's comfortably enough top-end talent to win a chip. Or if Amen can ascend to top 3 you just need one of Alpi or Jalen and you're good. And that's not really giving credit to what would be an OKC esque supporting cast led by Tari, Jabari, Dillon, and Fred. I think it's very short-sighted to put a ceiling on this Rockets team. I say that from experience. I thought avoiding the play-in would be a huge W for us this year. Look at us now.
Fox is unfortunately a great fit for San Antonio. Wemby is an elite defensive big that can space the floor, so Fox's lack of shooting wouldn't be as much of an issue. Fox would unquestionably be THE guy on the perimeter for them. Fox is also young be in his prime for years to come. I'm not that concerned though. While Fox is a very talented player he's got flaws and isn't superstar tier. So if San Antonio wants to give him a supermax contract they can go right ahead.
Stone is a bit unmovable. If he makes ANY trade-deadline deal, I'd be quite surprised. However, I don't understand your post. If you traded FVV, Fox would step into FVV's PG role and shoot 60% at the rim instead of Fred's lost possessions as he gets bottled up in the restricted area. Fox draws fouls, going to the FT line 5 times a game. He generates 6.7 assists. That would be an immediate scoring boost, and his drives would create solid chances for Brooks and Green to catch and shoot. Everything on the offensive end would be easier. The stats suggest that Fox is every bit as good of a 24-foot to 29-foot shooter as Jalen, and we all realize that Fred's shot is in decline. If Fox had the ball out top, he can convert that into points by driving, and I think you'd be surprised by his catch-and-shoot numbers. No longer would Jalen Green be guarded by the top wing defender. They would have to match up on Fox. In this thought experiment, Amen would keep playing the killer, x-factor forward spot that no one can guard. He kickstarts the break off the glass, and with Fox, you add a guard that can run with Amen. Stone isn't a gambler. He won't pull the trigger on a deal. He has too much pride in what he's built. But Fox's fit on this team wouldn't be redundant. Wouldn't he be a clear upgrade?
If he has a preferred destination and won't extend anywhere else, his value to all the other teams is lowered. He's basically a rental and no one is paying a premium for that. They may have no choice but to take a poo platter in return because that's the best they can get because he leaves that team in FA for his preferred destination. The other thing - He's NOT DUE a supermax.. He can want it all he wants but he does not qualify. He did not make all nba last year so he has to make it next season to qualify.
Remember this is the same guy who said Rox would have a 6 game lose streak so not a surprise he thinks the team sucks.
I am honestly not opposed to getting Fox, tbh I prefer him over Booker cuz as a pg he fits next to Jalen or Amen more. He is also a year younger and yeah that doesnt mean much but a year is a year. But it depends on the cost and if he is willing to extend and he is willing to work hard under Ime. He isnt good enough to be a deal breaker imo.
