A backup point guard/combo guard is the team's biggest trade deadline need

Sengun?

Because the record without him the past couple of years is pretty good.

I kid I kid. I think all of them are important.

 

I could see losing any of the four players as a difference maker in any series.

I do agree with @OremLK that FVV is the most important of these and that FVV is playing too minutes ... which might lead to injury or burnout by playoff time.

 

Any player could be the difference maker.

That said, I think the Rockets have 3 guys that are usually important such that I don't think the Rockets can win a series without (2 due to being great with a limited [either skill or ability to ball more than 15 mpg] backup, 1 because they will guard the opposing team's playmaker).

 

The third pick in last year’s draft can’t crack the rotation. Maybe the pick(s) should be “used” in a different way. Maybe cashing in on them via trade to receive perfect fits in areas of need could be the best way to go from this point forward.

 

We don't need to make any trades. The player most of you are describing is Reed Sheppard. I know he hasn't figured it out yet, but I bet he will. We have ample depth at every position and there are guys (like Cam Whitmore) who are still fighting for every minute.

 

Last year's draft was known to be one of the weakest in a decade + (pre and post draft rankings). Using the third pick in this year's draft to make an argument is misleading.

 

Yes you are correct, we aren’t picking third anymore either. So kinda evens out in many ways.

 

I guess whether one wants to trade to upgrade some of the needed areas depends on how one views this season.

If you want the Rockets to have a shot at the championship, you want to see the weaknesses in our roster patched up as much as possible.

If you see this season as a growing time for the young guys to get some playoffs experience, and for the FO to see who is to keep and who is to let go (and how much they want to pay them), then upgrading isn't that important at this point. It may even go counter to the goals of growing and evaluating the kids.

 

Of course it's more fun. And I think we have a good shot at getting out of the first round without any trades. Luck is also a factor. Injuries can ruin a playoffs series either for us or for our opponent.

 

This. I live in the New Orleans area and have followed the Pelicans for years. Alvarado is a terrific backup PG. He wasn't drafted because he's small and couldn't shoot from 3. He's still small but has become a surprisingly great 3-point shooter this season on high volume. He's also a terrific, high-energy defender, offensive coordinator and is a very vocal leader. Ime would love Jose Alvardo the way he loves Amen Thompson. The Houston fanbase would love Alvarado. He's a much better defender than Aaron Holiday and is actually shooting better from 3 this season.

He would fit in perfectly with the defensive energy of our wings and as you said, would allow us to play FVV less minutes during the regular season. He's also on a minimum deal this season and making $4.5 million the next two years. That's a great contract.

I think it's such a perfect situation that I'd offer a heavily-protected first for him. Something like a top-20 protected 2027 Houston first. If it doesn't fall in the unprotected range, it converts to a couple of 2nd-rounders. That would give the Pelicans front office some cover for trading one of their most beloved players.

Others will say it will prevent Reed Shephard from developing but I see Reed Shephard as trade ammunition this summer. I don't think we are at a place where we can develop a player who's been so bad thus far. Reed deserves to go to a bad team and be developed there. We are too good to give minutes to Reed Shephard.

 

I would make calls around Scoot Henderson. He started very slow, but has seemingly figured it out and turned a corner. The Blazers are starting to win games, when I think they should probably be sellers at the deadline (likely moving vets and not Scoot).

I think Reed would have an opportunity to develop there and be a decent tank commander for a season or two which is really what they need. It would likely take more than Reed though is my guess to make a deal happen. Kind of wish we made this deal in the summer when Scoots value was low and Reeds was sky high.

 

Im not sure a backup guard moves the needle much for this team. If they dont give up much to get a back up guy, fine...but I wouldnt give anything of value to maybe make ot out of the first round.

If they make a move id rather something significant.

 

Trade for a guard better than Fred, and then Fred becomes the backup point guard/combo guard.

 

Alvarado would be the backup point guard for this and the next two seasons. Part of his value is his contract which is a great value.

Also, we are a contender. Ime Udoka will not be satisfied with merely making the playoffs. His goal is to win the Championship. I think our fanbase needs to update their expectations.

 

Fox

 

Ill enjoy the ride but i do not believe this team is a real contender yet. Ill update my expectations when/if we make a move...or how they use jabari and how he plays when healthy...

As for alvarado...whatever...hes cool. Dont think that move by itself changes the trajectory of the team much.

 

I wish Rafael Stone would have read your post.

We're not a very good team without Fred VanVleet. I'm actually surprised to see how many people still wanting to trade Fred in various trade proposals. We need a better backup PG. Jose Alvarado is the answer. Great backup PG. Great defensive energy. Great 3-point shooting this season. Great contract. Great vocal leadership for the bench unit. He plays for a team that has an incentive to be as bad as possible. This is meant to be. Let's get him.