HawkSquawk Insider NBASupes just posted Rockets Kings rumor

I am actually undecided about this trade. On one hand, Fox would immediately make this team so much better.

Yeah Fox wont help our 3 pt shooting BUT unless you been living under a rock Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and Jabari have all become capable 3 pt shooters. Where Fox would help is with our half court scoring, playmaking and closing. Instead of FVV hail marys having Fox aka Clutch player of 2024 would be a major upgrade at end of games. In the playoffs, the pace slows down and we can't out effort our opponent like we do in the regular season. Fox would def help that as he is an extremely good half court attacker, can break down defenses regardless whether his team has 3 pt spacing or not.

But on the other hand Fox as good as he is isnt a top 10 player in the NBA, he is arguably not even top 15. I dunno if paying max for that is a good move considering we have so many good young prospects and enjoying a lot of depth. Getting Fox might backfire really bad in terms of salary implications similar to what happened to the Wolves. You also have to wonder if Fox will play defense and follow Udoka unconditionally. If we pay 38M for Sengun, 45M for Fox and Amen also wants a 42M max thats basically all the capspace gone, I assume a lot of the core 7 will also have to be broken up and shipped for cheaper assets.

Def a move that requires a lot of deliberation by the front office. I dont watch Kings games so I'm not that familiar with Fox's personality.

 

LOL @ fake news and this makes no sense for either side.

 

It makes a lot of sense for Sac our package is better than Spurs.

Whether it makes sense for the Rox remains to be seen.

 

No it does not.

 

FVV, Reed and picks is better than what other teams can offer. Your denial of reality doesnt make any sense.

 

Two PGs and a pick that is not going amount to much. FVV is not going to be their long term solution and Reed is not a certainty to pan out. Spurs can do better.

 

You keep harping on the 28% 3PT shooting as if he’s a seasoned vet playing 20+ mpg night in and night out. If that were the case then it would be worrisome but no…. that’s not the case. His sample size is literally so small that if he had just 10 more makes (which is nothing really) instead of misses on the same number attempts he’d be at 41% 3PT.

 

FVV and Reed.

 

How is 10 more makes “nothing” when he has only made 20.

 

call me crazy but Fox just doesn't do it for me. 50+ million for that guy pretty much makes it impossible for us to keep the core together.

you say its just a deal for fvv + sheppard but really it's going to cost you cam and tari as well.

 

I think Stone has to be involved to ensure San Antonio pays a premium since they will be the Rockets primary competition for years to come hopefully. Every pick you and make them spend is a difference maker in the long run.

But I just have a hard time seeing Stone actually pull the trigger when a deal like this essentially requires our coach on the floor heart and soul of the team. While yes it’s a clear upgrade it might also blow up the identity of the team and cost the Rockets in wasting a playoff run trying to integrate parts. The ultimately maxing out Fox could also cost the Rockets in having to let potentially better long term players go in free agency.

 

I'd rather rent a high-end older vet for two years than commit a super max to Fox.

 

I think the value is sensible, assuming we don't have to send a lot draft capital.

The Kings get a high-end Fox replacement and a fantastic prospect. If the Spurs don't want to include Stephon Castle, I'm not sure how they beat this offer in general. It sounds like the Kings would like to retool rather than rebuild, and our package is much better for that than the Spurs' pick-heavy package.

We get a 27 year old All Star while preserving a lot of our draft capital.

But, the larger issue is how much the dynamics of our team will change. Right now, we are winning because we have high-level depth at virtually every position. However, that trade would mean Fox / Green / Amen / Sengun would be our "core" with maybe 1 - 2 other decent pieces. I've mentioned this in another thread, but there's a decent chance that those 4 will take up literally 100% of our cap in 2027. So, the next couple of seasons will be about finding out if one of Eason, Brooks, or Bari fits next to them well, or do we trade for another piece (ideally a 40% 3-and-D guy).

Because of the forgoing, I wouldn't make this trade unless we're only sending out maybe one FRP. I'm not doing it if we have to send out a bunch of draft capital as well. We'll need it later when the cap starts tightening.

 

If they really love Reed, we'll take Monk for him and throw in a couple of seconds to boot. Fox is a terrible fit with the Rockets, do not want.

 

Nobody in Rockets is better than Fox.

 

Yeah the only way Fox makes any sense is a rental for us and thus you would only pay a rental price. Stone isn't giving up multiple picks for a rental. Maxing Fox would cost us in the future to lose at least Jalen or Sengun and Jabari. Fox, Sengun, and Amen would push us right up against the 2nd Apron and we would be filling the rest of the roster out with minimum contracts. Fox is not worth it. In fact, the only 2 guys in the league that have a remote chance of being available and worth it are Ant and Giannis. Only teams that have a lot of cap space or can easily create cap space are good fits. SA is the most logical if they truly value him they will have to give up Castle and get a third team involved that have expiring contracts.

 

Fox for FVV is tempting because of the upgrade, but taking on Huerter who's having his worst season 41/30/71 splits for someone that makes a living shooting isn't smart. Reed Sheppard is a wildcard, because none of us know what he can become. We see his BBIQ and we know he has the potential to light it up, but without consistent minutes it's hard to envision his potential for some.

I love watching Fox destroy teams with his speed and tenacity, and with Jalen and Amen that trio could blow by most NBA teams. It's a tantalizing picture to consider. However, when I step back and ask myself if Fox brings enough star power and skills to justify the cost in players, picks, and future salary I'm having a hard time convincing myself of that.

Amen is blossoming before our eyes and appears to be a true star in the making. Alpi is finally putting the defensive effort in and with his Top 3 low post game and uncanny passing ability (expanding his mid- and long-range shooting is making some progress as well) he's solidifying himself as a cornerstone as well. Jalen seems to have found some consistency and that alone makes him a dangerous weapon, I'm thrilled with how he's playing. DB went from #1 trade asset to an undeniable leader, enforcer, and clutch scorer for this young team. Cam is growing and plays offense like the Punisher when he drives. Jabari was looking good when he got hurt. Tari has been a bit inconsistent and made some bone headed plays, but he's relentless and that effort is contagious.

I could go on, but the only deal I may consider at this point is Jock for Time Lord, and that's even debatable given Williams availability issues. You can hate on Jock, but he is dependable and is our one 5 besides Bari that can consistently knock down a 3.

Pump up the cost to SA for Fox, but Wemby and Fox don't scare me when I look at how our team is growing and developing. Stay the course, full-speed ahead Capts Stone/Udoka!

 

The real question is what do the Rockets feel about Green going forward. Fox and Green overlap as “core pieces” with Amen and Sengun in the mix. Green’s contact is short so cashing in on him by trading him will happen quickly, maybe this offseason. If this trade happens.

 

We need someone other than Huerter if we’re making this trade. I watched the Kings in the post-season and dude had the biggest disappearing act in the playoffs since Luther Head. And he forgot how to shoot this year.