Rockets acquire Suns picks, return Nets picks to Brooklyn

Lol we will use them to get someone significant in the offseason. Don’t worry.

 

You're not stuck with Jalen, you are with Booker. Jalen's contract is very moveable the next 3 years. Booker is making 50m a year. If he plays like he is this year, he is not close to worth it. My guess is that we use the 25 Phoenix swap if it's not top 4 to get a 26 pick and either a pretty good player or another future pick. Cooper Flagg is going to be awarded to SA. They have both their own pick and Atlanta's, both of which will probably be lottery picks.

 

Bookers not my first choice either but it sure would be nice to have him over Jalen

 

Booker is having a down year shooting-wise. He is only 28. There's no reason to assume that he won't get back to his normal capability. Although he's not a top tier superstar, he is a couple of notches above Jalen as a reliable scorer-closer we desperately need.

But yeah, he's expensive. But his contract expires at the same time as Jalen's. Who is more movable depends on whose performance is more worthy of his contract.

 

In a down year, he's still scoring 26+ per game, got a TS% of 59.5, a usage of 29, while dishing out more assist than anyone on the Rockets, maintaining a 2.47 Assist/TO ratio, being the 2nd best scorer in the NBA off screens (scores practically double the entire Rockets team off screens), and being in the 80th percentile in isolation. Sure the efficiency numbers probably go down a little on the Rockets as the Rockets don't have the shooting of the Suns. I'd think playing with FVV, Amen, and Sengun would help mitigate that some as the ball would be moving on offense. Even without FVV, that is the core of a great offense that only needs two 3 and D guys to solidify the starting lineup.

 

I doubt there will be a better player that the Rockets can get in the next 2 years. I don't expect a second Nico trade and I'm thinking Minnesota bends over backwqards to keep Ant.

 

I would still try for Ant. They gonna flame out this year in playoffs and they have no flexibility cuz of Rudy's contract. I can see him asking out.

 

I would not pass up Booker on the hope of Ant, but it is just freaking weird that Minnesota went to all the trouble of trading KAT and then also extended Rudy.

 

They won't have much flexibility next season, but they'll have a ton after that. I just don't think there's much chance Ant will ask out. They have a long of young talent they will be able to lock up. Reid, DD, McCain, Dillingham, NAW.

 

Honestly think we have a better shot if we trade for booker first. Then when ant wants to leave we can offer booker since they still want to compete.

 

None of those guys you mentioned can develop into a second star next to him. So the question is can they entice any star to go to Minnesota. I think the answer is no, cuz LeBron couldn't get anyone to go to Cleveland. And they resigned Gobert to an extension and everyone in the league hates Gobert.

 

Ant’s not asking out and if it ever did happen….he’d be a Laker within a week! He ain’t getting excited to pick Houston over 32 other teams by our lawyer GM.

 

32 other teams?

 

Nobody said only NBA teams…
https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/sports/20221217/28593/kevin-durant-retirement-barca.html

 

Is it just me or does he look like this Smart guy?

 

Yes, the 33 teams in the NBA always make it difficult for schedule makers. This is why there's a rumor we're going to add at least 2 more teams to bring the total to 37.

 

He missed it by that much.

 

If they made the same salary, sure.

But Booker is making the super max if you get him you are saying good bye not just to Jalen but the other pieces of the core.

As a super max Bookers falls far short of Ant, SGA, Jokic, Giannis etc whats the point of getting someone markedly inferior to those guys when they cost the same? You just put yourself at a massive disadvantage.

I would rather trade for KD, KD is one of the best players in the NBA if you add him to this team we are instant contenders,KD as the main guy you can match up with the best players in the world. If you add Booker to this team and we lose say Jabari and Jalen its a sidegrade at best and even still you still are inferior to OKC.