Stone likes multiple ways for things to work out. I think this is one of the ways Stone planned on things working out. Another was to have FVV be a great player while the young guys become even better, but still on controlled salaries. I think right now there is a good chance the Rockets keep FVV through Green's extension. Right now the Rockets offense is built on offensive rebounding and low turnovers with growth expected to come from better shooting. FVV is absolutely needed for the low turnovers. I think the Rockets try to improve scoring efficiency among the starts at other positions.
Maybe this works. Ime needs to have a quick trigger with FVV. If he is off then get him out. If he plays fast and is hitting his 3’s like last night ride him as much as you need.
I think Ime pulls guys for energy and how they are matching up. Shooting comes and goes such that a bad 1st half isn't always representative of how a player will shoot in the second half (Ime's going to give more rope to good shooters that shoot poorly in the 1st half than bad shooters). FVV has a long history of being a great player such that Ime is not going to pull FVV if FVV's shot isn't falling early. FVV is good defensively and keeps the turnovers down regardless of how he's shooting most nights. Until there is a player that can run point with as low turnovers as FVV and switch as easily as FVV onto bigger players, I would not hold my breathe on Ime pulling FVV. There just is noone close to FVV in assist/turnover on the roster that can also play defense.
Hearing the Rockets are close to signing a long term deal for FVV. Your ZERO chance is now more like 95% chance. Udoka loves FVV and it will be nice to see him locked up for 3+ more years. He has lost a step this season and that is a concern as he is no longer getting past the defense on layups. May just be the ankle injury lingering, but it also may be a preview of what a 30+ FVV becomes. Expecting FVV to give a home team discount and sign for 3 years 120 million range.
They won't pick up the option, but you are right, he's going to get 3 more years, but not 40 mil per, more like 25-30 range IMO.
Fred is averaging 38% from the field. Yuck. He’s only averaging 5 dimes a game this year; down from 8 last year. We are among lowest assists per game teams in the league. I love Fred and he’s important to this team in more than stats, but we can’t overpay on the next contract. He’ll be 31 next season and he’s going to miss games. He can have a chance for a 3-yr run with an up and coming contending team or he can go out on the market and try to get one last massive contract. He can’t have both. If he wants to continue playing for Houston he’ll have to get used to a paycheck that aligns with his real value: somewhere in the $20’s. If the rockets get this wrong I’m going to be extremely upset. He’s probably not a top half of the league starting point guard. Off the top of my head these guys are all better: cade Coby white Brunson Harden Trae young LaMelo Holiday Maxey Garland Kyrie Fox Steph Murray Halliburton
We will see, but I don’t see Fred getting anything close to what you guys are predicting. If the Rockets sign Fred to a new contract, I think it will be very team friendly and easily tradeable. Also, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rockets do pick up his option and we keep him for one more year.
After watching las After watching last night’s game and looking at FVV’s year long stats, I can’t understand how any Rockets fan thinks it would be nice to see him locked up for 3+ more years. We have one future superstar and the FVV/Ime love affair is the biggest impediment to Amen reaching his potential. FVV and picks for Durant and use other picks for competent ball handlers that can shoot off the bench. FVV, Cam or Reed, 1 Phoenix pick, 1 Rocket FRP for Durant. Phoenix picks or Nets pick for competent ball handlers that can shoot for our bench.
At this point, I think there actually is a really good chance we opt into FVV's contract this offseason, rotate him next season with Amen at PG, and trade him at next year's deadline.
Amen needs to be moved to point for his defense and driving ability. Will also open the door for Tari or Jabari to be added to the starting lineup or possibly open a spot for KD…. I would try to get Ty Jerome as backup point over Fred. Better shooter, more size, and can probably get cheaper
If the Rockets can upgrade FVV this offseason, they should. But by upgrade, you can't take a step backwards on getting a high turnover PG even if they have a better shooting %. But they should NOT let FVV simply walk. Fans obsess over the size of his contract, as if that directly translates to production. The only time FVV's contract comes into play is if they can't make another move because they are over cap, which they aren't. So FVV's contract, as it stands, is not a limitation. Folks need to stop obsessing over the size of his contract and let the GM do GM things to manage the whole payroll as a team. Once these rookie contracts start coming due, that's way salary cap starts to get tricky.
I hope Amen can mature into a reasonable PG. He'd be scary. As of now, he makes questionable decisions resulting in turnovers. So far, Amen excels at being a free range menace. He hasn't done well when he has to be the one setting the table and providing structure.
All the people who says FVV over Harden decision is all about helping our kids develop. Well, FVV has been here almost two years, the Rockets have drafted two PGs (Amen and Reed) during this time, and yet here we are, FVV still has to play 42 minutes in a game where he's shooting 2-12 and getting destroyed by Jamal Murray. The unwillingness on the part of Udoka to let the Rockets youngsters expand their roles is concerning. Either he's not developing them correctly, or they aren't good enough to make good decisions on the court. Neither is a good thing.
I agree with everyone on the board that he ain’t worth 40 million, but Udoka feels he’s integral to our success and 38-40 million is a discount to his current contract. Harden is making 10mm more per year at age 35. Reality is 3 years 120mm for FVV.
If they negotiate an extension, the Rockets have a ton of leverage. If they decline the option, there are very few teams with cap space for FVV. I’m guessing 3 years / 90 mil with a TO IF we extend him.
I think you're underrating Fred. Despite his shooting struggles, he's still a winner. As to your list, FVV is better than the following... Coby White- Terrible defensive player. FVV is much better. Trae Young- See above Jrue Holiday. Definitely on the decline Kyrie- Was having a great season but will not be back until the end of next season at best Dejounte Murray. Also, out most of next season due to Achilles injury. He wasn't playing well this year when he was available. We live in the New Orleans area and I follow the Pelicans as well. I think that contract is now among the league's worst. I'd also take FVV over Harden due the defense but I think that's arguable. FVV is a winner. We've been much better this season when he plays than when he doesn't play. It's essential to bring him back next season or else we will regress a bit.
Where is all this FVV being a winning player coming from? In the Raptors championship season, FVV was a generic role player who scored 8 points on 33% shooting in 24 minutes in the postseason. Ever since Kawhi left and he actually has to take on a bigger role, he's gotten his ass kicked in the first round (once by fat, playoff disappointment Harden no less) or didn't make the playoffs. If FVV played for the Rockets his whole career, people would be destroying him for all his playoff failures and bad shooting. But I guess because no one in Houston actually watches Toronto games, people can just make up stuff about him and just assume no one else would ever bother to check out Raptors history or something?
