KD? Giannis? Book? Beard? Role Players[Youth Movement]?

I don't want either. I more just want Cam gone.

 

Not a fan of his attitude or anything but he’s got talent. Considering he’s basically free i’m not interested in throwing him away.

 

A lot of players have talent but can't put it together. He reminds me of Harold Miner.

 

I voted to go after role players.

For a team so young I don’t think one playoff series is enough to decide if we should blow it up. All of our players will be improved next year and any one of them (even Alpy or Jalen) could make a huge leap. I say negotiate sub-max extensions for Bari and Tari and either (a) pick up Fred’s option year (for trade purposes) or (b) let him walk, dump Jock and Holiday to open up space to sign a guy. As a small, un-athletic guard on the wrong side of 30, I don't see much tread left on those tires. Any multi year extension will probably come with a ton of buyer’s remorse.

I would look to find a long term replacement for Steven Adams whether thats through the draft or via trade. I would prefer an athletic big that can be a lob threat / rim protector / rebounder.

The success of the double big lineup has me intrigued about Giannis if the price was right, but I really like rooting for a homegrown core as opposed to star chasing.

 

Is he really? I am not going to lie. I don't watch him play. I just thought I remembered size and defense at the point position his strength. Nonetheless, Jalen and Sengun didn't play defense before Udoka got here either! Giddey is young enough to turn it around.

 

Bet on the future, not the past. Youth movement > old stars.

We're about to get *another* top ten pick too.

 

1st Giannis

 

I voted “others.” See how we do in the playoffs; who steps up in the pressure, and who crumbles. Make summer decisions accordingly.

AKA, the Horse Before the Cart approach.

 

True on Jalen and Sengun.

 

Davion. Mitchell.

 

Answer is clear. KD and a PG.

 

My strategy really came before the trade deadline looking at what we have, what stars will ever be available, and our draft assets. The talk had always been consolidation trade. Why? We have Jalen, Alpi, Tari, Bari, Amen, Cam, Reed that ALL have a chance to pan out. To me the rest of the team is up for grabs. We have 2025 PHX, 2027 BKN/PHX, 2029 PHX/DAL that should be premium players added to that group. If we lose no one that is 12 potential players that will need significant time. Naturally, we will lose some people but it means we HAVE our role players over the long run. We will be adding minor people in FA every year like Unc, Steve, etc. but the focus should be on what can we do to help this group the most. We paid a terribly high price to be in this position. The focus MUST be on maximizing assets if we want to have a sustainable winner. We need to give ourselves as many shots at the prize as possible. To me this team is like the 2015 Astros. They got the prize but not as much as they should have. I want this to be a Rockets dynasty.

I don't really care what happens with our picks in 2028 and 2030 but I am not throwing them away. After 2026 we overcome our biggest mistake in the Westbrook trade that took a ton of luck to mitigate. I am not about to turn around and dump assets like that for Booker or Ja or anyone else. Ant and Luka would make me change my mind but they are never going to be available. Therefore, the biggest bang for our buck is to target "discounted stars" like Durant and even Harden. They might be acquired cheaply and enable us to keep almost everything and transition for us. These guys surrounded by a young hungry team is well balanced.

The superteams of the past starting with LBJ stripped the team of draft assets, depleted the bench, and required a collection of old vets that broke down. We can do the opposite by getting stars and continuing to grow the team with youth. If we want to compete with OKC in the future this is the way. OKC is going to be too successful to break their team up with big trades so Presti will be reticent for any improvement beyond the draft. They are so overrun with draft capital that Presti is going to squander it in a way that makes our complaints look silly. Of their 29 draft assets, 17 are 2s and 7 of the 1s are used up in 2027 and may not all convey with protections. Do not be surprised if 5 years from now you see a lot of players drafted by OKC on other teams. Presti will not have places or time to develop all of them. Presti will find a way to kick the can down the road like he has but not efficiently. Some of his picks have great potential but we have the golden tickets. We just need to play them right.

 

Ant has had some moments this season. If they go out sad he might decide the "situation is crazy"

 

Yeah. Overrated player. Gives no effort on defensive end. I hate him.

 

Yes please

 

KD is a media darling and the next step is playing on the national level where the rest of the world is watching. Our youngsters will start getting better calls from the referees as time goes on. Green, Sengun and Aman will add 3-5 points a game each from the foul line because of it.

The real question is cost. Our vets and a FRP or 2 sure, anything more then that we should just keep what we have.

 

No Westbrook type of trades at any cost. KD is not worth 4 picks, and neither is anyone else.

 

So we get to the second round, then we trade Brooks, Londale, Uncle Jeff, Tate, Cam, and a the 29 Suns first for KD. We win the lottery, draft Flagg. We re-sign FVV and Adams to a cheaper longer term deals along with Brook Lopez to replace Londale. We also try to lock up Bari and Tari this offseason before they get restricted next year. New lineup next year is:

FVV-Green-Amen-KD-Sengun

With the following bench mob:

Reed-Eason-Flagg-Jabari-Lopez/Adams

 

People saying he is simply a bad defender are like the people who used to mock Harden.
Much like Harden, Giddey is not quick enough to stick with quick guards. However being 6 foot 8 means he is stronger than most. So he is useful in switching and better at defending bigger players. He gives effort and he must be the best rebounding PG in the league right now.
Chicago would only be letting him go in a sign and trade so I doubt he goes anywhere.