I get it, but we can’t go into next year status quo. We either need to make a blockbuster or several upgrade moves for guys like Naz or Collins or another SG. Right now we are built to be a good, not great, regular season team. We will never go anywhere in the playoffs with FVV and Jalen as our starting backcourt. I’ll continue to get roasted for this but Sengun in a trade for Giannis and another consolidation trade to add vet shooters. Amen, Giannis, Jabari, Tari, Dillon and the rest of a re-vamped lineup is instantly in contention and for the next 4-5 years.
Naz doesn’t solve our problems. Our problem is the backcourt. Shooting and rim protection more generally. Naz is not a rim-protecting big. Upgrading Fred is the single best thing we can do to improve the team.
9th selection in the past 24 years. 50% hit rate over the past 2 decades. Obviously not 'franchoooise' players but big contributors. Iggy Joakim Noah and his hot mom Amare Stoudemire Derozan, cuh Gordon Hayward Edney Sochan Rodman wannabe Hachimura Deny Avdija Davion Mitchell Jakob Poetl
Couldn't agree more.. It's time. Obviously, I've been pretty vociferous in my support for Booker, but Giannis should be a priority if available. It would be nice if he would demand a trade here, bringing his price down. But, considering his history with the Bucks, I would guess not. So, Sengun + for Giannis, but not TOO much. If we went this route, I'd sign Brogdon too. He's a nice, reliable piece, when healthy...an Ime guy to be sure...perfect to hold the line until Reed is ready, and solid rotational glue always. The only reservation I have with Giannis besides health or drop-off due to age eventually, is if it makes us start to go for too many older players...significant ones.... That said, if it's reasonable, you have to do it. Sengun +
That was actually accounting for a roster spot for a drafted player and one more open roster spot, just add ~$6m to the total for the 9 pick.
(not contradicting you, just carrying forward the discussion) I presume the FO would certainly go after Giannis if available. If a 30yo all time great is available, you have to. However even if we traded for Giannis, the prime question will still be: who is the perimeter on-ball guy for this team over the next 5 years? We are close to the ceiling of a team without a playoff level guy in that role. If we had Giannis, we'd still need someone legit in that role to go anywhere. Obviously it's not FVV. IMO, development from Jalen or Reed or Amen into that perimeter primary role is possible but not probable. I think there has to be a real guy added over the next 12-18 months to be that person for us over the next 5-7 years. Reed/Amen could still develop alongside that guy. Would probably be better for their development than the status quo tbh.
Assuming Giannis, how about Booker? Brogdon, Reed Booker Amen Giannis Jabari We'd have to dig deep into the cupboard, but..
I agree Naz would be a good fit here - I mentioned him as a trade target 18 months ago or so. But at the expense of a lottery pick and one or more of the players on the roster to start the offseason - that's a bit rich. Trading him into cap space also means declining the options on Jock & Holiday as well as giving up bird rights on Adams, Tate & Uncle Jeff. That makes you ca cap space team for the year - no MLE, you get the room exception and vet minimums to fill out the roster and still don't have a point guard. Can you start him with Sengun? If so, you can send out Jabari & Landale or Brooks straight up (over the cap). Is he worth either combination plus the 9 pick? Doing that makes your shooting issues worse - Brooks & Jabari being your most consistent shooters this season. Sengun, Naz, Amen, Jalen, PG ???. I'd rather go after Ty Jerome, retain Adams and use that pick on a potential superstar guard - even if that guy doesn't play a whole lot year 1.
So we just going full dumb mode with trades now. The Rockets did not stock pile picks and rebuild only to overpay for free agents that will not win us a ring anyway. They have an exciting young core team that they will take full advantage of, while putting people in the stands, for at least a few more years.
I'm not sure what you find so abhorrent about the above lineup. We contend and reload on the run, with organic growth from our young guys, trades, FA, buyouts, etc. That said, it's but one end of the spectrum. I'm all for the longterm organic deal, but at some point we have to shove our chips in. If Giannis AND Book can be had reasonable, you do it. One could DEMAND a trade here, reducing the price.
My issue with this is Amen will eventually want the max or close to it and some team will be willing to pay it. Booker/Giannis taking up ~70% of the cap is hard to build around with all of the new cap rules. If we do Giannis, I'd look elsewhere for the second star if I'm looking outside of our team so that we can compete for more than 1 or 2 years before having to break it all up again. I also have a hard time seeing any trade or multi trade where we end up with both Giannis and Booker with their contracts and PHX second apron cap situation
Those players would be like buying a stock after it already exploded expecting as much gains as it already has. The Rockets organization will have fans in the seats with their current lineup, and tweaking it over the next year or so for much cheaper. I don't see our owner over spending for a short run when the long term right now is optimistic already.
I agree which is why I say if you trade for Giannis, you might as well include Amen in the trade. They both will have cause issues lying together anyway because of their lack of shooting threat. Teams will pack the paint on them. If we had a creative coach I offense (like we had wilhbAdelamn) the. I’d try it but I don’t believe or expect Ime to be able to solve the issue of a lineup involving Sengun, Amen, And Giannis. He’s not that type Of coach. He’ll just tell them to play harder
"We just need to work harder, hustle more, let our defense create offense." - How to coach offense by Ime Udoka.
Man I'm glad most of y'all are just fans and have no power to fck up the team with most of your trade proposals. Lmao
