I think this stuff is on the right track, but there are two factors I'm not sure you're considering fully, that I'm quite sure will factor into the team's thinking: 1. Years of cost control matters a ton for us. Guys like Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu or Norman Powell have trade value in large part due to their great value contracts next season, but will be unrestricted free agents in 2026 and will be paid at the UFA contract rate (i.e., overpaid). That's no good for our needs. Our cap sheet is very clean next season. Cost control out to ~2028-29 is what moves the needle for us. 2. IMO you're underestimating the level of player that our FO perceive as an upgrade on FVV. I'm almost certain Stone or Witus or Ime think that steady state FVV is straight up better than Jose Alvarado or Ayo Dosunmu or Ty Jerome or NAW. I doubt they think the upgrade from FVV to Quentin Grimes or Coby White is significant. Not saying I agree, but our FO/coach acquired and continually empowers FVV for a reason. Because they're higher on him than most everyone else (probably bc of the still good impact metrics and the personality). Hence I think it's very very unlikely you see an "upgrade" of the PG spot to a player like this. There's probably only like 10-12 PG's in the league they think would represent a significant upgrade on FVV. IMO, because of this, the backcourt "upgrade" will be a legit dude (either a top 50ish player or at least a top 50 asset), or it won't be anyone external at all.
I was more thinking of it as a guy in addition to FVV rather than as a replacement. Reduce his minutes load, make it easier for us to rest him if he's not 100%--hopefully his per-minute production improves as a result. That's why I'm kind of okay with Reed and/or Cam going out in the deal--I don't know if there would be minutes for them anyway. (There barely even are now.)
That's not necessarily true - you have the full NT-MLE to offer. No, it's not star or superstar money but $14,104,000 can buy you a starter level player. Only a handful of teams have more than that in actual cap space .... There will be bargains to be had this offseason as teams refuse to spend above aprons. The Rockets can actually be one of those teams with more than MLE money in cap space .... but it involves cutting Jock & Holiday while renouncing Adams. It would be a difficult decision.
Grizz got swept. If they become sellers this offseason, we should ask after JJJ over Ja. They might second-guess giving him a supermax extension if he makes All-NBA. Can't imagine a much better frontcourt fit next to Alpi and Amen. I know he's not really a #1 option in the playoffs type of guy, but neither is Morant IMO (especially since he's hurt all the time). I think we could have the #1 defense with him in the fold, and our spacing would get a lot better, and we'd have a very balanced attack between him, Jalen, Alpi, and Amen. Short of acquiring a top 10 player in his prime, I don't think there's a player in the league I'd rather trade for than JJJ. I'd happily send out Jabari, Reed, and multiple FRPs to get it done, honestly.
Also, speaking of the Grizz, we should see if we can pick up Luke Kennard this offseason to play 6th man for us. Wonder if the non-taxpayer MLE would be enough? He's not really a point guard, but he's a pretty good passer for a shooting guard, so I think he could slot in fine alongside Amen and/or Sengun at times without running a "real" point guard out there.
JJJ is expiring in 2026 and will likely get a large raise. He is definitely better than Jabari, but I don’t think he is so much better to justify (1) trading assets for him and (2) paying him $35+ million dollars starting in 2026. I would rather just keep Bari who is a better rebounder, a similar level shooter, and will much much cheaper.
Jabari is a fine defensive player, but JJJ is vastly better on that end. What makes him such a great fit for us is that he's an all-defense caliber talent on that end (former DPOY) who can play the role of shotblocker/rim protector and can play both PF and C. Which is exactly what we need alongside Sengun. And then on the other hand, not only can he knock down threes at a similar level to Jabari, he also brings real rim pressure at a level Bari does not. Of course if we could get him without giving up Jabari I'd love that. I'll bet the Grizz will demand one or more members of our young core though.
He's under contract at the minimum through 2027-2028. We'd have to trade for him, and given his value over salary, it probably wouldn't come cheap. Would love to have him though
would it be possible to just waive fred's team option and sign harden in the off season and run it bak with the same crew?
Jalen and Fred plus 2 first rounds for Giannis. Send Cam, filler and 1 first or 2 seconds for a PG, grab more wings, grab a better offensive minded coach as an assistant. Championship contender.
running it back with Harden woukd be my preference too, but we’d probably have to do a sign and trade because the Sengun and Jalen extensions kick in. I don’t think we can just take him into our cap space. But if Harden wanted to come back to Houston, I’m sure the Clips would rather get something in return than nothing. The Clips would probably have to wash out of the playoffs for Harden to leave. They look pretty good.
Who cares what they say. I say no. What about the Buck's performance in this playoffs leads you to believe we'd be a competitive team with him if we had to trade away Amen and Sengun for him?
I'm a big Jabari fan and defender, and even I'd admit JJJ would be a massive upgrade over him. JJJ averaged 22 ppg last season on a .59 TS% while playing great defense. Bari is nowhere near JJJ at the moment. If we didn't have to trade Jalen, Sengun, or Amen, I'd empty the cupboards for JJJ. Picks, prospects, whatever. A JJJ / Green / Amen / Sengun core is a fantastic fit and would keep us competitive for a long time.
Getting JJJ and losing Jabari defeats the purpose. I'm all for acquiring JJJ and moving Jabari to SF. Amen, Jalen, Jabari, JJJ, Sengun. Best defensive unit in the league and Jalen, Jabari, and JJJ provide much needed shooting. 2nd unit of Reed (or MLE), Dillon, Tari, Adams (or draft pick or acquisition. If Sengun becomes a reliable shooter out to the 3 pt line, it's a championship level team for sure. The wild card is Jalen as usual.
