If we were to run it back, I, personally, would (1) let FVV walk; and (2) extend Bari, Tari, and Adams. Let's Amen, Sheppard, and potentially our top 10 draft pick compete for the PG role. However, I do see the logic in opting-into FVV's contract so that we have a big, expiring salary for a trade. I just worry he's been a crutch for Ime.
Even in the close losses, Van Vleet and Brooks ball handling controlled the game and prevented the Rockets from blowout losses. Go back to the video and examine it yourself. I would say Van Vleet, Thompson, Brooks and Sengun ball control is why the Rockets are even this close. Sure there were some boneheaded plays but discrediting Van Vleet's lead is some serious short sightedness and non-appreciation. I say Vleet, Brooks and Thompson are the Rockets ready ball handlers that compete with Curry best.
I just don't think so You could do it if amen and green were just a bit better But sengun is the best offensive threat and he's showing pretty good defense If it's only sengun that is very good value for him , but also Giannis is getting up there . If it was for Giannis a year or two ago I think you no doubt do it. Right now , especially if it's only sengun you probably do it ... But it hurts
Giannis' athleticism will fade rapidly from this point on while Sengun's game is trajecting towards a more athletic Jokic.
Yeah I mean the issue is it wouldn't be just Sengun. (It actually can't be for salary-matching reasons, but also, no way the Bucks accept that, not enough value coming back their way.) I think the sensible deal would be something along the lines of Sengun + Tari + Cam + Jock. The Rockets wouldn't have minutes available for Tari anyway if they traded for Giannis, and Cam is gone this offseason one way or another. I think I might even do that deal, as much as I love Sengun and Tari... but the question is how many first round picks the Bucks would want on top of it. Sengun + Tari + Cam is already a lot of value, but Giannis is a true superstar, and I guarantee they'd also ask for multiple FRPs, or even demand Amen be included. I think the price might just be too high to make sense. But on the other hand, when else are the Rockets going to have the opportunity to acquire a top 5 player?
That's wild dude, but respect for being will to stake your claim. I hope Sengun will be as good as you clearly think he will. For me, I think I would probably do any of those trades, although I would try a lot of other proposed packages first before reluctantly letting Alpi go and wishing him well.
I think if they are gonna be veteran leadership they need to play way better than they have in these playoffs. lead by example this hasnt been enough.
I don’t know man. the way sengun is playing seems pretty solid. even if he’s missing bunnies and close shots. He’s been vital to our success. Still once again only 22. If he continues to work on his game and improve his close shot, would we be having this discussion. What if by the time he’s 26 he’s got a midrange/3pt shot that’s respectable. knows how to pass the ball and rebound. Even though Giannis is a top 3 player, he has no outside game. He relies on athleticism which will fade with age. Would stand Pat and make trades for Green’s role.
What would be the appeal for Giannis to come here if Sengun was on his way out? To have Jalen Green as his sidekick? Let's be real CF.
Fully depends on what Fred wants for the next few years. If he is willing to take some discount and role that is more like back up point, and spot starter/closer to settle the team down, then sure. Basically he can't come back at this contract with the expectation of this role. The issue with that idea though is would Udoka follow it, or would he end up giving all the minutes to Fred.
There so many reasons for Giannis to not come to the Rockets. WC schedule and playoff road, more true elite bigs in the WC, no wing last game scorer, no good FT shooters, no 3 pt shooters, lack of offensive scheme/coaching that can create options and over come stuff. His window is the next 1-3 years. Houston isn't fixing all that in that time period.
I've thought about this a lot over the last couple of months with the Bucks struggling and the rumor mill flying. I used to be in the mindset of "if you can get a top 5 guy, no one is off-limits." But I'm not sure I feel that way anymore. Consider how much of a leap this team made this year without a true superstar and how young they still are; what if we haven't even tapped into Sengun's true ceiling yet? On top of that, Giannis is almost eight full years older than Sengun. Given how well he keeps himself in shape, he could feasibly be the next Lebron and play until he's nearly 40. But he's also so reliant on athleticism that he could fall off a cliff in 3-4 years when Sengun will be peaking. Finally, if you deal for Giannis, you want to still have a core in place that can win a title. I'm not so sure that, alone, will net this team a title. Giannis doesn't suddenly fix our biggest issue, which is shooting. You'd need other moves still. So, would I trade for Giannis? 1,000%. But superstars rarely ever get traded for fair value; they're dealt for pennies on the dollar. And if I'm Stone, I'd say "Sengun and Amen are off limits, but every other asset we have is on the table." If the Bucks balk at that, let them. We could still build a better package of assets without those two guys than 90% of the rest of the league.
Rockets front office consider Amen to be untouchable. So I think the plan is to trade for a superstar like Giannis to pair up with a potential future all star in Amen.
Picture this: Giannis walks into a locker room that already includes Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and maybe even Steven Adams. That’s not just a roster, it's a statement. Long, athletic, physical. Every guy either moves like a wing or defends like one. They’re not just talented. They’re built to grind. And they're coached by a former player who treats defense not as a tactic, but as a culture. Accountability isn't optional. In that setting, Giannis wouldn't just be the best offensive weapon on the floor, he'd likely lead what could become the top defense in the league. He would have what he had in Milwaukee, where he won an NBA title.
I'd consider moving Jalen Green, too, though I'm not ready to just give up on him. It's the same deal as with Sengun. If you're going to trade him, it has to be for an upgrade, for the right fit. But now we know Amen Thompson is the guy. He's the future of the franchise. The focus should be on surrounding him with pieces that complement his unique skill set.
Personally, I see Amen as the most untouchable guy we have. I get it though, he has had a bad series up until last night. And when he looks bad it looks like he’s someone you shouldn’t play with other non shooters. But I believe in him and his ability to develop a shot. I also think he could turn into a 1A type guy as a creator and ball handler. I think his youth has showed a bit in this series, but as he grows he’s gonna be unstoppable. I would love to have the problem of figuring out how to make him a work with Giannis.
