Rafael Stone: "I think continuity for continuity's sake isn't what we're trying to achieve

Even though his production, efficiency and durability were again very good this year, Brooke Lopez looked liked he lost a step this year. Yes, I know he's been slow as molasses for a long time, but he seemed even slower in the games I saw him play last season.

I would not touch him unless only one year was guaranteed. My gut says his game on both ends is ready to take a hard fall off a cliff.

 

Or you could have just summarized it to : He is a good player but he does not fit our trajectory.

 

Don’t bet on that.

 

He's 37 so yeah--any player this age I don't want to guarantee more than one year, even KD. (One of my biggest problems with trading for Durant as well--what kind of extension is he asking for??)

 

His big offseason moves will be two things:
1) Sign FVV 4 years 180 million (team option yr 4);
2) Trade 10th pick for 2029 & 2031 first rounders.
That’s who Stone is no matter what BS he sells to the media. He is a lawyer and it is always about kicking the can down the road. I laughed when he said he’s in it to win it. Can anyone name the two superstars he acquired at the trade deadline???

 

He says that and is about to sign fking fvv to am extension

 

Clutchfans isn't ready at all for that extension lol. 3 yrs $90M minimum is gonna be so funny and sad at the same time.

 

agreed. Once I saw him operating like a tanking team taking garbage picks and money at the deadline, I lost all hope. Every other team was looking to upgrade while Stone was operating like we were still a lottery team.

 

To the Lakers? Yes confirmed

 

has oladipo recovered from the myriad injuries yet? stutterin stone gonna show up at his doorstep midnite when free agency starts lol

 

Sengun was a trade.

 

With what assets?


EDIT: nvm. Fake twitter

 

I agree. I also don't think he fits anywhere in to the Rockets defensive scheme.He was bad against Indiana in this years playoffs as well.

 

yall still falling for Centel lmao

 

In a way that might be perfect though - you aren’t tying yourself to an expensive asset for a long time that might or might not work or might not be needed. And if it works really well you found the blueprint and can go looking for a younger guy. The problem with the KD trade is Suns probably don’t want Jalen. Then it becomes tricky.

 

The Commissioner.

 

Nooooooooooo

 

I'm glad he didn't waste assets on a deadline deal that wasn't going to ultimately move the needle.

There wasn't a star he could get and picking up some bench piece wasn't going to get them to the finals.

Contrary to popular belief, they don't have a lot of assets to throw around 8 total #1 picks in the next 7 drafts. None next year.

They can't trade the 10th pick away outright. Swap only.
No 26 pick.
27 - own pick or Brooklyn swap and Phx pick - one can be traded, the other swapped.
28 swap or trade
29 two best of Houston, Dallas & PHX - only one can be traded if the 28 pick is traded.
30
31


Essentially, they only have 4 picks that can be outright traded in the next 7 drafts. You throw one of those picks at a minor upgrade at last year's deadline and now you don't have the assets to make that blockbuster trade for the star player you don't have yet.


OKC has at least 12 #1's over that time and the Spurs 11.

 

The Rockets are tied for 6th in number of FRPs incoming and 2nd among teams that are in a position to actually trade picks. With a ton of young players as well, the Rockets can probably outbid any team other than OKC. I suspect in any trade for a star, San Antonio is perhaps a bigger threat if they are willing to put in the No. 2 overall pick.

With having two good, young non-shooters in Amen and Sengun, I think Rockets would be willing to deal one of them. I just don't see another team offering any asset better than either Amen or Sengun for a star.