Well that's silly. We're bottom 5 in TS% and really need our top scorer who's the only player worth double teaming in the playoffs. What we don't need is the guy who's backed up by Tari Eason and Amen Thompson. Would be insane to downgrade our offense just as we upgraded another spot offensively. Anyway, this seems like a crusade you're on. It's obvious you're going to be upset Jalen is going to be here whether the deal happens or not.
What do you mean that a player whose only accolades in four years are first-team all-rookie and one rookie of the month award isn't an attractive piece? I don't understand how anyone can witness what we saw in the playoffs this year, much less the inconsistency of the last four years, and deem him untouchable. Compare Green to who was drafted around him in the 2021 draft: Cade Cunningham: All-Star (1), 3rd Team All-NBA (1), Player of the week (1), Rookie of the month (1), All-Rookie (1) Jalen Green: Player of the week (3), Rookie of the month (1), All-Rookie (1) Evan Mobley: Defensive Player of the Year (1), 2nd-Team All-NBA (1), All Star (1), All-Defense (2), All-Rookie (1), Defensive player of the month (2), Rookie of the Month (1) Scottie Barnes: Rookie of the Year (1), All Star (1), Player of the Week (1), Rookie of the Month (2), All-Rookie (1) We missed on him. There's no shame in cutting bait now if you don't think he'll catch up to his draft cohort.
On paper, Vassell is more efficient, but that's primarily because he plays a cleaner, lower-usage role; unlike Jalen, he isn't expected to create. Jalen’s the leading scorer on a 50-win team, while drawing teams best defenders. Vassell is solid and fits into a system, but let’s be real he’s not leading a playoff team in scoring. Clean shooting splits don't tell the full story IMO.
Perhaps you're not familiar with baseball but the main difference is that baseball has a minor league system. The Astros traded their minor leaguers to the Tigers for Verlander not their actual player on the big leagues. Meanwhile the Suns traded players in their rotation, Bridges and Johnson to the Nets, later CP3 for Beal, and Ayton for stuff in order to work around the KD trade. They gutted their core for KD. The Astros gave up no one from their major league squad for Verlander.
I feel like I'd draw the line at multiple picks unless Phoenix was throwing something else into the deal. He's only got one year left, and he'll be 37 before the season starts. To me, a top 10 pick in a solid draft plus Fred or Jalen and some throw-in assets should be plenty. If another team tops that, you tip your cap and walk away. But I'm not throwing away assets for a guy who's got a super short window left of his prime as an elite player. And then we'd have to extend him on top of that.
This! Under the second apron, giving up a ton of assets for a Max Salary, yet not MVP candidate, is usually a disaster. Have to play it like the Lakers and give up the older max player for the MVP candidate (If the Rockets had been the Lakers, the NBA steps in "for the good of the league").
The Rockets have been so patient in building this team, I just can't see them gutting it for a 37 year old Kevin Durant. It makes no sense. If you're going to blow it up, don't do it for a rental. And at this point in his career, that's likely what Durant is becoming. Yes, he would be a perfect fit, but probably not for very long. I really hope someone else gets him.
Spoiler This person is a Wolves fan “Let's watch some Kevin Durant tape from a game against a high powered opponent this year: a (mostly) healthy Mavs squad from November 8th.” A thread:
We better not trade JG for KD. Injury prone almost 37 year old. He goes down, we’re screwed.. this is too risky and I don’t think we’d win it all in the next 2 years
Please, please, PLEASE do not trade for KD. We've done a great job building this team so far. Stop being impatient. 37 year old KD is not going to push us to beating OKC, Denver or Minnesota 4 times in a 7 game series. Do not trade any of the core for this guy.
