We are half-way through the season and have seen enough to get a gauge on who is on this team. Based on what you have seen, and trusting your 6th sense, what players do you see as the guys you want on the team 3 - 5 years from now when the Rockets are really trying to make a run for a Championship. Remember, vets are necessary too so don't rule them out. I was only able to put 10 options on there so if there is someone else, add in your comment. The thing I look for is Attitude, Current Skillset, Growth Potential, Work Ethic and Health. There are only a few that stand out to me that make me think they will have that combination of skill and grit necessary to compete. Who stands out to you?
Green, Sengun, Jaygup are untouchables for at least their rookie contracts. Tate has made strides, Mathews led the win streak but regressed, Armoni had good and mediocre moments. CWood should be dangled for a trade. KPJ is here for at least another year. I am not sure about KJ, for the right price.
Run for the championship? U mean run for the play-in or playoffs? Green, Sengun, and JC are keepers for sure…KJ is borderline Wood and KPJr can go the rest are whatever…I will lose zero sleep if they’re gone a few years from now
Green, Sengun, Christopher, Tate and KJ are the players I'd build around. Everybody else is either filler or trade bait.
Sengun and Green are the only locks to be here next season. Tate is a rock solid role player and Martin has the upside of a solid role player. These aren't the guys you worry about until you're ready to win, which we aren't. We should probably hold onto Martin to see if he comes closer to his potential because I don't think he has a ton of trade value right now. Christopher has shown flashes that he can be an impact 2 way player, so you probably don't want to give up on that, even if he feels like a long shot to hit that potential. I've been done with Porter since he walked out. He will forever be a time bomb, and unless he becomes a franchise carry superstar, which I don't see him ever coming close to, he will never justify the headache. Mathews is what he is, functional role player. Garuba looks like just a guy so far.
For sure core players: Sengun, Green Potential core players: KPJ, JC, Garuba Role players (potentially traded or re-signed at reasonable rates): Matthews, KMJ, Tate The rest are roster fodder. I love Tate as a glue player off the bench. When we are contenders he will be either gone or a solid bench player. He is too short and too poor of a shooter to start on a contending team.
In this order Jalen, Alp, JC. Good to have around also, Tate and KJM, but I wouldn’t consider them our core. I think RGV can build around KPJ, until his FG% increases.
I haven't voted yet, but Wood has zero votes right now . If taking a temperature, this aligns with how I think most CF would have voted. Green and Sengun and some JC. and less Wood. Rocket org is open to listen on Wood offers, I'm not sure Silas/Stone are quite there. Think in their mind Wood might still be part of the future. If this poll is given to NBA non Rockets fans/GMs, Wood might be 2nd leading after Green. If Gordon is traded for picks and prospect, that's offense that has to be picked up by the rest. Same with Wood if he's gone. I know folks feel Sengun can get some of Wood's. Yes our records are bad anyways and quite a few are blow outs. Offensively, Gordon and Wood are Silas' safety blanket. If Gordon is for sure gone, Silas may cling to Wood more because of Wood's offense.
You've got Sengun, KPJ, Christopher, KMJ, and Green that should certainly stick around. Everyone else is expendable because they don't fit the rebuild window unless the Rockets really hit on a franchise caliber player in next year's draft.
Right now, there are only 4 that I think match the things I'm looking for with regard to guys who are going to have what it takes to compete. Sengun Tate Christopher Mathews All other guys right now don't seem to have the level of consistency, skill set or most of all Mental Toughness to fight through the highs and lows for a Championship. In 3 - 5 years, I see those 4 guys as tough, gritty, seasoned fighters that when you put them on the floor, they are laying it out there every play and using their head. The rest, trade 'em.
Im not a big fan of Tate tbh. His 3point is too shakey and for his playing style he is undersized in the NBA
Tate Green KJ Martin Sengun Christopher are the essentials. I’m waiting for Gary Bird to show up again as well. honestly we don’t even know if we have a franchise guy on this roster. That should tell everyone how far away we really are.
Don't get the hype with Martin. Superundersized PF, not skilled, low IQ, below average rebounder and defender.... Basically the reasons why he was undrafted. Eventually can put some numbers but wont help you win in the long run. I haven't voted for Wood, but I think he could have a winning impact as a PF (not as a center, where he's too soft) if he works on his low post game. I've voted for Jalen Green, Christopher, Sengun, Garuba and Tate.
Green and Sengun are building blocks. KPjr can play out top or off the wing. He's quickly becoming a helluva defensive player. for the most part locked in 24-7...As long as Kevin continues to make personal progress, I see no reason why he shouldn't be here. Way too valuable... As I've said before, I wanted Grimes over JC, but Josh looks to be a solid 2 way starter one day. JC's really more of a 2/3..gonna fill out that frame. Everybody else, always have your bags packed.
I voted for JC, Jalen, KJ, Sengun, and Tate. Josh Christopher looks good but I don't know about his fit next to Jalen since neither of them can really playmake. Maybe/hopefully one of them can develop into this role but if not I'd think we still need a point guard. Obviously we keep them both for now and see where they go because JC has been much better than advertised, but I do wonder about the fit there. Maybe Sengun would be our primary playmaker with those two guards on the floor.
