I don’t see much worth signing for trade hopes. Why waste the money just to get someone who would maybe net you a 2nd rounder? I saw this too. They were looking for a sign and trade. Makes me curious how much he wants. He isn’t worth more than Theis or Olynyk, imo. Not enough defense yet.
I would like to see the team maintain some flexibility in case an interesting trade can be made in February. Admittedly I don’t get all the calls for tanking this season. With all the youth on the team it sees to me that next year’s move will be to attract some vets to solidify rotations.
as a quick fix maybe, he’ll already be 31 next month but i was thinking of a younger guy to grow with this group
If you can pick up Markkanen, you absolutely do it. If not him, I’d say probably nobody else. He’s young enough to roll the dice on, and would probably continue to grow along with the rest of the younger guys. Plus his defense is already terrible, so he’d fit right in. Unfortunately though, I don’t think there is any chance at all of it happening.
I am not opposed to trading Wood if the right deal were offered. This isn't it. Markkanen isn't anywhere near as good as Wood and he's only about a year younger. If you can grab a guy like Markkanen in free agency on the MLE I'm all for it. He could be a buy low acquisition that could either be a part of our future or flipped later for more assets. But I don't want to give up one of our best players and most valuable assets to get him. That just doesn't even make sense.
I read what Iko wrote and couldn't tell if these are his assumptions or if he has heard these are players the Rockets are considering adding to the squad?
There are several scenario's where clearing a roster space sends out more money than the MLE ... Any move with Wall or EG and a combination of Augustin & House would clear more than the MLE. I think it's pretty clear than none of EG , Wall , House or Augustin really fit this team or its timeline in - House just being a dumbass .... If you can move any of them and bring back some return I think you do that and then explore the MLE market - and you don't have to spend it all either. The Rockets don't have a roster spot available to sign anyone currently , they'd have to clear a spot. Vanderbilt & Winslow make some sense .... the other two being guards don't , they are already loaded at the guard spots and probably need to clear the logjam. There's been a lot of smoke surrounding EG since before the draft ..... I don't expect him to get moved but its totally possible & that could open up a roster spot under the right circumstances.
I'm not worried about the MLE helping us win games and ruining our 2022 draft. generally I do want to ensure we get another top 3 pick next year, but I don't think anyone we sign for the MLE will move the needle that much. we're on the bottom with the magic and okc. we will be very close to the Cavs, spurs and pistons but I think those teams will be trying to get to the play in game. the spurs and pistons have signed one vets in an attempt to win some games. Jared Vanderbilt for the MLE won't vault us over the Cavs and pistons. still, we're likely in the mix for a top 3 pick, probably top 6, regardless of who we sign for the MLE. now I'd rather sign someone to a very tradable contract (like Oubre for MLE) which we can trade later for a pick, or take a flyer on an up and coming guy and see if we can develop another asset, like Vanderbilt.
