I think the Rockets are set at guard with a 3 man rotation of KPJ/Green/Christopher with Brooks and Matthews getting some spot minutes for spacing. I am hoping that Sengun and Garuba can hold down the 5 for 48 average to above average minutes. So that leaves wings. I like Tate but wonder if he isn't more valuable as an asset than as a player (could he return a first rounder from the Knicks maybe?). Martin, I think, is a guy worth keeping around in the hopes he can get his shooting from late last season back. He's a hell of a role player if he shoots 38% or so. Also think that Matthews can play some 3. So really it is the 4 that needs some love from Stone. Banchero/Smith would be perfect. If we arent in position to get one of those guys I do like Keegan Murray or Patrick Baldwin but those guys are more role players than difference makers in my mind.
It's technically year 2 of post Harden era, even though it feels like year one, because last year we had to get the picks first. As far as future; I am curious what Stone and Silas will do at the next two milestones: mid season report card and end of season. You have guys like Wood possible trade talks, and KPJ is extension eligible. There's also this full roster list of young players. Seems like not enough playing time to go around. Rockets may need to make room for the 2022 draft: Houston first-round pick First-round selection from Brooklyn OR Miami (top-14 protected), whichever is higher. That's a possible two roster spot. If guys like Gordon or Wood gets traded, it's possible there's more people coming in than going out. Rockets waived House, which is fine, but eventually other guys will be on the chopping block or G-league bound. With health & safety protocols, bodies are needed for now. But eventually things will stabilize and the openings will go back down. --- List of players in future plans. Not who I personally like, but more of who I think Rockets Org favors currently for foundation. A-tier: Green (#2 pick expectation), KPJ B-tier: Sengun and Christopher. (JC has moved up) C-tier: Brooks, KJ, Tate, Garrison. (all likable guys and maybe will break out, ok to play them, but also guys the org might move if certain deals come along) Garuba - the read is team doesn't think he's readyD-tier: Theis / DJ - stabilizing vet presence. F-tier: Queen, Nix DNP: Wall Wood and Gordon are question marks. Wood technically would be in the a-tier, as far as who Rocket feels is important. I do wonder how cold and calculating if Stone was to realistically look at the whole thing and also not be anchored by endowment effect; hopefully proper appraisal for Wood.
It is going to be a very hard task getting all these guards down to 3-4 that you want to play and getting rid of the rest. DD
The upside about the wheels coming off with Wood and KPJ is that neither were essential to our rebuild, we’re not on the hook for much money, and we have a very good look at another top 3 pick…which we badly need. I think it also puts Stone on the hot seat with a track record of very questionable moves, and it exposes Silas’ inability to control his team, which should make it easier to move on in the offseason. just trying to find the silver lining
Bump with the deadline approaching. Trades: 1) EG to Cleveland for Rubio and their lottery protected first (currently Pick 23) 2) Wood to Washington for Hachimura, Bryant and swap of Washington's first with best pick of Miami/Brooklyn (would currently move Rockets up from pick 24 to pick 17) With these two deals the Rockets move EG off of their cap for an expiring and a frp. Bonus that we do right by Gordon sending him to a playoff team and reuniting him with JB. The Wood deal is less than I had hoped a month ago (I was proposing Patrick Williams as a target). But there is value in Hachimura who is a skilled big body at a position of need. He probably is a depth piece but the Rockets have a year to look at the fit before his rookie deal expires. Bryant is probably allowed to walk after the season but could come back as a depth piece if he is willing to sign for low money. And the Rockets move their mid 20s pick to just outside the lottery. The Rockets would then, hypothetically, add picks 3, 17 & 23 to the foundation below. Guards: KPJ/Green/Christopher Forwards: Tate/Martin/Hachimura Centers: Sengun/Garuba The Rockets add Paolo Banchero (PF, Duke at pick 3), Kennedy Chandler (PG, Tennessee at pick 17) & Tari Eason (Combo forward, LSU at pick 23).
