After seeing the Knicks take the ring I am adjusting my thoughts on this Rockets team. Knicks picked up Brunson in 2022 and that turned out to be a great gamble setting up their franchise (much like how Harden did that for Houston). Two years later they traded Randle for KAT and then picked up Bridges for several 1st round picks (something that may well hurt in the future but got a ring out of it). There's a big chance that the dynasty era of the NBA is all but over and you need to win it when you can get it. The Rockets have that guy in KD that can be their weapon of choice whenever they need it and should continue to be a Rocket. What they seriously need to do now is explore a Sengun trade. He's our Randle right now, effective enough but can do much better cohesively with someone else. Jabari is another we can explore a trade for, but he's an interesting one. I don't want to keep him as a KD clone for the future because he will never get there, but he can spell out KD more often during games allowing him to get plenty of rest. I feel the Rockets don't lose a ton when he's on the floor but he's better suited off the bench right now and I don't see that happening. Imagine Jabari starting at Center though? Amen is the guy you have on your team when you want to win a ring. Guy is tough-nosed, doesn't hog the ball and plays defense like crazy. If we have a shot a Giannis for Sengun and some picks (Okay with Eason and DFS being involved) then we should do it but only if this team is willing to invest in some straight up shooters. FVV can control the flow but is not that dead-eye sniper at the guard position we need. Reed is the closest thing we have but he needs to stay off the bench (as no way I want FVV and Reed to be in the starting lineup together, we'd get killed). Jabari, KD, Giannis would be an interesting front court and feel Jabari can be that guy who can make a huge difference if he can learn to play down low more and not on the wing. Amen and FVV to round out the starting 5 could be our best chance at fast start games. Capela and Adams off the bench mix-matching minutes when needed when we need true centers in the game can be beneficial if we have dead-eye shooters surrounding them. Reed can be one but we need two more to plug in. If the Rockets can manage a Giannis trade and 2 point-blank shooters then we have ourself a team that can compete with anyone next year.
