Trade a top 4-5 pick in the draft for a player? The Rockets lack a franchise player, so trading a top draft pick would be a mistake most of the time. Whomever the Rockets would get back (as a player) isn't going to be all that great, or the team trading them, would not trade them.... so the Rockets would likely be getting a good role player back, and that doesn't move the needle for a team without a franchise player. There are more than 3 good players in this draft, and there will likely be a couple all-stars outside the top 3-4. This draft is considered weak outside of about the top 12-15. Amen and Ausar Thompson are there......... Jarace Walker is also going to be in this draft and he is an exceptional defender with a developing outside shot, which would likely make him an all star type talent.... Cam Whitmore also has all star type upside.
The Rockets don't need to trade what is likely to be their last lottery pick for a "good player", they need a franchise type player. They have enough guys that will be good players in a few years.
I would feel differently if I saw “franchise” potential in any prospect outside the top 3, but I don’t. Obviously I could be wrong, but they all have major red flags. Thompson twins — how can you dedicate your lives to basketball and not shoot over .65 from the line? I’m done with parameter players who can’t shoot. Walker — I like him, but his ceiling seems to be a super role player. Whitmore — He can shoot at 3, but that’s it. His defensive metrics are awful. That’s my 4 - 7, and I don’t really love any of them. If you press me, I guess I’ll take either Amen for his upside or Walker for his high floor. But I think there is a significant chance Amen busts and Walker ends up “pretty good.”
Who cares if they are wrong? All that matters is you either have what they highly covet or you don't. This isn't really complicated guys.
Next year teams will be covetting from the Rockets. 1. Jabari 2. Jalen 3. KPJ 4. Sengun 5. Eason We will be able to trade quite a bit next year - as our kids become real NBA players. DD
Friendly reminder to all who post certain +/- stats and note that we play better when certain players are in the game… don’t forget who those players are playing AGAINST. So while yes, we play better when our hustle guys like Tari are in, they’re also typically playing the other teams second unit. It doesn’t necessarily translate to the first unit. Can’t just plug and play guys into lineups and expect the same outcome. In essence, consider the full context of all statistics.
