I think a band-aid trade is unlikely, especially if it involves any picks. It's almost impossible to predict this team, but Stone has been wildly underwhelming on trade deadlines, typically holding on to players too long. Can you think of any players that could fill the gap for a reasonable price?
I wouldn't do a trade if it involves a frp for a meh stop gap. I've been very vocal that this is a development year not a play-off year and should be treated as one. I was just stating what I think the Rockets will do, which is waste a pick to solve what is not a long-term issue for this team. Our long-term issue is a terrible backcourt that possibly could be corrected by simply benching FVV and further developing Amen, Jalen, and Cam with an offensive philosophy that fits their skillsets. If you can't fix it internally then make your trades in the off-season when you will be better informed on what you need to do. If you held a gun to my head and said you have to get another forward to fill Jabari's absense it would be Jerami Grant like @ApacheWarrior has been clamoring for or Kuzma that you could get for 2nd round picks. Amen will start in Jabari's absense for now.
Sucks because he has been playing well and improving. I'm not as concerned about missing him while he is out as I am about this being a setback for him. I hope that this doesn't disrupt his progression too much. I think we have enough depth to withstand his absence while he is out even though he will be missed.
Well this sucks, but it forces Ime to look at new line-ups and rotations which could help further develop Amen, Cam and Tari (if he's able to return soon). I was really enjoying Bari's development and loved him playing 5 for those defensive line-ups. He's a sneaky shot blocker/rim protector and his confidence has really improved with his 3pt and mid-range game. As @solid noted we'll appreciate him more when he returns. If we start Amen and Dillon at PF/SF that will give us a pretty solid starting defense, we'll miss Bari's length, but not much because Amen is such a crazy athlete and defensive demon. On offense, Amen will bring more finishing, but we'll miss Bari's 3pt shooting and mid-range game. We'll definitely need our backcourt to pick up the shooting slack and that may become our achilles heel. Cam wanted more playing time, but last night was not a good debut for add'l minutes. He's forcing his game and needs to relax, and let his effort flow with the rhythm of the game. We need to find more easy buckets for him--he's good at cutting to the basket and Alpi/Adams are both great at making those types of passes. If we can get him involved early with some of those opportunities, it should help him. His defensive effort is better, but he needs to take it up another level. As for playmaking, he'll make a pass for what should be an assist and something happens. Afterwards, he just tries to do it all himself, this has been discussed at nauseum, but he needs to keep passing when he doesn't have the shot or someone has a better look. Keep working young fella! We need Tari back! I don't know what to think and speculation is no good. If there are any Docs out there that can educate us on what maybe occurring, please share your thoughts. I love the player and he makes our bench special. With Bari out, we need him even more. Others: Uncle Jeff should get some minutes before Tate. He's old, but smart and still skilled. He may be able to play small ball 5 to fill some of Bari's minutes there. Let's see what happens against the Fakers.
It was mostly just a joke...he's generally trending in the right direction after his abysmal start, but after a really good 12 game stretch of 43%, he's been trash again (30%) for the past half dozen games preceding this injury. Unfortunate indeed.
Gonna miss Bari man. He was playing well on offense, defense and rebounding recently for the most part. Even blocking more shots than usual. Ugh hand fractures f*ck with your accuracy too because your muscles around your hand will atrophy and the balance you're used to your whole life gets reset a bit. Hope it doesn't take him long to get his groove back. We'll need him for the playoffs. I am curious to see who steps up and how the new rotations play. I think this injury is an amazing excuse to acquire a shooting big (ahem Stone). 2 months is a long time and Tari's health has been shaky for over a year now.
