Gordon Hayward's ridiculous contract has set the market price for small forwards this summer. Whether the Rockets keep Parsons, or sign someone like Deng or Ariza... there's little doubt that they'll be paying $14M to $15M. So who should the Rockets have at small forward next season?
You might be able to argue that Ariza and Deng are equally good defenders, but Deng is a little more versatile in the sense that he can play some 4.
I can't stand Ariza. What are the other options? I am definitely against paying Parsons max money; not worth it, not even close.
What about BOTH Deng and Parsons? This is likely our last chance to improve our roster significantly in the next 2-3 years... Got to think Morey and co. have to swing for the fences.
Both Deng and Parsons. We gotta get somebody and Deng is the best talent available. It gives us the best avenue to improve.
Too bad Deng only shoots inefficient mid-range jumpers and doesn't shoot the three well, Morey wouldn't go for him.
I don't think you pay 15 min for ANY of those players but if we really had to then it would be Ariza. We need a 3 that can defend AND shoot the 3 pointer.
What's wrong with signing a free agent AND re-sign Parsons at the same time. Do people think we're coming off a 30 win season and need to tank if we don't get a star or something? My goodness, we just won 54 games last year. The Rockets aren't tanking. They're trying to get better.
That was before Gordon Hayward AND Chandler Parsons got $15M contracts. You can bet Deng and Ariza's asking prices have skyrocketed since then. The problem with Deng is spacing. The Rockets need shooters around Dwight. Of the 3 small forwards available, Deng is easily the worst fit for the Rockets' system. Ariza, on the other hand, only seems to play well whenever his contract is up. I would be very wary of signing a habitual contract-year phenom like him. The best option is to keep Parsons. At least then the Rockets can spend $17M to fill out the roster with decent free agents AND also keep Parsons. But with a 48-hour timetable.... that is going to be rough. They'd have to sign $17M worth of free agents before the deadline.
