Caruso averaged 5 PPG last year. I didn’t endure an entire season of down-by-20-drink only to see our “reward” get traded away for a guy that turns 30 in a couple weeks. I know Caruso is a good defender and would fit, but I’d rather play the wait-and-see game with Jalen. Especially if Chicago is playing games with their asking price. My ambitions for our mid-season tweaks are a lot higher than improving Holiday’s minutes. Yours should be too.
With the reports that New Orleans has serious interest in Mikal Bridges, their roster + salary situation, and how their team has looked this year, here's a trade that I could see being considered. I like it for all involved: NOP receives Mikal Bridges BKN receives Jalen Green Dyson Daniels Nets 2024 FRP unprotected Nets 2025 Top 1 protected HOU receives Trey Murphy III Larry Nance Jr Sixers 2027 FRP top 8 protected New Orleans completes a necessary consolidation trade to get their ideal two way 3rd/4th option on a cost controlled contract, while retaining their stockpile of draft picks for another move down the line, and giving them enough space under the first apron to extend Brandon Ingram. Trey Murphy hasn't been a big part of their success so far this year, and Hawkins' emergence + Herb Jones bargain extension makes New Orleans keeping Murphy long-term less likely. Brooklyn gets their picks back to rebuild the next two years, and they get two real young prospects who could use a change of scenery in Jalen and Dyson. This is close to the 4-5 FRP's in value that have been discussed for Bridges. Houston turns Jalen Green and 2 BKN picks into a pure shooting SG with size in Trey Murphy who better fits around the rest of their core and IMO still has offensive star upside in a situation where he can get more offensive opportunities. They also get back Larry Nance who can give them rotation 4/5 minutes over the next 1.5 seasons, is an Ime style player, and is a right sized expiring contract next season. The protected future Philly pick from Brooklyn gives Houston another asset to use in future trades.
I like it but see little point for Brooklyn. Granted, it's their own picks, but if they can get 4 picks from somewhere else without having to take Jalen, I see that as the better deal.
I would add Sengun and 3 more 1st round picks in exchange for Boban’s uncle and Motiejunas. Just to make it even funnier
To Rockets: Trey Murphy Royce O'Neal Last Suns pick the Nets have To Nets: Brandon Ingram 2024 Nets #1 To Pelicans: Jalen Green Mikal Bridges Dariq Whitehead Nets take a pick swap and Ingram for Bridges. Pelicans retool from a place that looks like is going nowhere while not giving up draft assets. Rockets push draft capital into future when there's greater need for young players. Murphy plays right away as upgrade ocer Green. I think only works if Pelicans feel they need to change things up.
Value-wise I think this is ok, although Ingram IMO is a significantly better player and more valuable than Bridges. I’d do it as Houston. Don’t think it aligns with the other team’s strategies though — particularly New Orleans. This is the best Pelicans team they’ve ever had basically. If they trade for Bridges it’s to make a deep playoff run. They’re keeping Ingram / Zion / Mccollum / Jones.
To Wizards- Tate+2 future 2nds To Rockets- Tyus Jones To Pacers- Landale+Brooks+Jalen Green+2027 Rockets FRP To Rockets- Jalen Smith, Ben Mathurin, Jarace Walker
An easier trade suggestion for Houston. Tate for Seth Curry. We get a shooter on an expiring contract. Dallas gets a defender on an expiring contract ( team option).
Londale for PJ Tucker. Tucker comes here and hosts a 3 day seminar about playing with heart and defense then we buy him out for the full value of his contract as thank you for his years of service. Doesn't do much but at least Jock is off the books.
To Blazers: Reggie Bullock #2 pick from Rockets To Knicks: Jalen Green To Rockets: Quinten Grimes Matisse Thybulle Precious Achiuwa Malachi Flynn #1 pick from Knicks (top 5 protected) Knicks take a flier on Jalen for Grimes, salary filler, and protected pick. Blazers free up salary and get a pick. Rockets get a potential long term answer at the wing and add another elite wing defender. They also add draft capital for the future.
Zach LaVine is what I’m afraid Green will end up being. Tantalizing, but ultimately empty calories. He has a $40m/yr salary that has crippled his team’s ability to improve while not providing enough to get them over the hump himself. And he has already started his slide before the age of 30.
To Brooklyn: 2024 Nets #1 Reggie Bullock Jesean Tate 2 #1 picks from Grizzlies To Grizzlies: Mikal Bridges To Rockets: Marcus Smart 2 #1 picks from Grizzlies (furthest out) Nets can tank this year and still have 2 more picks. Grizzlies get their guy for Smart and 4 picks. Rockets get depth at PG with FVV injury and turn 1 pick into 2.
I wouldn’t trade Jalen Green for Caruso because it is such a short term move. That said, the costs used to acquire Green should not affect his value to the Rockets.
If Green had a LaVine like career except without the injuries and was paid appropriately, would that be considered a good outcome for Green?
