I believe most players who have a can’t/won’t play defense reputation just haven’t been coached properly or don’t have a team philosophy that demands it. There are certain players that can get steals or blocks no matter who their teammates or coaches are. Others need to have good coaching and a scheme that helps elevate them. As long as someone is open to coaching, I think they can (for the most part) be a decent defender under Ime.
Yup. I also think there's a blackhole effect where good defenders on teams that don't care about defense don't really get to show they're good. A guy like Cam Johnson under Udoka I think can be a passable defender. He's making 43% on 7.6 3PA that's excellent. Very safe with the ball. I wonder if we can get a FRP from Lakers, Miami, Philly or Phoenix for Dillon Brooks. Trade that pick and expiring contracts for someone like Johnson. I think our defense can afford to give some minutes to barely passable defenders, we are seriously desperate for shooting and the accompanying spacing can have exponential benefits for us. As long as we remain a top 3 defense (better than most NBA champions), we can shift our focus on improving the offense.
[according to Bleacher report] ''Goal: Hold or star chase Name(s) to watch: Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, Jae'Sean Tate The Rockets have jumped from awful to just missing the play-in tournament last year and are now the second-best team in the West. The growth of Tari Eason and Amen Thompson as defensive role players supporting the offense of Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet has been impressive to watch. Still, the franchise had positioned itself with young players, draft picks and movable contracts to make a credible offer on the next star player who demands a trade. But with the recent success, should Houston break up its chemistry if Giannis Antetekounmpo becomes available? Probably so, but it would be costly. Note: Sheppard is solely on the watch list if the Rockets decide to chase a star.''
I would love one or two of Bruce Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant or Robert Williams. Happy to use combinations of Adams, Londale, Cam and one future first rounder.
Just wait. At some point, someone will want out and we’ll be in great position to go for whoever it is.
unless we are getting book luka tatum just use our assets to help another team out of the luxury tax or save tax dollars while picking up more future draft picks or get rid of jalen for something of value jock, tate, holiday for mitchell, mcbride, etc or possibly jalen, jock, tate, holiday for ayton, banton, walker give ime a chance to rehab ayton and turn him into a great defender. ayton has the chops for it. and he's got the ability to be a great perimeter shooter. blazers going nowhere. give them the chance to let jalen run the controls and see what they can do with him. i'd do that deal sans any picks unless they were in our favor. ayton one year left. contract still moveable. pels may really want ayton too but they don't want to move picks for him and they don't have any upside youngsters they would move for him either. ingram is expiring. they would have to include a pick to portland to get ayton. but if we get ayton now we could get in a big 3-way deal involving ingram and ayton next summer. i don't think portland can get a better draft pick or prospect than jalen for ayton.
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -1.5 ppg, -1.1 rpg, and +5.2 apg. Incoming Players Brandon Ingram 27 year old, 6-8, 190 lb SF from Duke 23.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.3 apg in 33.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Dejounte Murray 28 year old, 6-4, 180 lb SG from Washington 13.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.0 apg in 31.8 minutes in 2024-2025 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl 24 year old, 6-8, 240 lb PF from Villanova 7.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.2 apg in 20.5 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Dillon Brooks 28 year old, 6-6, 225 lb F from Oregon 12.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg in 30.7 minutes in 2024-2025 Steven Adams 31 year old, 6-11, 265 lb C from Pittsburgh 2.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 apg in 11.3 minutes in 2024-2025 Jalen Green 22 year old, 6-4, 186 lb SG from NBA G League Ignite 19.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.7 apg in 32.4 minutes in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's 3.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg in 11.1 minutes in 2024-2025 Jae'sean Tate 29 year old, 6-4, 230 lb F from Ohio State 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.4 apg in 4.5 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 5.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.5 apg in 9.9 minutes in 2024-2025
So, I haven't been a huge fan of trades this year, mainly because I don't think we're lacking on the fringes. We're not 1 shooter or role player away. But, the longer this team sits near the top of the standings it makes me wonder if getting a Jalen upgrade could help this team be a 2nd or 3rd rd playoff team. The problem is you want a player that: Is still young Won't destroy the team defense Can be a primary scorer Can be at least a secondary playmaker Fits in with the rest of the team (will basically take Jalen’s spot but not take minutes away from the other young players) I think Brandon Ingram could work. FVV Amen Ingram Brooks Sengun Ingram could defend whoever is the weakest wing/forward on defense and would seamlessly fit where Jalen was in our offense (except better). And, Ingram is fairly young, less than a year older than Tatum at 27, just entering his prime. A trade would be complex with Jalen’s poison pill but it mighy work if you can bring in a team with cap space. Most other big name players either wouldn't mesh well with our team and maximize the remaining talent or aren't really that young.
With news (shocker!) that Tate is available in a trade... I'd send Tate + SRP to Detroit for Paul Reed Reed shoots 3's, blocks shots, gets steals, and has a crazy good defensive rating - despite the Pistons being mid. Could be a valuable addition to the front court and allows a more fast-paced second unit. Amen / Holiday - Jalen / Cam - Tari - Bari - Reed / Landale Half-court lineup: FVV / Holiday - R33d - Dillon - Uncle Jeff - Sengun
We should aim to win 1-2 playoff series this year. It will do much for us un the future. I actually want to keep Jalen but I get the desire for an immediate upgrade. Fox or Ingram(much cheaper(
Johnson is really very much a power forward at this point in his career. He's a guy you'd bring in to play Jabari's role moreso than Dillon's. I also don't think Johnson can play next to Dillon, both of them have the same weaknesses (shotblocking, rebounding, lateral agility). The only scenario where I can see Johnson making sense is if both Dillon and Jabari go out in another trade. Johnson fits well next to Amen or Tari since they can cover his aforementioned weaknesses. And, actually, that could make sense. Imagine a scenario where we're acquiring a Tyrese Maxey or a De'Aaron Fox type of guy--build the trade around Dillon and Jabari (to shore up those teams' defensive identities and match salaries). Then you've created a 60 minute hole in the rotation at the 3/4 spots, which Tari & Amen can cover somewhat by increasing their minutes, but not 100%. Add in Cam Johnson and now maybe you've got something cooking. Edit: So something along these lines: Backcourt: FVV/Maxey with Jalen going down to 20ish mpg as the backup Forwards: Amen/Johnson with Tari backing up both positions Center: Alpi/Jock Just food for thought.
3-pointers are not all there is to basketball. That may be hard to believe due to how the NBA game has evolved and what some call the Steph Curry affect…but if we get Fox it would be for much more than shooting 3’s. The guy can do so much more on the basketball court. He can affect the game in many other ways so just looking at his 3pt stats is shortsighted. Also, getting him would not be the only move we make. We would still need to go out and get shooters which we should do no matter who we possibly trade for because we need multiple guys than can do that.
