Rockets acquire Suns picks, return Nets picks to Brooklyn

same. Feel like he gives so much to get nothing in return. Maybe it’s a rockets thing man, feel like we get used on phone calls and another team makes a bogus offer another day, you’re like a what did we give?

 

Yeah Stone shouldn't be questioned after rebuilding in 3 years post Harden. OKC didn't even have this quick a turn around

 

This year's Suns team has serious potential to implode. It is not just KD, Beal also has the same injury currently as KD and has been missing time the past year as well, and if you watch the games you will see Booker has no desire to even try to step up, he scored 12 points the other night w KD and Beal out. If you look at their wins when they were at full strength, they are not that impressive. They have beaten 2 playoff teams, and that includes a Heat team w a below .500 record, KD was pretty much carrying the team until his injury. If KD returns and remains healthy they can maybe still be a top 4-5 team in the West, but this is a gamble I think you take. The only .500+ playoff team they have beaten is the Lakers 1 of 2 times. The amount of injuries this team has had to start the season seems predictable at this point.

Nurkic seems to have fallen off completely as well, this guys getting paid $18M+ a year to score 8ppg as a starter. Hes having the worst season of his entire career, not sure what is going on there, but he has shot 50%+ for nearly 9 straight years, and now is shooting 38%.

 

Durant and Beal already missing games...

Again, these guys don't play well together.

Just a matter of time...

Stone has us perfectly positioned to land Booker.

 

Keeping Durant with Booker gives them a punchers chance something really weird happens. Considering Phoenix doesn't control their picks, they either need to try to win or deal for picks. If Phoenix tries to keep Durant, I don't think another team is close to what Phoenix would offer considering Durant doesn't affect salary cap for them.

I'm not sure they would bring Durant back. I just am not sure they won't try.

 

Booker makes too much money for a fringe Top 20 player in the league. Would rather find another Booker than trade for him. Would rather Tyler Herro who makes half as much money on similar production. Could be had for much cheaper as well.

 

Nurkic would be a very good backup C for the Rockets. Kind of what we thought we were getting with Adams. So when we do make the move for Booker have them throw in Nurkic as well.

 

I dunno we were perfectly positioned to acquire Bridges from BKN but because it was so on the nose I think Marks dealt him elsewhere just to spite Stone. Phx obviously knows we got those picks with the bet that the Suns would implode, and we'd hold their future in our hands. So there's a human element to this that could play a role in the event that Booker does shake loose.

 

I like the Herro idea if he is cheap enough in trade. All this is moot, if Jalen performs. Booker would be Jalen’s replacement. If magically we could land Booker right now by giving up non-core assets and draft picks we would be instant contenders to come out of the West. Of course, it is highly unlikely we can land Booker this year, especially with the Jalen extension. If we want Booker in the off-season, we better hope the Suns are still decent by the deadline, so another team doesn’t step in for him.

 

I still love the idea of Booker and would trade a lot for him.

But…I’m also good not doing much of anything. In 2027, we’ll have our own pick, swap rights with Brooklyn, and the Suns’ pick. In 2029, we’ll have our pick and the best of Dallas and the Suns. I’d bet at least one of those will hit. For reference, Sengun will likely opt-out and sign an extension in the 2028 offseason. This trade put us in fantastic shape going forward if we don’t make a major trade.

 

How do the numbers work though he's set to make 61 million in a few years. Jabari is probably going to make 30. Tari around 20-25. Then Amen and the Shepp. Also Dillon/FVV. Cap is around 154 next year, 170 after that at 187 after that.

Book: 51
Sengun: 34
Bari: 30
Dillon: 21
Tari: 25
Amen: 9
Shepp: 10

Not counting FVV that's already 180. We could trade Dillon to free up money to pay Amen and renegotiate Book when Reed comes up. I'm not a salary cap guru, I know there's other machinations but Book makes too much money.

 

The Rockets have Phoenix's 2025 pick. If Phoenix is bad and they want to trade Booker at the deadline, there is only one team that can aid their tanking. While other teams could outbid the Rockets for Giannis, Phoenix being able to control their picks gives the Rockets the edge in any trades for Booker at the deadline or in the offseason.

 

Rockets would have to make decisions in 2 years. Book, FVV, Sengun, Tari, Amen, and Brooks would make a great Top 6 players and be below the 2nd apron.

 

Booker would put us over the top if he is a straight replacement for Jalen. The core would then be Booker, Amen, Sengun, Tari, and Jabari. I’m sure there are ways to manage the cap. The second apron is going to make it difficult for virtually everyone. Dillon should have been traded in the off-season, and shouldn’t be starting even with the current team (i expect that to change by mid-season). I am content to roll with this team until the off-season and beyond if Jalen pans out, just don’t think he will.

 

It's weird to me that there are people here questioning Stone's ability to trade when A.) It was the Harden trade that first set us up for a successful rebuild. B.) He absolutely robbed Sam Presti of Alperen Sengun. There should be charges pressed. C.) He got a first round pick for Christian friggin' Wood who couldn't even average 7 points a game last season.

In year 5, we are currently 4th in the West after completely rebuilding and still have a combined 5 unprotected first round picks from the Nets and Suns left over from the trade that began the rebuild. That is nuts. I honestly can't even believe how good Stone has been. And I was not optimistic at all.

 

I agree completely. He also put forth his plan from day one after the Harden trade and has not faltered from it once. We are in great position and although we don’t have the amount of 1st round picks OKC has amassed, the quality of the picks we do have (mostly unprotected) are better than what OKC have. We are going to be contenders for a decade, if we don’t get impatient and blow it up for a semi-superstar. We just need a high performing SG or combo guard to take the next step be it Jalen, Booker, or Amen it doesn’t matter. If any trade requires us to give up more than one of our core (with Amen untouchable) then the answer should be no. There is no one outside of Jokic that would be worth it. For Booker only Jalen or FVV plus draft picks should be offered.

 

I doubt Tari agent would let him accept lesser money than Jabari. But who know what leverage he has

 

A Booker package would be Green, Brooks, and picks. Maybe Cam as well.

Adding a top SG to the current core would elevate this team to a contender.

FVV
Booker
Amen
Bari
Sengun

Tari, Reed, Landale off the bench. I’d like to add a veteran wing in the offseason. Levert, THJ, Josh Richardson, etc.

 

Pretty sure if the Rockets trade for Booker, Brooks would be of no use to the Suns such that the Rockets would keep him. As Brooks is a free agent when Amen's next contract kicks in, there is no reason to trade him from a financial sense if Green is in the deal.

 

I think you need Brooks to make the money work, but maybe I’m wrong with the Green extension and you could add in some guys like Tate or Jeff Green.