Someone mentioned it in another thread, but I thought it may be worth a separate thread -- suddenly, we may have the two most valuable draft assets on the market since we own the Suns AND Mavs' 2029 FRPs.
27 pick - PHO and better of BKN/HOU 28 pick - HOU 29 pick - best 2 out of HOU/PHO/DAL Obviously some luck, and I still think he should have gotten more from Brooklyn. But regardless of what caveats you want to put in Stone has compiled some picks that look extremely promising. Still a lot of time and things can change though.
Need clarity here. We will not own Mavs or Suns 2029 first round pick. We will own Mavs AND Suns 2029 first round picks. BOTH.
We're going to have to shave the core next summer (the summer after this coming one) because ultimately you'll want to use at least one of those picks when someone special could be available. Crazy to think we could still add multiple special draft talents to the team. Like if we just keep drafting our picks and proportionately cutting our worst player from this point, we could add like 2 special draft talents to the cream of this incredible roster. Like you could add a Jalen Suggs out of nowhere. A young JJJ would be the dream scenario. That's why the team is hesitant to trade. Because why? That looks like a dynasty incoming if we just make safe moves, no long term commitments to small question marks.
Unless the 25 Suns pick ends up really good, I expect it will be traded for a future FRP or 2. Entering the 27 offseason if this happens and Rockets don't trade a FRP, the Rockets will have 10 FRPs with 4 of them likely premium picks.
I think that's the likeliest of outcomes. If Phoenix is in the lottery, do you trade the pick before the lottery happens or after? If you trade it before you probably get a better return. If the lottery ended up in the top 4 then your gamble didn't pay off.
Houston will receive the two most favorable of its 2029 1st round pick, Dallas' 2029 1st round pick and Phoenix's 2029 1st round pick and Brooklyn will receive the least favorable of the three. Those picks looking better than ever. Still own the 2027 Brooklyn swap rights too. The Rockets don't have the volume of picks like Utah & OKC but they have arguably the most valuable picks.
After. Basically if you can get Cooper, Harper, Edgecombe, or other Top 4 pick, you keep it. If not, trade it for probably a couple of Top 8 or so protected future picks.
