We would only want Kuzma because he doesn’t help us win, and in that case, we don’t give up picks for any reason. Doesn’t really matter what they want.
Agree, Rockets need young talented and complementary players to build around Wood (and Porter and/or Tate). But not necessarily draft picks. Draft picks are an ill fit if rebuilding around Wood. The timeline is all wrong, especially any draft picks after 2022. And dumping every vet is nonsense strategy because as you point out, vets are important teachers or culture and system. Guys like EGo and Tucker might be traded but until then they provide much more than just their production on court.
Yes our options are very limited. Team full of rookies with little to no vet player guidance is not good Team full of older vets is good for one final try as the window closes. Our shot last season as the Harden-Westbrook now Wall contract ballooned up. Leaving lesser quality help assisting the two max contracts. So cashing in on all of these expiring contracts this year probably brings a bunch of 2nd rounders. I know we differ on this, I don’t believe any contender gives us 1st round picks. Bunch of 2nd round picks has its limits. We need a place or roster spots to put them and they take longer to develop on the average. _______________________ Option 1) stay the course...but w/all these expiring contracts, may leave us high & dry; we have to rebuild anyway. Option 2) Rebuild by way of free agency.....[No Good........too expensive]. SF’s alone run $15M to $20M for so-so quality. Option 3) Build thru the draft....[No Good.........too raw]. Rookies take about 3 years to develop & start to get it. Option 4) Mix it Up.....since I don’t think Wall and Eric Gordon will be moved (EG getting about $1M per point averaged per game. Bringing in another shooting guard thru free agency may cost more money and possibly less points averaged. Might as well use Wall and EG to help younger players transition to the NBA.... at least for one season. _________________________ So I have the Rockets picking Option 4) (21/22) roster being: PG) Wall.........................K Porter / Mason Jones SG) Eric Gordon............Moses Moody / (D Alston) SF) Tate.........................House / Derrick Alston PF) Wood.......................Frank Kaminsky C) Gorgui Dieng.............Bassey / (Wood/Kaminsky) After 21/22 season I would expect our starting roster to be: 22/23 Rocket roster: PG) Kevin Porter (6’4”) SG) Moses Moody (6’6”) SF) Derrick Alston (6’9”) PF) Wood (6’10”).....Extension @ End of Season (Wood window w/teammates still on rook pay starts) C) Bassey (6’11”) Good size and height through and through.......Wood being small ball center in playoffs. .....of course Wall, EG will still be mentoring (probably as backups though). That’s our safety net. ____________________________ Now if the Rockets can net an up and coming player like Precious, then great. I feel we might get an Kz Okpala or Zeke Nnaji though.......but it may help as well. My blue print anyway. Take care.
I understand your thoughts but Wall is not going to let Wood be the franchise. We all saw this before the injury. Harden with Wood vs Wall with Wood. Even Gordon with Wood was better. Wall is not our answer as the teacher/veteran. Wall is likes to be the hero of a below average team. The Wizards had his fingers prints all over them for years, Dysfunctional.