interesting that Walter Clayton Jr and Cedric Coward were among the last wave of green room invites. They were two of my favorite prospects in this draft. Not to read in too much into the green room invites, but being in that last wave means there’s a real chance both those guys are still on the board in the 20s. They’re two of the best shooters in the draft. they’re older prospects that can play in the backcourt and play right away. Stone supposedly has a good relationship with Sean Marks and Brooklyn has 5 picks in the 1st round. Just saying.
What’s the point . We already have issues getting can and Reed minutes and we want add to that frustration. Focus on building the team to compete.
Cam shows a bunch of immaturity but his actual production isn't bad. he's right at .100 ws/48, and only 20. I'd love to see what he can do when he's not the best perimeter option on the floor (with Durant). Though I could be convinced if he landed us someone like CMB lol
I would include Cam in a trade for a proven bench guard at this point. He's too unreliable on a team that's going for it, got no minutes in the playoffs, and his body language suggests he's checked out from the team at this point. He needs to be on a bad team that can give him minutes and reps and not care if he jacks up a shot per minute played.
The second unit needs on-ball shot creation and off-ball cutting bc I am not convinced Reed can break the paint reliably but I do think he has vision on the first pass. Cam can give you both of those things but he needs to tighten up on D and learn to pass it out quickly when the paint collapses. And if he does improve there, we won’t be able to pay him in two years, like pretty much no way. so if you can get that skillset on a longer rookie deal in exchange for Cam, you take it. But that requires nailing a draft evaluation perfectly. Nique Clifford looks good to me but if you could project him infallibly in the role we need, he’s a top ten pick
Honestly only the organization knows how deep Cam’s issues are and the relative risk vs reward. If they traded him for a 2026 pick or a guy they really liked in this draft, I wouldn’t question it. I’d be disappointed because Cam is obviously so talented, but I would assume they determined he wasn’t gonna fit in and they didn’t want to tank his value further by riding the bench for his 3rd year. I suspect they are gonna give him until the trade deadline to show what he can do. But they have the real insight on Cam. Not @DaDakota
I wouldn't mind trading the worst of the two 2029 picks for one of Brooklyn's later picks this year - if the Rockets like a player they think they can develop. Brooklyn has 4 picks from 19-27. The Rockets have the two best out of Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix in 2029. Just keep the best. I think that would be decent value. The Rockets will be filling out the roster with Vet Minimums and Rookie Free Agents (2-4 slots depending on Fred's contract and keeping the other vets like Jock and Holiday). Might as well have a controllable rookie for 4 years on a decent salary. The expectations would be different for a late first round pick. Send him down to the Valley - no one will care - but in two years, he could be a rotation guy.
I think it is too early to trade Cam. Give him real minutes at the start of next year and then move off him at the trade deadline if he still doesn't fit the system. I would still try to get a Vet shooting guard - I just don't know if a decent one will fit the Rockets budget after they resign Fred.
hey and if it’s an older prospect who is more nba ready and happens to play guard, we only have 3 guards on the roster (assuming we pick up Holiday’s option) so there might even be a path to some playing time if they are good.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all if the FO swaps Cam for a mid to late first this year to reset the contract clock and grab a guy who can be a long term high value role player. While also acquiring a veteran guard for that 8th/9th man role separately, probably as a FA. IMO Cam doesn’t want to be a role player. It’s hard to succeed with a guy who isn’t bought into his role. And I find it hard to believe a “title contender” goes into the season with two totally unproven 20 year olds as the primary perimeter options off the bench. If Reed is going to be one of those options, the second has to be someone with experience you trust to get the job done.
Cam has all the potential but he has no chance to shine in houston at least this year. He will get more frustrated will demand out. We need a more established player who has a chance to break into the rotation. Thats why an older guy to draft like Nique makes sense. If we can swap Cam with someone who can defend, has size for the position, can shoot better than average and is not turnover prone, i would get him regardless of the potential.
This is exactly the type of guy Stone needs to add. If he falls out of the lotto then trading Cam and a future 1st for him is what I would do. Shooters are needed. Kasparas was misused as a PG last year IMHO.
If CMB gets to #12 watch for a Bulls-Rockets trade that includes Cam. Bulls really like him and have engaged the rockets on him, and the rockets really like CMB. Just saying. Apparently the Bulls really like CMB too though.
I like CMB but before the Durant trade, I kind of questioned the fit because we don’t really have a lot of proven shooting and how he fits alongside Alpi and even Amen. Now with Durant on board you have to think it is likely that we use the MLE to acquire a shooter, Gary Trent being my favorite option. CMB we’re just give us an interesting element despite my spacing concerns. I would trade with more for him that number 12 if that was viable.
