What would get you most excited about this offseason?

If Ime isn't fired, there's no reason for excitement or optimism no matter what else happens.

 

What would make me most excited is finding a way to get into the high lotto in this draft. Consolidating our young talent in service of taking a swing on a franchise player is the right move for the long term success of this team.

2nd to that we need to overhaul our player development system. We need to invest in and build the best player development system in the league. This is the true power behind okc and SA, not that they are just lucky in the draft. Building good player development will pay dividends for many yrs. This probably necessitates a new coach and coaching staff

Lastly, and probably imperative to make the first two happen….we need to overhaul the front office and hire a new GM. People have short memories. They don’t remember how bad it got during Stone’s first 3 yrs. It wasn’t just tanking or poor judgement in building around bad character plsyers like KPJ. It was that our young guys weren’t developing well and bad culture. It’s why Ime has so much power over player personnel in the first place. It’s why we have Fred instead of Harden. A lot of the 2025 offseason decisions were basically Ime’s. KD, DFS, doubling down on wings instead of guard depth, all Ime. When your GM is subjugated in the power dynamic because of his previous failings things are not going to work. We can’t have Ime playing GM, and Stone doesn’t have the clout. We need a fresh start.

 

Kd will never agree to come off the bench. Pure fantasy.

 

I don’t think there is a generational guy in this draft. I wanted to trade all our good picks to Phili for Edgecombe last year, but I don’t think the guys in this draft are good enough. Sengun and 1 pick might be worth it for a top 3 pick, but I don’t think that gets it done. If we are trading Sengun then I would like to have already good young player(s) and future picks that we can consolidate when a young star or generational guy does show up in the draft. Okongwu, NAW and a couple of future picks might be plausible.

 

Agreed.

 

I’m channeling a potential @Medicine N Music thread when I say: Darius Acuff Jr. will save us. Let’s do what it takes to get him!

 

If the Astros, Texans and Longhorns were all fun to watch.

I'm 0-1 so far.

 

I think that we are going to run it back but try to get a younger stretch 5 and another bench shooter.... I see Tate gone, I see Holiday gone, I think Clint could be a salary dump (attaching a 2nd round pick).... I don't think DFS will be gone... his value is so bad even though he is on a functionally expiring contract... other thoughts in no particular order...

• Given the new tanking rules I would not want us to trade the Brooklyn, Phoenix or Dallas picks, but I wouldn't mind trading our own picks.
• I am not attached to any of our players (but love most of them while they are Rockets)... I would trade KD in a second if it is equal/better/younger talent and would throw in one or two of our own first round picks to get a player... We need a scorer, but don't need KD's old ass on defense or his Iso heave/turnover heavy offense. It's like when the Bad Boy pistons dumped Adrian Dantley for Mark Agguire.... that kind of trade. KD for MPJ or some trade like that...
• I would trade Sengun for the right package... Need to get a rim protecting/stretch 5... The list of those is short. Sengun for Clingan + Sharpe + assets (Would Portland do this trade?) is one example...
• I would trade Jabari if we were able to get a clear upgrade... this would probably take a first round pick or two... We would want someone who could create their own shot and create for others and shoot the 3 and play defense... once again a short list... no older folks... so no Kawhi or Jimmie Buckets... Murphy with NOP is an option. Who knows who else fits this bucket...
• I would trade Reed Sheppard and 1 or 2 picks for a prime PG - trading Reed's future for reality today... Once again, the list is short. Prime age... those guys don't live on trees... we are budget consious as well... I would run with Reed the next two years and then decide when he becomes more expensive... I can't think of a guy that we would trade Reed for in isolation... it would have to be Reed+Someone for all NBA guy... I don't know who fits this bucket... DeAaron Fox, Ant, Maxey, Reeves? Those are the types of players that would be someone to package Reed+someone for this offseason...otherwise we wait.
• Tari... I think his situation will be more of a fall out of other changes... I think he is unlikely to end up signing for more that $2-3 million above MLE in restricted free agency... His value is situational to the Rockets... Jabari or Amen gone... Tari is more valuable to Rockets...
• Amen... only for a real superstar on the Rockets timeline... Ant, Maxey, Tatum, SGA... you get my drift... we may have to throw in matching salaries + a pick... No old dudes... which is anyone over 30 on October 1st.

 

Here is the rub… my belief is Stone has the ROLE of GM but Patrick is the true puppeteer. He pulls ALL the strings. Stone always seems powerless and doesn’t ever make quick decisions. It’s because he is not the true GM, Patrick is. Stone true role is to keep the media and public opinion’s off of Patrick. Stone is not going anywhere.

 

Probably true. I just think Amen and Jabari are the future at forward and don't want KD hampering their development.

 

I would like to see an OC/strategy coach hired, and whatever moves it takes to get our defense to #1.

 

Trading KD would be downright idiotic at this point unless he himself demanded a trade.

Get a point guard/shooter for bench. Upgrade capela/DFS/Holiday. Pay Amen. Let Eason go. Fire GM if he wont do those things. Id really want Ime to go if he refuses to bring in offensive help on the coaching staff.

 

I already said it months ago, you don't have to fire the GM, just give him a normal desk job without any major executive functions.....

 

Not much getting me excited .... The idea of running it back makes me sick.

Adams probably isn't ready to go at the start of the season.

FVV a year older after a major injury - Do you really expect him to be the same player he was before the injury? I don't.

Another year of KD playing 36 minutes a night (FVV too).

Sengun starting possessions from outside the 3 point line? And not giving a sh it on defense ....

DFS sucking?

Reed getting blown by?

At least KD won't be playing point guard again - until FVV suffers the inevitable injury.

No first round draft pick?

Ime still here.

What's to be excited about?

 

There is nothing this team can do to excite me that does not involve getting rid of Durant by any means necessary. He's the root cause of all of our chemistry problems. I don't care how efficient you are if you've ripped the heart out of our squad. This isn't the same team of dogs we had last season. I blame the presence of Durant and the lack of Dillon's presence.

 

Trade KD and fire Ime.

 

The Rockets will likely win more games next season. Young guys likely have a much better year than this year. Rockets will be up 2 FRPs in future draft capital after next season. Rockets will be in a pretty good position after next season.

If the sole goal is a championship next season, it will be a crappy season. I'm not too interested in this coming offseason, but next trade deadline should be more interesting even if the Rockets stand pat. I'm expecting some major change by the start of the 2027-2028 season.

 

unfortunately him and stone are coming back so I am already down on next season