Do the Rockets have enough draft capital to make this happen? Would you be willing to trade that capital for this trade? Leaving out draft capital as people can put in whatever they think makes this deal work. For the most part, I see the team's motivation to be Miami wants someone that they spin in a deal for Giannis, the Rockets need a stretch 5 and an SF, and the Pelicans want to improve odds at 1st overall pick in 2027 over 30% (looks lean after Stokes). The Rockets would fit after this trade. Not sure I would want to part with the draft capital to make it work. Ware and Murphy are to me the two players that stand out as guys that would fit with the existing roster and have a few years to play with younger guys. Could still move Durant or keep him. Same for FVV, Adams, and DFS, but likely losing more pciks with moving these guys. This does not solve the lack of a star issue and would remove chances at Stokes.
I like the idea. I don't think it's impossible to win a title with a balanced, well-constructed team that doesn't have a top 5 player, I just think it's a difficult and narrow path. I do think we would need significant steps forward from multiple young players to even envision winning in that way, but it's not impossible. Depending on how much draft capital we give up, it also does not preclude the possibility of trading for a #1 option in the future. Does Pat Riley like Sengun and the idea of pairing him with Bam? Hard to say on that one.
We would need to send at least 3 frp’s to have a chance at this, but I’m in, especially if we could dump KD for expirings and get a pick back (maybe to the Bucks for expirings and the 26 frp). Amen, Reed, Murphy III, Jabari, Ware is a good start to a soft re-build. Hopefully, we could save the 27 nets pick by sending out the 27 Phx, 29 Phx and 29 Dallas pick. With the pick and decent bench guy we get back for Durant and the 27 Nets pick we could be back in contention fairly quickly.
I thought they were Giannis hunting. Sengun would be spun to the Bucks. They likely would not want to deal with Ware while getting Ginnis, but they have to give up something for Giannis. I think the Rockets are about as desperate as a team can be for Ware.
Yeah, it’s all speculation as to what Sengun and Ware are worth to both their teams and others. I think Adebayo and Sengun could offensively be a pretty good front court. Sengun is going to take his defensive liabilities with him wherever he goes.
I agree it won’t happen if OKC wins again. I’m hoping for an upset, even though they are still the favorites.
Had a crazy thought the other day. KD for Mobley and Merrill Then I saw Mobleys contract and was like, nope! I wonder if anyone would be interested in Mobley given that contract. Maybe send him to the Nets for a handful of 2nd rounders. Hardly feels worth it. The end to a pointless post.
If OKC loses to SA, I still don’t think they would panic and do a KD trade. I would love to see it though. Let KD disrupt their chemistry like he does every team.
it’s clear the efficiency is just not there with Suggs. Yes, he can defend but he can’t shoot and he’s not even 2:1 assist to TO. They’re gonna focus on developing Black. At 25, I don’t see a ton of growth coming. At $30 mil the next 3 seasons I think it’s a hard pass. But I’m sure Ime likes him
Sengun for Ajay & OKC 26 1st something like that.. too beat to do the math. Always thought Sengun & Chet would fit well Ajay is a future star imo Edit: or J Dub & OKC1st?
Yeah, you’re definitely right. I haven’t been paying close enough attention; Ajay def looks like a young, lead guard on a W team to me.
I don't think the Rockets will be on Giannis' list, and I don't think they could get him without trading for Amen, which I doubt they will do. That being the case, I think they'll swap Sengun and DFS for Kawhi: PG: VanVleet / Sheppard / Holiday SG: Thompson / Okogie SF: Leonard / Eason PF: Durant / Smith, Jr. C: Adams / Capela / 2nd round pick Maybe you let Tari walk and sign either Harrison Barnes, Andrew Wiggins, or Tobias Harris with your MLE. I don't like Kawhi, but if you can sync up his next deal and Fred's next deal with KD's extension, you can clear a massive amount of cap space 2 years from now while keeping all of your draft picks. If Fred, Kawhi, KD, and Steven Adams are all healthy, I think that team has a decent chance of beating the Spurs or the Thunder. What are the odds that they're all healthy when the playoffs come around? Not great, but better than your odds right now I think. Kawhi is the win now move that doesn't sacrifice the future.
This two timelines thing is fool's gold, just a waste of assets that could go toward long-term success. At least Kawhi fits better than Giannis, but he's been even less healthy. What are the odds that KD and Kawhi are both 100%, or even 85% come playoff time? Especially under Ime's coaching?
I was looking into it, and apparently the Clippers can actually create $70M in cap space by declining player options and renouncing cap holds and such. So, hold onto your butts: HOU in Darius Garland Myles Turner LAC's #5 draft pick LAC in Giannis Antetokounmpo Kevin Durant MIL in Alperen Sengun Reed Sheppard Fred VanVleet Clint Capela Other first round draft picks from both LAC and HOU (probably one FRP from each team?) I think this just barely works if the Clippers set the stage by opening up cap space, but I'm not totally sure. Somebody please slap me with the reality of the situation if I'm wrong. High price to pay for #5, but #5 in this draft class is going to cost a lot, and Garland and Turner, while overpaid, are good players. How big of a believer are you in the guys available at that draft slot? Or, do you attempt to trade up to get Washington's #1, at the cost of more future draft capital?
You have to add Leonard to the Rockets to make the money work. Not sure the clips would also include the number 5 at that point. Maybe we get the no 5 pick and send back our Phoenix picks in 27 and 29 to the clips and our 29 Dallas pick to the Bucks. The Clips have multiple 29 picks and could send one to the Bucks as well. I like the thought process, but better do it fast before the NBA takes away picks from the Clips for the Leonard shenanigans. Amen, Garland, Leonard, Jabari, Turner, Oh My!
Remember, the Clippers can create $70M in cap space, if what I read is correct. Means they can just eat salary if they do that, I think.
How do they create 70m in cap space and still fill out their roster? If that is the case, bam, pull the trigger.
