I don’t think he wants to trade future picks. I think he is aware that the Rockets lack top end talent and the ideal place to get that talent is the lottery. The problem is that Stone may get pressure from ownership to win big right away, and Udoka wants to win now too… so if his job is at risk, he may move assets (including picks) to win now. Personally if I were the GM, I would dangle Sengun and see if I can get a top 5-7 pick in this draft for him. That would give me another crack at a franchise player, give me more long term cap space and let the players like Sheppard play and improve. I would offer Amen a similar deal to Sengun and if he doesn’t want it - I would move him for multiple picks. Durant can be moved for future picks and FVV can go at the deadline if I could convince him to agree. I would sign someone like Ayo or Grimes, who play hard - are relatively young and still improving. Both are strong workers too.
I wish, we are back from 'Phase 3' to 'The future is bright' ..........got to have the young ones develop again.
Id have to say the future is bleak. Not one of the young guys is an Alpha. It's just a fact. When you have a #3, #3, #4 (1st Team Defense), #16 (2 time All-Star), #17 pick unable to defeat a hobbled Lakers team in the playoffs, who were by far, the weakest opponent we could have faced, the future is bleak.
I would like it if we could take a step back by trading KD and also sending out either Alpi or Amen for picks (maybe in this year's draft). This would help us become a lottery team next year, and with the PHX pick and BKN swap we would have decent odds in next year's draft.
I hear you, the lack of real competitiveness is damning. I think they view it from the new Lottery rules that would allow the 15th pick theoretically jump into the Top 4...... Whatever Silver and his minions are cooking up.
Do you even know the odds next year? I don't......I think they might come up with a whole new Lottery. Someone like Presti might be in again to help structure it, and then help the Thunder that way.