If Pistons lose series, they could be desperate for another scorer. What would it take to give up Durant to Detroit?
It would be fairly easy. They have 2 expirings contracts and the 21st pick. Hopefully we can do better than #21, so I don’t think the Rockets would bite.
Stewart, LeVert, and Robinson I guess? It wouldn't be the most exciting trade but I guess it would improve the shooting we're getting from our roleplayers as well as our depth, at the cost of course of losing KD's gravity and contested shotmaking abilities. Detroit would lose a lot of their depth. I think they are a non-taxpayer team though so I guess they have access to the full MLE, which maybe helps them make a deal from their depth like that? If they had control over a first round pick that I thought Stone would actually do something decent with maybe I would be more interested. Stone has gotten us absolutely nothing in the 20s range so far.
This. I think he's a good negotiator, but he and Ime haven't shown an ability to identify and develop talent so far. I'd rather have them run it back and lose their jobs if we don't meet expectations.
The Rockets have 5 of the Top 60 or so young players. The problem is that Amen and Sengun were in the Top 10 or so in 24-25, but Sengun dropped off a lot this past season. JSJ and Reed are probably in the 30-40 range, with Tari likely in the 50-60 range. Overall, the Rockets have a lot of successes. The problem is the NBA is a star league.
That's a pretty good point I suppose. I've been banging the drum that we need to do a soft reset. But I don't really want Stone running the show for that anymore. So if he's not getting fired, which it so far looks like he isn't this offseason, that may be the shortest path to getting out of the woods and maybe/possibly getting better leadership. (Not that I think Tilman and Patrick are likely to find us a great GM either, but we can at least hope they get lucky, I guess.)
there’s something to this. I’m positive if they run it back they will have injuries with the old guys and the young guys will be further exposed as not that good. The upside is that it would catalyze changes, but the downside is it would harm the future of this team. And I say that as someone who doesn’t want Stone making anymore decisions abiut this roster or making any more draft picks. I already think the bloom is off the rose as far as our young prospects’ value. Sengun’s value declined this season. Despite the leap from Reed, I think his value actually took a hit because he got exposed so badly with his poor handles, poor defense, and inconsistent shooting. There were a lot of folks that thought Amen would take more of a leap. I still think he played well this season give his role, but the expectations were much higher. If Reed and Sengun continue to get exposed next season their value is going into the tank. We can’t lose value on these prospects; that woukd really hurt the team. So I guess I’m saying, we are really in a tough spot because we can’t count on player development to keep value high. And we can’t count on the current regime to make the right decisions.
I can see a trade of this magnitude Chicago - Sengun Houston - Giddey, Jalen Smith and a #1 Chicago has two #1s, #4 and #15. Houston may want #4 but may have to settle for #15. This gets Houston a PG for the future on a good contract to pair with Amen and another PF in Jalen Smith, just in case Tari signs elsewhere. The #15 pick can be used to get a young center.
Sengun had his struggles, but I think that a lot of teams will look at it through the prism of him having to adapt to KD and the fact that his contract is amazing.
I don’t think Chicago would value Sengun that much over Giddey, but I’d definitely run it by them. Stone is not brave enough for a move like that and Giddey is not an Ime type player.
Claxton and #6 for Sengun. I know for a fact the org had interest in Claxton a couple yrs ago. Fits more of what Ime wants at the center position.
I think Ime would be amenable to trading Sengun and Reed. Lot of folks will hate this one. Sengun, Reed, DFS for Sabonis, Monk, #7 2026, 2028 SAC frp unprotected. Sabonis and Monk expire in 27, so become trade bait or just let them play it out. Monk is an upgrade to DFS as a backup guard, but we has one more year on his contract. Sabonis is a stiff, but at least can hit 3 pointers. #7 pick is the key, and the 2028 is probably a lottery pick as well. #7 gets you one of the pg’s everybody craves or maybe you could flip it with a 27 pick or two frp’s, to hop up to 3 and nab Boozer or Peterson.
I put thought into what it would take to get a top pick in this draft. Nobody wants our fraud players over the hope of this draft.
How bad does Memphis want to dump Ja? Sengun, Reed, 27 nets pick for Morant, Edey, #3. KD for a middle pick and filler, maybe GSW and no. 11 or the Bucks for #10, Portis, Kuzma. Amen, Morant, Jabari, Boozer, Edey. Bench of FVV, #10 pick (guard), Portis, Kuzma, Adams. Morant expires in 27.