He looks more like an NBA point guard than Thornton; I will give him that. However, I'm concerned about players coming in who can't shoot the 3. Jalen Green, Amen, and Segun are players who haven't improved their 3-point shooting, and I'd rather have prospects coming into the league who have a history of hitting 3-pointers. Thorton has gone over 40% the last two years and has a career 38% at Ohio State. Copeland had a good year, hitting 47%. In the other years, his 3-point shot was bad. Since he's a free agent, it's not a big deal if he doesn't develop. Copland Career college 3-Point Percentages: 2022–23 (Syracuse): 11.1% (1-of-9) ESPN 2023–24 (Syracuse): 25.0% (11-of-44) ESPN 2024–25 (McNeese State): 15.4% (4-of-26) ESPN 2025–26 (NC State): 47.6% (20-of-42) ESPN Career average: 28.5% (39-of-137) ESPN
I somehow thought he looks bit of early 2000's "Model My Game After T-MAC" form. When McGrady was everyone's "taller playmaker" inspo lol. Going for athleticism & style points His game tape looks NBA level. A tall JD Davison is playable depth. But it's maybe some suspect T-Squid Terrence Williams, Jeremy Lin type qualities about him, for why he went undrafted. (Any combo or all of "needs ball in hands, sauce over substance, turnover prone, not good off-ball" thing)
I watched an interview with a North Carolina State insider, and he said that shooting is his big weakness. He also said that last summer Copeland went to Arizona to work with NBA shooting coach Phil Beckner. I find it impressive that he spent his NIL money to improve with an NBA shooting coach and that it seemed to work. His 3-point shooting went up, and his FT went from 63% to 77%.
Copeland looks like SG to me. He had a few classic SL possessions where they rolled him the ball and said, “ok, you’re turn.” (AKA: the primary offense for the Rockets) given that scenario, Copeland had enough off the dribble to not look panicked. Better than Newton and even more size.
I think he only recently switched to being a PG with NC State. I read about how he was at odds with the old coaching staff about how he would be used or something. He moved on to NC State and eventually saw eye-to-eye with Will Wade. I'm not sure he's a full-time PG, but I like the fact he's a bigger guard that won't be easily bullied, can see over people, and can handle the ball. But like in almost every other situation : I don't trust summer league ball.
Unlike with Thornton I am a lot less hopeful about Qadir Copeland. He is a senior just like Thornton but he is a lot more sloppy and undeveloped. He has good passing skills but as a 3rd string role player he aint getting to handle the ball. His defense is worse than Thornton despite being taller and having longer arms. He will prob spend the entire year in GLeague.
Then why did Stone hire Bogi? I get it what the hell he’s a minimum player, but another old guy that can’t stay on the floor and add can’t play defense. There is no logic to what the FO is doing.
I'm no cap expert, so please feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong. Currently, the Rockets have over 198m in standard contracts between 13 players, broken down as follows: Six Guards (FVV, Sheppard, Smart, Bogdan, Davison, Thronton) Three forwards (Bari, Eason, Durant) Three Centers (Sengun, Adams, Capela) One combo guard/forward in Amen Given this, the Rockets have just over 2 million to fill out the roster. If they want to avoid the tax, that's one more vet minimum spot to hit the 14 roster minimum. So, does it make more sense to sign a vet minimum guy (maybe a forward/center combo guy), or just convert Copeland? I can be convinced either way.
