Reset the timeline around Amen, Reed and Bari

I don't mind any of that, TBH.

Although I think that some of the hope that it might work out with some pairs is gone for me, particularly with Ime.

I firmly believe that Ime doesn't have a clue how to build around players of different skillsets, and we are experiencing his lack of bball IQ.

I do hope we get some assistants, particularly ones we can design an offense around - and I am fine with not getting a 32 year old Giannis and seeing what else might break loose.

DD

 

Remind me again. Which phase of the rebuild are we supposed to be in?

 

I really think it's all not as complicated as some fans would like to think. Those fans are just too attached to an old model of the NBA, under old CBA's and old assumptions of how teams operate. A lot of that stuff isn't relevant anymore.

In the current NBA, you can essentially only win championships by drafting and developing a best player(s), or acquiring them in their early-to-mid twenties and developing them to that point.

Teams face practically zero regrettable player attrition today. Your best players have to become great while they are on your team. You're not gonna get them externally and win a title. You're just going to be adversely selected against while trying.

Practically all counter-examples were either a) under a previous CBA and wouldn't happen today, or b) happened because it was the LA Lakers.

So if your team doesn't have that player(s), you have to try and draft and develop them or acquire young players who could develop into that. Any other path is in pursuit of coach/gm job preservation, not winning championships.

 

Phase 2? (This vid was 2 years ago)

 

You don't think Herro would start?

I think he would help a lot with our offensive problems, but the biggest problem is that he's a poor defensive player, and playing him next to Reed pretty much at all sounds terrible. Also I wonder how well he would fit in the locker room given how much him and the young guys seem to hate each other.

Miami does seem like a good trade partner for getting rid of KD, though. It's a place he'd probably not object to playing in, and acquiring him fits their MO.

Could we maybe find a third team for Herro? Maybe to Detroit, for I don't know... Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert?

Alternatively, you could just do KD for Wiggins + Ware instead (assuming Wiggins picks up his player option).

It's tricky finding a good trade match for KD. Needs to be a team that thinks they can compete right now and he's the last piece, and where there aren't already sour relations with "Dickerson", and the stuff coming back needs to make sense for us on a pretty high salary match.

 

We’re at the prequel now.

 

OKC found "the guy" immediately in SGA. All of OKC's moves afterwards, including drafting Chet and Jalen Williams, were great but starting with the blue chip prospect in SGA and him panning out to be an MVP made things easier to build a contender. It's like San Antonio getting to start their rebuild with Wemby, Detroit getting to start with Cade, and Dallas getting to start with Luka or Flagg.

Maybe one of our guys makes that all-NBA leap, but unless they do it's going to be very hard to compete for a championship. We'll either need to luck out in the draft with one of the Phoenix, Brooklyn, or Dallas picks or we'll need to trade for a budding superstar like Indy did with Haliburton. A 36 year old KD cannot be the guy to build around.

 

I REALLY can't comprehend the logic behind beating the trade Sengun drum right now.

His value today from this time last season is probably 1/3rd. If our FO doesn't believe in Sengun, and thinks he really is the bum we see today, then why in the world did we not cash out on him while he had great value last off-season?

We can't just keep trading people at their rock bottom value. If we thought Cam was an idiot, trade him for a late first after his rookie year. Trade at rock bottom on Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, Christian Wood, Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore. Waste the TyTy, Garuba, JC picks. Could waste Eason soon. Overpaid Jabari, overpaid Jalen. Traded BKN picks for PHX picks.

If we panic trade Sengun this off-season at cratered value... I... I just can't.

 

It sucks but I do agree that we need some sort of reset pending how the league changes the draft lottery odds in the coming season. I have a bad feeling that the picks we have right now is soon to be dropping in value

 

Stone had to hard sell Fertita to do a rebuild initially. He won't agree to it again while the team has a decent record. I don't even think Stone would bring it up nor would most GMs because it's basically asking to be fired.

I agree with you. If you want the best chance at a title you just keep getting young players and picks until you hit on one of them. But, they won't do what's necessary because there's always the fear of becoming the Wizards or the Kings.

My guess is the rockets will continue to attempt to build with what they have. They will come into the season expecting a boost from FVV or some other role player we trade for in the offseason. The next offseason would be the year they decide to make wholesale changes but even then it will be desperation for experienced players to contend vs going full rebuild.

 

Phase 2.5- Evaluate the young core and figure out how to proceed with Amen and Sengun

 

I do not know why Jabari is always in those ReSet scenarios but I am willing to comply if I get paid couple thousands.

 

I do not see how you can't, if the distrust between him and the younger players aggravates, you have to do it eventually.

If they side with the soon 38 year old and trade the rest of the young ones, the organization has already lost big time.

 

Nobody is giving up top 8 rotation players and/or big draft picks for KD. Difference maker, yes. But I think that the word on the street is he’ll cause issues. Plus mileage/injury concerns. We’ve gotten lucky so far. I’d expect to see the return on a KD deal to look like a heavily protected mid to late first and bad expiring contracts. You’re still going to have match salaries.

 

I think the Clips would debate your “attrition” theory.

 

I think they tried to accelerate the timeline a little prematurely, lost two key veteran pieces, and didn’t know how to pivot. No harm in trying, it might have worked, but now that it’s obviously NOT working they should cut their losses, move Durant, and continue with the rebuild. Last years team was a lot more enjoyable to watch anyway.

 

What significant regrettable player attrition have the Clippers had? Paul George and James Harden left because the Clippers decided they didn't want to give them new contracts.

If the Clippers wanted them they were theirs to keep.

 

The organization will continue to have the self awareness that short term winning a championship is slim, will continue to build for the future, but will likely not give up completely on the short term for very little reason.

I'm skeptical that one of Reed, Amen, and Sengun will be a Top 10 player. If one of becomes one, that fixes the long-term much more than trading KD for a FRP or 2 (likely not Top 5 picks). As such, I think the Rockets choices are try to build a team with a lot of good players or trade at least 2 of Reed, Amen, and Sengun to rebuild.

I'd give the current team a chance next year as it is hard to project young players on when and if they develop. I still don't think the Rockets have enough information on the young players to decide who to build around long-term.

If I were given the keys of the FO, disregarded what the other members of the FO said, and had to build a team to my preferences (i.e., can't pick the wait-and-see option), I would
1) keep Reed and Durant
2) trade Sengun and Amen for guys that can shoot, dribble, pass, process, and defend;
3) get a young defensive center that can roll to the basket and protect the rim.

I have a strong preference for shooting, processing while having a rim protector at center. I think Amen is the best of the young players right now, but he does not fit my preferences. I don't assume he will ever shoot good enough to have perimeter gravity.

 

Also classic GARM:
"Trade for KD! We need a franchise player!"
(6 months later)
"Trade KD! We need a franchise player!"