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We aren't Orlando Magic level worry yet

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by dmoneybangbang, Feb 23, 2026 at 1:19 AM.

  1. dmoneybangbang

    dmoneybangbang Member

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    I feel like based on expectations the last several seasons, the Magic are a bit more disappointing and worrisome in regards to where they are. However, we maybe on their trajectory if we don't get some internal improvement in the playmaking and shooting department or hit more on these FA signings and trades.

    The Ringer NBA Group Chat had a great podcast going over the Bane and KD moves and re-evaluated them. Our teams are a bit similar in our youth, our lack of offensive identity, our defensive tilted roster, and bad injury luck.

    We don't need to panic yet, lets at least wait until after the playoffs to overreact in typical GARM manner. The Magic have given up more assets to acquire Bane than we gave up for Durant, so we still have ammo left without trading our 2 best, young players. We got:
    • Our cap space is in relatively good order, there's a pretty decent chance we will extend Amen for less than 25% of the cap (Sengun is ~22% and Durant will be ~26% for reference).
    • We still got some good picks coming up (BKN 2027 looks juicy) plus all of our own 2028 and beyond.
    • We still have Amen and Sengun as trade assets plus other young players
    • Durant can tell the Rockets he wants to bounce in 2027 and maybe we can grab a late FRP
    • Hire very reputable offensive assistants

    We still have a lot of options heading into the offseason, some way more significant than others.
     
    #1 dmoneybangbang, Feb 23, 2026 at 1:19 AM
    Patience, MystikArkitect, Codman and 2 others like this.
  2. ashleyem

    ashleyem Member

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    Looking forward to becoming a championship contender again in 2056.
     
    #2 ashleyem, Feb 23, 2026 at 3:12 AM
    Jontro, Bo6, RB713 and 2 others like this.
  3. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Shaq would not have left today, nor Tmac in eras when everybody gets locked up.

    I still see the Magic as a potential better set franchise than your Morey Sixers.

    Paths for Magic - Draft like Memphis as OKC model is unreachable



    • Quit favoring size over guards and shooters
    • Can Mosley, hire balaced coach with Offense coordinator
    • Try to get rid of Bane in the next years
    • Pick between Paolo and Franz as both are no real shooters
    • Go thru the Draft, draft Number 1 guy
    • Keep Suggs, trade Isaac and Wendell Carter.
    • Structure, get high class guys, the best shooting coach you could obtain, build characters.
     
    #3 daywalker02, Feb 23, 2026 at 4:54 AM
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2026 at 5:11 AM
  4. Rokman

    Rokman Member

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    More like B2B Champions in 2094 and 2095. Rockets, the Centennial Champions. My great, great grandchildren will have a blast watching that.
     
    #4 Rokman, Feb 23, 2026 at 5:11 AM
    Patience, RB713 and amaru like this.
  5. Plowman

    Plowman Member

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    While I agree that we have enough talent and assets to be serious contenders....they need to be managed correctly. In theory, yes, an offensive assistant would be great. But, it's not going to happen. Ime needs to go, and I'm losing faith in Stone as well. Yeah, we've suffered injuries, and are basically playing for next year. But, I'm not a believer in the org as it's structured with these two dudes.
     
    #5 Plowman, Feb 23, 2026 at 5:39 AM
  6. RB713

    RB713 Member

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    I feel better now.
     
    #6 RB713, Feb 23, 2026 at 6:56 AM
    Salvy likes this.
  7. MystikArkitect

    MystikArkitect Member

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    Paolo and Franz are still young. All of our guys are still young. I was talking to my wife about how one thing the often gets overlooked with this generation of kids is they essentially lost two years of development due to COVID. Feels like they are all late bloomers. Even Chet has stagnated. Cade took longer than expected to "figure it out".

    Both teams probably need to chill.
     
    #7 MystikArkitect, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:15 AM
    Crashlanded19, dmoneybangbang, Patience and 1 other person like this.
  8. Astrodome

    Astrodome Member

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    We play them Thursday in what should be a 4-0 week for the Rockets. UTAH, SAC, ORL, MIA. Sorry for your luck Magic.
     
    #8 Astrodome, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:28 AM
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  9. Bo6

    Bo6 Member

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    [​IMG]

    + Orlando gives us 2026 First round pick.

    We go into next season with :

    Black / Fred
    Reed / Okogie / 2026 first round pick?
    Thompson / Eason / Tate
    Banchero / Smith / DFS
    Smith / Wendall Carter Jr / Adams

    Then you have the 2026 first round pick to draft a SG or a stretch 5. You lock Banchero and Amen in a gym together all summer and shoot 3's until they pass out. You give Smith all-you-can-eat coupons to Pappasitos to add 15lbs of strength this summer.

    Orlando improves as well as they have a great starting 5 of :
    Suggs / Bane / KD / Wagner / Sengun
     
    #9 Bo6, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:45 AM
  10. Arnel

    Arnel Member

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    Hey that’s the true meaning of generational wealth!
     
    #10 Arnel, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:51 AM
    Rokman likes this.
  11. Arnel

    Arnel Member

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    Nahhh blow it up! Lol. Oh also the nuggets lost yesterday to a Golden State team that was without Curry, Draymond, Porzingus, Butler LOLLL

    If that happened to the rockets we’d have protests on the street.
     
    #11 Arnel, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:53 AM
    BamBam and Patience like this.
  12. Salvy

    Salvy Member

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    Hell yeah!! We aren't in the worse situation in the league!!! Just the 2nd worse!!!
     
    #12 Salvy, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:57 AM
  13. Rokman

    Rokman Member

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    That's why we have to do our part now, to carry it down to our progeny so they can enjoy the same indulgences we had.
     
    #13 Rokman, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:59 AM
    Arnel likes this.
  14. BamBam

    BamBam Member

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    [​IMG]
    :eek:

    What happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas!!:cool:

    .......
    .......
    .......
     
    #14 BamBam, Feb 23, 2026 at 9:22 AM
    Arnel likes this.
  15. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
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    Magic are already cap/apron locked, and only have 2 FRPs in the next 5 years. I don't see their roster as good enough to win the championship, and I don't see assets to improve the roster.

    The Rockets short term try at the championship is going about as poorly as the Magic's. The Rockets long-term still have a ton of picks, and the financial situation of the team looks good in that the mistakes will be gone in a season or 2 such that the short-term try has little impact on Rockets long-term.
     
    #15 Joe Joe, Feb 23, 2026 at 9:40 AM
    dmoneybangbang and Rokman like this.
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