Problem is some of these guys you won’t be able to trade for until December. They’ve already signed deals.
We're not getting any of these guys. Iguodala maybe and that's only if we S&T Shumpert and a pick or two to Memphis for him, otherwise he's going somewhere else if bought out.
In 1986, the Rockets beat the Lakers in a five game playoff series thanks to a last second shot by Ralph Sampson. In the off-season, there were rumblings in LA about the need to retool the team. Fans were calling for a major overhaul. But Pat Riley and Magic Johnson got together and decided to stand pat after assessing the team's performance over the course of the entire 1985-86 campaign. It was the best decision the Lakers could have made. They won the title the very next year. The Rockets should take note of this. Houston had the best record in the league in 2018, and the fifth best record in 2019, even while dealing with a rash injuries over the course of the season. The Rockets do not need major adjustments to keep their winning ways alive. They can win a championship with a few tweaks and refinements... as long as James Harden and Chris Paul can put their differences behind them. Just like Riley and Magic in 1986, the Rockets should take a deep breath... and then take a long hard look at the roster... before surrendering to knee-jerk overreactions that may very well make it impossible to compete at the highest level in 2020 and beyond. The Rockets can't fall asleep at the wheel. If a good move presents itself, then take it. But there's no need to panic. The Rockets don't need to be rebuilt. Let cooler heads prevail. Patience is a virtue after all. Change can be exciting and dramatic. But change for the sake of change without a readily identifiable purpose, seldom works out well for anyone. Last season, Tucker -- our best defender -- was stretched thin having to constantly guard the opponent's best wing player in the playoffs. We can't have a repeat of that problem. We are going up against an onslaught of LeBron, Kawhi, George, etc in the West and our current wings are massive liabilities. This is our single greatest weakness. Morey needs to add a quality 3-and-D wing next to Tucker in the lineup. So, here are some possible solutions: Robert Covington The one that even Morey admits got away. Convington checks all the boxes and fits perfectly in our system: great defense, efficient 3PT shooting, affordable contract. Bring him back! Justise Winslow My sleeper favorite to breakout next season. Winslow has always been a great defender since college, but finally found his shooting stroke with back-to-back seasons of efficient 38% and 37.5% 3PT shooting. Meanwhile, he's only 23 years old -- still young, very athletic, and has an excellent 3-year $39 million contract, which is exactly the kind of deal that gets Morey out of bed in the morning. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised to hear if Winslow is already on top of Morey's wishlist. Andre Iguodala Currently in limbo with the Grizzlies, not sure if Memphis will buy him out or trade him. Either way, Iggy still has a lot left in the tank as a defensive specialist and could become what Ariza was for the Rockets. Jae Crowder Another player stuck on the Grizzlies after the Conley trade. Crowder could easily be acquired for relatively few assets in return since he's in the final year of his contract with only a $7 million salary. He gave the Rockets plenty of trouble these past two postseasons while playing for the Jazz. Overall, I like his size, frame, and muscular build. Like Tucker, he can grind in the post and take on bigger power forwards if needed. Andre Roberson Now that the Thunder are on the verge of trading Westbrook and rebuilding, Roberson will certainly be dealt as well. He's a tremendous defender when healthy and has excellent defensive metrics. However, his terrible 25% career 3PT shooting is why I'm not fully sold on him and have him ranked the lowest. Still, he could be a great fit if used right like the polar opposite of Gerald Green who is all offense and no defense. Regardless of what Clutchfans haters, whiners, and crybabies have to say, I would be very happy with Morey if he could pull this off. Landing one these quality small forwards would be a huge roster upgrade and the Rockets lineup would be set to make another run at the championship.[/QUOTE]
Winslow, Covington and Oubre would be amazing gets, but doubt we have the resources to pull that off. The three targets I'd go after are all on Memphis - Iggy, Crowder, and Justin Holiday. Shumpert S&T at $13 MM is enough to take on Iggy Shumpert S&T or a combo of our NGs is enough to take on Crowder Holiday is still on the market and would be a steal at the minimum. I'd hesitate to hard cap ourselves for a player of his caliber, though. Sprinkle in picks as needed. (If Iggy is hellbent on going to LA, we could do the following: Shump + 2nds to MEM Iggy to LAC Harkless to HOU)
Excellent question. I think the reason OKC would deal Winslow is because he really doesn't move the needle for them. Let me be very clear: Winslow doesn't have star potential. Even in Miami, Winslow is considered a letdown, but that's because the Heat had very high expectations from a 10th overall pick in the aftermath of the LeBron-Wade departure. Meanwhile, OKC is looking to shed salary, not take on more. Presti wants picks so he tank and rebuild through the draft. Like I said Winslow is not a star in the making, but I believe he will make an excellent role-player on a championship caliber team where he can play 3rd or 4th option on offense, shoot the 3PT efficiently, and provide stellar defense which has been his calling-card.
The Winslow infatuation is so weird to me. We could add so many guys and you guys are always like he can’t shoot, he can’t shoot don’t want. Then we have better options that are better shoes than Winslow and you want him over guys like cov that are better shooters?
Yeah...we just have to hope some of these guys become available at all at some point. Like Morey says...you don't need to be the best team in October -- need to be the best team in June.
He would be at the top of the Rockets list because he can cover long term either the 3 or the 4. He is overall solid on three point shots but he has periods where he struggles. There is a lot of questions about how much his injury has hurt his game. The Timberwolves want players that the Rockets do not have in trade so any deal for Covington would likely be a three team deal. The Wolves GM has been told to win now. He has received a lot of criticism for what he DOESN'T do. He has never developed the ability to put the ball on the floor and score, and he is not the type of passer people expected coming out of college. The Heat want to hold onto him and the only way he is dealt is in a Westbrook trade. Even then, I am not sure the Rockets would give up Gordon or Capela for him. It is unlikely that expiring contracts and a #1 from the Rockets would be enough if Winslow ends up in OKC. Even at closer to 40 than 30, Iguodala is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, only behind a select group like Leonard and George. He no longer is interested in playing heavy minutes during the regular season, but in bursts he is an elite defender with an odd flair for improving his shooting at key moments. He is the most likely player on the list to end up a Rocket. Right now Iguodala wants to decide where he plays, and that isn't necessarily Houston. Solid and physically defender and likely a good enough shooter to prevent his butt from being glued to the bench. A lot of teams believe he will ultimately be waved. Really good defender, horrible offensive player coming off a horrific injury. Would likely get a slightly above the minimum contract if on the market. If you cannot score some, you aren't going to play. Others........ Damyean Dotson - Has a 6'10" wingspan with quick feet and a solid three point shooter. He would help the Rockets greatly. Terrance Ferguson - He is green but has all the tools. He has a 6'9" wingspan and is more explosive than most others. He is more concerned with scoring now, but all the tools are there. Josh Okogie - Has a tremendous wingspan and is very tough minded. He is only 6'5" but has a wingspan of 7'0" and likes defending. He is another player that needs to improve but he is very gifted and will likely be a good player. Keita Bates - His offensive game is so raw and his three point shot is a work in progress but he has a very rare tool box on the defensive end. He is 6'8" with a 7'4" wingspan and solid lateral movement. He has an extremely high upside defensively and also is an excellent rebounder.
Winslow is 5 years younger, a wing that's on what I would consider a good contract, and has shot very well from 3 the last 2 seasons. He's a good defender making steady progress with his offensive game, but you're right. Covington has better stats from 3, not a great deal better this past season (when he played), but better, and for more seasons, has a better contract that expires the same year Winslow's would (that year, the numbers are basically even), but is coming off of knee surgery for an injury that caused him to miss most of last season. He's been cleared to play, so hopefully that's behind him. The T-Puppies are allegedly thinking of moving him. I think it's a toss-up, although Winslow appeals to me because he's younger and we might be able to get him due to Miami attempting to get Westbrook and needing picks to do it. I'd be happy with either one, to be honest.
I'm not a fan of this approach anymore. Morey waiting for the the trade deadline and doing absolutely nothing last year costs us better playoff positioning. It's time for Tilman to put his money where his mouth is. Go out and pay the luxury tax for a championship team. I cut him a lot slack last year for delaying the timeline of becoming a repeat tax offender, but the bill is now due. Look, I am not asking for a luxury or new toy, but for a freaking DEFENSIVE SMALL FORWARD -- the biggest liability on this roster considering we are going to have to face LeBron, Kawhi, George, etc if we want to win the Western Conference. Enough talk from Tilman and Morey. Get the team a solid starting small forward now so that they can head into training camp and gel properly to come out of the gates strong and secure a top seed early.
I have to agree, although if he can find a good deal improving the team at mid-season, of course he should jump on it, as I'm sure you wouldn't argue. Morey needs to make a significant move now. A good defensive wing, one that can shoot the 3, even if he's coming off the bench, would help reduce PJ's minutes. Friar Tuck isn't getting any younger, and like Harden, he needs his minutes reduced, in my opinion. A versatile wing could help reduce more than just Tucker's minutes. Someone like Winslow, perhaps. Yeah, I figure that if he keeps getting brought up, it'll produce the juju needed to miraculously get him in a Rockets uniform. ;-)
I'm absolutely with you on improving the team any chance you can get even at the trade deadline. However, we shouldn't head into the season with a glaring hole at small forward and hope to fix at the trade deadline. Build a championship roster now that you are satisfied with going into the season. Then, see what works, what sticks, and what doesn't. Use the trade deadline make adjustments. Finally, I'm all aboard with you on getting Winslow. I was one of the first ones to bring him up on this board. He'd be a tremendous splash for me if Morey could somehow work his magic!
