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2024-2025 Houston Rockets thread - Prepare for Liftoff ๐Ÿš€ [Now Featuring Kevin Durant]

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38 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

The guy is a choad come to life, but Simmons thinks itโ€™ll take Jalen, Jabari, 10th pick, and the 2027 pick to pry KD away.ย 

Yetโ€ฆ

He thinks the Spurs offer of Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and the 14th pick is a stronger offer.

Iโ€™m good with it if we can replace Jabari with Brooks. Thatโ€™d ย be my price to give up the 2027 pick.ย 

ย 

Yeah, and he's right. Jalen Green's contract is fucking stupid for a guy who isn't great at ANYTHING. 3 years 105 million, for a guy who just shit the bed in the playoffs when it mattered. Even during the regular season he was average at shooting, free throws, 3s, average at best on defense, scores in streaks, and doesn't have a great attitude.ย  The Suns taking him makes no sense for their team makeup, which is why he's a net negative to be included in the trade only for salary. Trying to sell him on being the 6th man on the Suns is gonna be tough. The fact is that if the Rockets want to contend with KD, they cannot give up Fred, it has to be replacing Jalen with KD in the starting lineup, while keeping Fred.ย  That's the only way this team contends next year with KD.ย ย 

Jabari is a good young player, but he's on the last year of his rookie deal. He will need to be extended next season, and that could cost quite a bit to hang on to him. That price makes him a bit less valuable than he really is, but he is a good piece in the deal for sure.ย ย 

The picks are the only real long term value in this trade for the Suns. Getting 2 for KD is something the Suns likely won't accept until the trade deadline when it is inevitable. I think that's a worse package than what the Spurs are offering with pick 14, future lesser firsts and their own Jalen/Jabari type players because I think Vassell > Green. Vassell might become a solid 3+D wing, which is extremely valuable in this league and can be flipped for more assets. Green's ceiling might be Lou Williams at this point, which is not that valuable and will likely cost assets to trade.ย 

Overall, I think it's simply a standoff with MIA/HOU/SAS setting the market for KD low, because they all see the same pros/cons, and don't want to waste future assets on a hail mary.ย ย 

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    also kept the 2027 and 2029 phoenix first round picks.

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1 hour ago, Dutchrudder said:

Yeah, and he's right. Jalen Green's contract is fucking stupid for a guy who isn't great at ANYTHING. 3 years 105 million, for a guy who just shit the bed in the playoffs when it mattered. Even during the regular season he was average at shooting, free throws, 3s, average at best on defense, scores in streaks, and doesn't have a great attitude.ย  The Suns taking him makes no sense for their team makeup, which is why he's a net negative to be included in the trade only for salary. Trying to sell him on being the 6th man on the Suns is gonna be tough. The fact is that if the Rockets want to contend with KD, they cannot give up Fred, it has to be replacing Jalen with KD in the starting lineup, while keeping Fred.ย  That's the only way this team contends next year with KD.ย ย 

Jabari is a good young player, but he's on the last year of his rookie deal. He will need to be extended next season, and that could cost quite a bit to hang on to him. That price makes him a bit less valuable than he really is, but he is a good piece in the deal for sure.ย ย 

The picks are the only real long term value in this trade for the Suns. Getting 2 for KD is something the Suns likely won't accept until the trade deadline when it is inevitable. I think that's a worse package than what the Spurs are offering with pick 14, future lesser firsts and their own Jalen/Jabari type players because I think Vassell > Green. Vassell might become a solid 3+D wing, which is extremely valuable in this league and can be flipped for more assets. Green's ceiling might be Lou Williams at this point, which is not that valuable and will likely cost assets to trade.ย 

Overall, I think it's simply a standoff with MIA/HOU/SAS setting the market for KD low, because they all see the same pros/cons, and don't want to waste future assets on a hail mary.ย ย 

Greenโ€™s contract is worse than Vassellโ€™s. Okie dokie.ย 

1 hour ago, Dutchrudder said:

Yeah, and he's right. Jalen Green's contract is fucking stupid for a guy who isn't great at ANYTHING. 3 years 105 million, for a guy who just shit the bed in the playoffs when it mattered. Even during the regular season he was average at shooting, free throws, 3s, average at best on defense, scores in streaks, and doesn't have a great attitude.ย  The Suns taking him makes no sense for their team makeup, which is why he's a net negative to be included in the trade only for salary. Trying to sell him on being the 6th man on the Suns is gonna be tough. The fact is that if the Rockets want to contend with KD, they cannot give up Fred, it has to be replacing Jalen with KD in the starting lineup, while keeping Fred.ย  That's the only way this team contends next year with KD.ย ย 

Jabari is a good young player, but he's on the last year of his rookie deal. He will need to be extended next season, and that could cost quite a bit to hang on to him. That price makes him a bit less valuable than he really is, but he is a good piece in the deal for sure.ย ย 

The picks are the only real long term value in this trade for the Suns. Getting 2 for KD is something the Suns likely won't accept until the trade deadline when it is inevitable. I think that's a worse package than what the Spurs are offering with pick 14, future lesser firsts and their own Jalen/Jabari type players because I think Vassell > Green. Vassell might become a solid 3+D wing, which is extremely valuable in this league and can be flipped for more assets. Green's ceiling might be Lou Williams at this point, which is not that valuable and will likely cost assets to trade.ย 

Overall, I think it's simply a standoff with MIA/HOU/SAS setting the market for KD low, because they all see the same pros/cons, and don't want to waste future assets on a hail mary.ย ย 

ย 

green is younger than vassell and scoring a 1/3 more pointsย 

williams had a career avg of 14 / game, 7 less than greenย 

Edited by tx 3 putt

56 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Greenโ€™s contract is worse than Vassellโ€™s. Okie dokie.ย 

Green's upside is less optimistic than Vassell's at this point. Again, 3+D is > streaky scorer. For the Suns, Vassell is a much better fit for their team than Green, as they don't need a ball dominant SG.ย  Vassell is much more flexible and can be an addition to many different teams.ย ย 

I personally hope the Rockets pivot from the steep price of KD, and try to find a way to swap Green for Cam Johnson, as he is a much better fit for the future and cap space.ย ย 

Iโ€™m very much in the trade Jalen Green ย camp, but I donโ€™t think the Rockets can get good value for him at the moment. Every national talking head is just shitting all over him. Heโ€™s ย a borderline player of the month in March. He could fill it up on a bad team. Surely somebody like the Nets wants an exciting player they will put asses in seats.ย 

Edited by billfromlaketravis

Plenty of national guys know Jalen is an empty calories player.ย  I think the main problem with Jalen is that he doesn't have any skill that is elite. He's not a good shooter, he's only an 80% FT shooter, he's good at driving, but not consistent. He's weak on defense with a team that was top 5 in defense. He ranked around 70th on catch and shoot 3s, which is awful for a scoring guard. I just can't honestly sell him on anything, because he's so unpolished on every facet of his game. He can dunk and fire up the team about once every 6 games, that's about what his value is, for 33m a year. Oof.

I thought the extension for Green and Alpi was dumb, because I would have LOVED to see them both try to get offers as RFAs and see what they can find on the market. Nobody is clearing cap space to sign Jalen to 33/36/36 million a year, and even Alpi probably wouldn't get that due to lack of cap space around the league.ย  The team could have kept Jalen's cost way down if they had played it right, and if he only cost 20m a year, we wouldn't be having this conversation.ย 

it feels like the tea leaves are pointing towards KD going to San Antonio.ย  if that's the case, what would you guys think about doing something like one of the below trades for Derrick White?

Brooks + Whitmore + #10 + another premium pick or twoย 

or

Jabari + Landale +one more premium pick + 1-2 non-premium picks

It's hard to really know what type of pick compensation is adequate in today's market, but White is under contract for 3 more years + a player option after that and would be 34 at the time his deal expired.ย  He'd be a solid veteran player who can shoot and defend and has won before.

I'd love Derrick White as a Rocket.ย  He's one of my favorite players in the league

The Great White Buffalo - Derrick White - Boston Sticker

ย 

If we could snag one of Trey Murphy and Derek White along with Cam Johnson Iโ€™d be gruntled.ย 

11 minutes ago, BigOrange1 said:

it feels like the tea leaves are pointing towards KD going to San Antonio.ย  if that's the case, what would you guys think about doing something like one of the below trades for Derrick White?

Brooks + Whitmore + #10 + another premium pick or twoย 

or

Jabari + Landale +one more premium pick + 1-2 non-premium picks

It's hard to really know what type of pick compensation is adequate in today's market, but White is under contract for 3 more years + a player option after that and would be 34 at the time his deal expired.ย  He'd be a solid veteran player who can shoot and defend and has won before.

I will be happy if Durant and Giannis go/stay East.ย  Will suck ass if KD goes to SATX.ย  Unbelievable how many breaks those fuckers just fall into.

The bright side is they highly overrate their supporting cast after playing on a piss poor team.ย  Wemby/Fox/KD aren't winning a title as currently constructed

If KD goes to the Spurs heโ€™ll have a career year and sign a team friendly extension. If KD comes to Houston, heโ€™ll probably blow out his Achilles in February right after signing a 3 year supermax extension.ย 

KD, Sengun, Smith, Adams, Amen lineup of all the rebounds and dunks.ย 

Edited by Slacks

Does anyone really believe Durant is that single missing piece for the Rockets and with him they are playing in the Finals?

If so, make the move, but I just see a team that needs a bit more and most likely still 2-3 years away based upon where some of their supposedly key players are at this time.ย 

Thing is, same with the Spurs so why make the trade if you are either of them?

26 minutes ago, PGFrog said:

Does anyone really believe Durant is that single missing piece for the Rockets and with him they are playing in the Finals?

If so, make the move, but I just see a team that needs a bit more and most likely still 2-3 years away based upon where some of their supposedly key players are at this time.ย 

Thing is, same with the Spurs so why make the trade if you are either of them?

Swap Brooks for KD in the starting lineup and yes/maybe....They were two in the West with one of the worst offenses and zero go to scoring options w/ topย  Defense.ย  There are no world beaters this season

ย 

1 hour ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Swap Brooks for KD in the starting lineup and yes/maybe....They were two in the West with one of the worst offenses and zero go to scoring options w/ topย  Defense.ย  There are no world beaters this season

ย 

Brooks ain't the dude getting swapped, it's Green, He's the liability on this team.

2 hours ago, PGFrog said:

Does anyone really believe Durant is that single missing piece for the Rockets and with him they are playing in the Finals?

If so, make the move, but I just see a team that needs a bit more and most likely still 2-3 years away based upon where some of their supposedly key players are at this time.ย 

Thing is, same with the Spurs so why make the trade if you are either of them?

Iโ€™m now firmly in the camp that unless Giannis becomes available for a โ€˜reasonableโ€™ price (it would be massive), we more or less stand pat until the trade deadline next season. Caveat is thereโ€™s probably nobody at 10 who gets any playing time this year so maybe package Whitmore/10/Landale for a vet who can shoot off the bench. Our real value with the PHX picks comes in two yearsโ€ฆ

Edited by Ignatius

3 hours ago, Ignatius said:

Iโ€™m now firmly in the camp that unless Giannis becomes available for a โ€˜reasonableโ€™ price (it would be massive), we more or less stand pat until the trade deadline next season. Caveat is thereโ€™s probably nobody at 10 who gets any playing time this year so maybe package Whitmore/10/Landale for a vet who can shoot off the bench. Our real value with the PHX picks comes in two yearsโ€ฆ

ย 

the kid from france at #10ย 

On 6/17/2025 at 3:44 PM, PGFrog said:

Does anyone really believe Durant is that single missing piece for the Rockets and with him they are playing in the Finals?

If so, make the move, but I just see a team that needs a bit more and most likely still 2-3 years away based upon where some of their supposedly key players are at this time.ย 

Thing is, same with the Spurs so why make the trade if you are either of them?

KD would still be the best player on the Rockets.

6 minutes ago, Slacks said:

KD would still be the best player on the Rockets.

Great, but if the goal is to win a title and the team isn't quite ready why give up draft capital and young players for a guy who has a short career horizon.ย 

3 minutes ago, PGFrog said:

Great, but if the goal is to win a title and the team isn't quite ready why give up draft capital and young players for a guy who has a short career horizon.ย 

The only way to get playoff experience is to play in the playoffs. You want Sengun and Thompson playing as many games in May and June as possible. Durant makes that more of a possibility than Jalen Green.

1 minute ago, HtownHorn said:

The only way to get playoff experience is to play in the playoffs. You want Sengun and Thompson playing as many games in May and June as possible. Durant makes that more of a possibility than Jalen Green.

I don't love Green, but unfortunately neither does Phoenix and I don't like the idea of giving up a great deal for a guy who most likely has a couple of years left.

I will also say I don't exactly love Alpie either as he was way too passive and I really am not sure he is a building block piece.ย ย 

ย 

Ishbia is a basketball regard so heโ€™s probably listening to Ringer podcasts instead of his front office, and arriving at the same conclusion we are. You canโ€™t pair Booker with Green.

Great. They should ask for Brooks instead.ย 

1 hour ago, PGFrog said:

I don't love Green, but unfortunately neither does Phoenix and I don't like the idea of giving up a great deal for a guy who most likely has a couple of years left.

I will also say I don't exactly love Alpie either as he was way too passive and I really am not sure he is a building block piece.ย ย 

ย 

Lulz.

Just now, HtownHorn said:

Lulz.

I am most likely very wrong, but something seems to be missing.ย ย 

Not sure what.ย 

ย 

6 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Ishbia is a basketball regard so heโ€™s probably listening to Ringer podcasts instead of his front office, and arriving at the same conclusion we are. You canโ€™t pair Booker with Green.

Great. They should ask for Brooks instead.ย 

Or get a third team involved who would deal a 4/5 to Phoenix for Greenโ€ฆ

7 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

The only way to get playoff experience is to play in the playoffs. You want Sengun and Thompson playing as many games in May and June as possible. Durant makes that more of a possibility than Jalen Green.

Iโ€™m confident most Rockets fans outside of 3putt would trade Green for Durant. Itโ€™s the Sunsโ€™ demands (and ESPN/Ringer/Athletic similar mock trades) of including Reed, Jabari, Cam, and/or first round picks in the deal that makes it a stinker. Sorry KD, wish it couldโ€™ve worked out. Not blowing up the teamโ€™s next 5+ years for 60 games of KD making $50m.

2 hours ago, Murfdogg21 said:

Iโ€™m confident most Rockets fans outside of 3putt would trade Green for Durant. Itโ€™s the Sunsโ€™ demands (and ESPN/Ringer/Athletic similar mock trades) of including Reed, Jabari, Cam, and/or first round picks in the deal that makes it a stinker. Sorry KD, wish it couldโ€™ve worked out. Not blowing up the teamโ€™s next 5+ years for 60 games of KD making $50m.

I agree. The Suns have zero leverage here. We own their future, trading Durant isn't going to build a better team around Booker. They are likely hard capped no matter what they do.

I'm good with not trading for KD.

If the trade does happen, it needs to not hurt if kD misses 20 games.ย 

I'd be ok giving up Reed. He is easily replaced. Id be OK giving up Cam. He may never buy in.ย  I'm ok giving up #10 pick.

That means there has to be a 3rd team if PHX wants a SF/PF/C... Because I'm not giving up any of Amen,Tari, Jabari, Alperen.

The Locked on Suns guy is deeply, deeply tarded. I wonโ€™t even suggest giving his appearance on Locked on Rockets a listen.ย 
ย 

Actually suggested running it back with Durant and Booker.ย 

2 hours ago, TonyTexas said:

ย 

That just means the Knicks will have to pay even more picks to hire him!ย 

Edited by Dutchrudder

Thinking about this KD thing... I think I see it.

Houston isn't trying to get KD. Houston is the medium through which KD to another team happens... in which case, Houston gets to pick the players they want from around the league and offer up KD and Jalen Green... that's gotta be the move. Jalen to somewhere. KD to somewhere. Picks to PHX. Other picks back to HOU. Player to HOU.

Like...

Tatum is out for all of next year, so... KD to BOS. Green and picks to PHX. Derrick White and picks to HOU... or something like that.... and whatever filler BOS has to send to make the salaries match...ย  Gets BOS a player that can help them continue to win, gets them out of cap hell in a year or two when KDs deal is up and Tatum is back... Gets PHX their picks and a promising young player... gets HOU a 3&D... everyone is solid.

OR.... MIA send Herro to HOU so he and Amen can fight EVERY DAY. KD to MIA. Green to PHX... and picks and filler and shit...

Make that shit work... or at least put it on twitter and attribute it to Black Cock-a-Roach Ninja.

2 hours ago, Slacks said:

Thinking about this KD thing... I think I see it.

Houston isn't trying to get KD. Houston is the medium through which KD to another team happens... in which case, Houston gets to pick the players they want from around the league and offer up KD and Jalen Green... that's gotta be the move. Jalen to somewhere. KD to somewhere. Picks to PHX. Other picks back to HOU. Player to HOU.

Like...

Tatum is out for all of next year, so... KD to BOS. Green and picks to PHX. Derrick White and picks to HOU... or something like that.... and whatever filler BOS has to send to make the salaries match...ย  Gets BOS a player that can help them continue to win, gets them out of cap hell in a year or two when KDs deal is up and Tatum is back... Gets PHX their picks and a promising young player... gets HOU a 3&D... everyone is solid.

OR.... MIA send Herro to HOU so he and Amen can fight EVERY DAY. KD to MIA. Green to PHX... and picks and filler and shit...

Make that shit work... or at least put it on twitter and attribute it to Black Cock-a-Roach Ninja.

Like a flounder feasting of the Spurs or Twolves stupidity.ย 

3 hours ago, Slacks said:

Thinking about this KD thing... I think I see it.

Houston isn't trying to get KD. Houston is the medium through which KD to another team happens... in which case, Houston gets to pick the players they want from around the league and offer up KD and Jalen Green... that's gotta be the move. Jalen to somewhere. KD to somewhere. Picks to PHX. Other picks back to HOU. Player to HOU.

Like...

Tatum is out for all of next year, so... KD to BOS. Green and picks to PHX. Derrick White and picks to HOU... or something like that.... and whatever filler BOS has to send to make the salaries match...ย  Gets BOS a player that can help them continue to win, gets them out of cap hell in a year or two when KDs deal is up and Tatum is back... Gets PHX their picks and a promising young player... gets HOU a 3&D... everyone is solid.

OR.... MIA send Herro to HOU so he and Amen can fight EVERY DAY. KD to MIA. Green to PHX... and picks and filler and shit...

Make that shit work... or at least put it on twitter and attribute it to Black Cock-a-Roach Ninja.

That needs to be a 4 team because Phoenix wants nothing to do with Green.

I think Iโ€™d be ok with sweetening that with one of Eason or Sheppard

Edited by TonyTexas

Iโ€™d do it with Eason; still holding out hope for Sheppard to developโ€ฆ

Question for the board NBA cap experts.

If Durant is getting paid just under $52M and Green is getting paid just over $35M (How the fuck is that even possible. The NBA owners are damn near as dumb as the MLB owners.), how can a 1 for 1 swap work?ย 

23 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

I think Iโ€™d be ok with sweetening that with one of Eason or Sheppard

I love Eason but he and Thompson do some of the same things and opens some playing time for Cam. Would rather keep Reed.ย 
ย 

Suns would be looking for a third team to send Green to in that situation im guessing.ย 

Edited by ChickenSandwich

24 minutes ago, PGFrog said:

Question for the board NBA cap experts.

If Durant is getting paid just under $52M and Green is getting paid just over $35M (How the fuck is that even possible. The NBA owners are damn near as dumb as the MLB owners.), how can a 1 for 1 swap work?ย 

St Patricks Day Rainbow GIF by TipsyElves.com

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39 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

I think Iโ€™d be ok with sweetening that with one of Eason or Sheppard

No way am I giving up on Sheppard. It would end up being a repeat of us giving up on Craig Ehlo or Goran Dragic and burn us horribly in the end.

39 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

I think Iโ€™d be ok with sweetening that with one of Eason or Sheppard

ย 

38 minutes ago, Ignatius said:

Iโ€™d do it with Eason; still holding out hope for Sheppard to developโ€ฆ

ย 

17 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

I love Eason but he and Thompson do some of the same things and opens some playing time for Cam. Would rather keep Reed.ย 
ย 

Suns would be looking for a third team to send Green to in that situation im guessing.ย 

Tough one. I think Reed is replaceable. We have no idea what he is. We know Tari can be a starter... If he can play.

rockets have to be careful here, kd nuked the nets and suns then skipped townย 

Pick 10 in the draft would be selected by Houston and count asย $6,016,080 in the trade.ย 

Jalen Green's salary for next year doesn't kick in until the new year starts and is worth 33 million

Reed Shepherd's contract next year is worthย $10,098,960, and would likely make this trade work after the new league year hits.ย 

It's simply impossible to do Green+10 straight up for KD because the Rockets are a 1st apron team, and the Suns are a 2nd apron team. Need to make it more salary balanced.ย 

Jock Landale and his 8 million non-gtd would also be of use in this trade and help Phoenix drop some salary to get below 2nd apron.ย ย 

ย 

Edit: one more note, the rework of Fred's contract would have to be executed to drop below 1st apron. If they can bring his cost down from 44m to under 34m that would relieve the 10m+ needed to get under the 1st apron.ย  That does change the trade dynamic to where the Rockets can offer less salary and take back more, while also helping the Suns drop salary in the process.ย 

Edited by Dutchrudder

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