What the Rockets do with the second overall pick in the draft will go a large way in dictating the team’s subsequent moves, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The pick is the highest Houston has had since it drafted Yao Ming first overall in 2002, and Feigen writes that the team has a responsibility to put whatever player it selects in a position to succeed.
If the Rockets take Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green, that could mean finding a way to move Eric Gordon and/or John Wall to open up more playing time next to revelation Kevin Porter Jr. If they take Evan Mobley, it could mean not re-signing Kelly Olynyk. But moving on from those incumbent players isn’t mandatory. Feigen suggests that playing alongside veterans like Gordon, Olynyk and Wall could help the rookies ease into the NBA a learn under players who have been in big moments before.
We have more from the Rockets:
- Florida guard Tre Mann‘s first NBA workout was with the Rockets, tweets Kelly Iko of The Athletic. The Rockets have two picks at 23 and 24 that could be in Mann’s draft range. The sweet-shooting point guard said he thought he’d fit well on the team.
- The Rockets have moved quickly to remake their front office following the departure of Daryl Morey, Jonathan Feigen writes, and now the pressure will be on to produce results. Part of what makes this brain trust unique, according to Feigen, is the lack of titles or an established hierarchy among the staff outside of the GM and assistant GM positions, especially among the scouts. For GM Rafael Stone, that’s an intentional decision. “It’s more about adding a different perspective or different thought process,” Stone said. “If you are trying to solve a complicated puzzle, which we absolutely are, you put together people from disparate backgrounds who’ve been successful in disparate paths because hopefully you’ll find a lot of intelligent people and maybe they can solve different puzzles in different ways.”
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks breaks down the offseason outlook for the Rockets. This includes Stone opening the doorway to the possibility of trading out of the number two spot. “It’s not necessarily that you’re looking to do that,” says Stone, “but you shouldn’t foreclose any option.” Marks also identifies the paths Stone has taken to rebuild the roster following the trades of Russell Westbrook and James Harden, including – most notably – their sign-and-trade deal for Christian Wood and acquisition of Porter.
Wallywood,
As I said,
If Rockets take Cade, Jalen Green or Suggs, John Wall may need to downgrade to bench
It’s a huge bench
I don’t believe Rockets will move John Wall because of his Wallet
Wall is definitely overpaid and the Rockets would have to give up picks just to move him.
He’s no harder to move than Simmons would be. And they’re not sending Wall to the bench, they already have a solid 6th man with Gordon.
Wall is still effective as a true PG, they don’t need him to score a lot. He’s also a good defender. Porter can start at SG and serve as the 2nd unit PG.
imo, Wall is more difficult to move. He’s played 111 games over the past four seasons and has ~$45 million coming to him in each of the next two years plus a 15% trade kicker. So on top of his massive deal, you can’t really be sure that he’s even going to play/help you.
Simmons is still young, healthy, and plays elite defense (plus rebounding, finishing, passing are all above average). His deal is backloaded, yes, but even the last year ($38 million) is way less than either of Wall’s years. In four year’s time, who knows what the cap will look like? His deal might not look as bad then.
And this is no defense of Simmons. He can’t shoot and has shown no desire to grow offensively. But I do think people are overreacting a bit to a handful of games in the playoffs. They were the #1 seed for a reason and he played a big role in that. When’s the last time Wall was even on a good team? Grand total of 37 playoff games in his 11 years in the league.
The 15% trade kicker does not apply because he already makes the maximum salary. Trade kickers will not allow anything past maximum salary.
And you can’t fault Wall for the Wizards being unable to surround him with talent. Even Beal didn’t become great until his 4th or 5th year. Up until then he was considered somewhat of a disappointing high draft pick. Wall took several Wizards teams that should have been lottery teams into a relatively competitive team almost by himself. He is overpaid right now, but he is still a likely future HOFer.
My bad, his 15% kicker was actually voided as well when he was traded to Houston. But anyway, his contract is enormous and he’s difficult to trade.
And I’m not really faulting Wall for the Wizards failures, but it’s a fact he’s never won anything or been on any teams as good as the Sixers are now. I’m saying his value is way lower than Simmons’ and he’s harder to trade.
I’d put Wall in the HoF as well if he plays a few more good seasons. Big if, though.
WallyWood, c’mon man. Simmons would be significantly easier to trade than Wall. I’m a Rockets fan, but we can’t be this homerish.
Wall is much harder to move than Simmons. Do you only play video games where you can force trades?
Such insight ….. you’re way past a Homer. We all know you’re only here to create havoc. Try and keep it to basketball lol. Cause you’re about to change your Name AGAIN.
It’s truly foolish comments like this, Wally, that make it impossible to believe you’re older than 20.
Wall definitely harder to move than Simmons
I agree but I think if the rockets aren’t in a position to win the next 3 years then think ahead to the next draft. What’s the majority of that draft? Guards or bigs. If Cade goes first then Mobley would be great. He reminds me of AD. Although Green is a scoring machine, I think he’ll slow Porter’s development as a scoring guard. With all that said, what do I know I’ve never been involved in making a team outside of video games.
I don’t believe Mobley will be top 3 pick
Pistons take Cade
Rockets take Green
Cavs have Jarrett Allen
I kinda agree …… And you laid it out well
Only thing Ive been thinkin lately that would detour this is; Cavs trade 3 to Orl for 5 and 8 and Orlando has their Shaq II moment w Mobs at 3
But yea, no trades, which I think is most likely, and I think Toronto happily gets Mobley at 4 !
Mobley, as good a prospect as he is, is not in Shaq’s orbit as a draftee. No way no how, amigo.
Rockets cannot dump Wall 90M contract without picks… Maybe Gordon who Still have 2yr40M
I keep reading the Mobley AD comparisons. I do not see it. He reminds me of a skinny Bosh. I think Detroit takes Cade and we get Green to pair with KPJ in the back court. Wall is not tradable at this point, but let’s not forget the exact same thing was said of Paul and the Rockets literally are rebuilding the Thunder with that dumbass trade. Paul has been fantastic since getting healthy. A healthy year makes Wall tradable next season to a contender. In the meantime he can help the young guys. Gordon when healthy is tradable for a salary exemption or late 1st. A lot of teams need scoring. I mean we ended up with a #1 for Tucker at the deadline. Lastly, I thank my lucky stars everyday we did not do the Simmons for Harden trade that 95% of the posters here wanted. We would have ended up with two guards that can’t shoot and we would have had to swap picks with OKC and then Miami (would not have been protected). Simmons would have made us good enough to finish out of top 4.
Rockets will take Mobley cause Wood is trade bait. Wood is not the future in Houston. Mobley and what they get for Wood and their other picks are. Gordon will be shopped too. Rockets best move is full rebuild. They lucked out with pick this yr. Wall healthy can be moved too. He’s not Chris, so stop that. Needs to show he’s healthy first. Then get his ast. He can be a 20 n 10 guy healthy. Without his speed. Then Rockets can move him. Rockets have to go full rebuild. If they don’t. They are idiots.
Agree with a lot of this, but I think Houston won’t trade Wall bc that’s going to take picks until he’s expiring. And even then, how much more bad money do you want to keep. Gordon is going to be hard to move too.
Wonder if Wood + 23 + 24 gets them into the top 5 or top 10… that would make them interesting again.
Yeah but if they wait till he is healthy. And playing well. Someone will take a chance on him. We got to remember there’s a reason why they signed these contracts. So why kill them for it now.
There’s also a chance you’ve signed the supermax and never returned as the player you once were. Some more supermax contracts like Wall’s and Westbrook’s and the NBA just might think about giving teams a chance to amnesty a player again.
Mobley is really good but I don’t see H-town trading Wood.
So Jalen Green or Suggs it likely is at #2.
“Rockets have to go full rebuild. If they don’t. They are idiots. ”
Nevermind Wood, they also have JTate and Martin jr., KPJ and maybe Olynyk.
I muted Wallywood so I can appreciate the Rox appropriately. robohouston can affect my mind.
If Rockets take Mobley, that’s a massive mistake. Similar to what Vlade did with Bagley over Dončić. Big men are just not the way to go in the current NBA.
If the Sixers trade Big Ben and that is a massive if it won’t be his lack of confidence in his shot that is the reason , how about his coach and teammate throwing him under the proverbial bus. The league knows Simmons value is still mega high so with that being said Houston hasn’t much to offer .
Since the Rockets won’t be getting Cade I think they’ll be deciding between Suggs and Mobley.
I think in the end they will take Mobley.
But it’ll be interesting to see what they do with their other first round picks.
One option could be Eric Gordon, the 18th and the 24th for Kelly Oubre (sign and trade) and the 14th.
GSW get a good return for a player that was going to leave in FA anyway. They get a veteran knockdown shooter and two firsts for the price of 1. Houston gets rid of Gordon’s contract for Oubre on a fresh one and he could still have a bounce back season and increase his value. They also move up a couple spaces with one of their picks.
Why would they rule out Green? Stone obviously has not decided anything yet.
BTW the reason Stone’s management employees don’t have titles is because nobody wants them— No need to fight off headhunters… Yet (?). Also he does not know who to trust to advise him, much less what the winning advise would be.
My guess:
1. Cade
2. Either Mobley or Green
3. Either Mobley or Green
4. Suggs
I don’t see Houston taking Suggs with Wall in the backcourt – too much $$$ to justify and Green may be the higher ceiling of them all. Mobley would make the most sense, but depends on the direction Houston feels they should take.
Cleveland I’m sure would take either Green or Mobley, and I’d assume Mobley would best fit. Allen would be an easier trade than Sexton – I don’t think they’d get what they’d hope for by putting Sexton out on the market. Garland, Sexton, Love and Mobley isn’t too bad.
Suggs landing in Toronto would only make sense.
Agree with this, but want to point out that Allen wouldn’t necessarily need to be traded if Mobley is brought in. A detailed scouting video I watched of him on youtube really shows he has the ability to be a tall PF. He can shoot, play great interior and perimeter defense without fouling, and has a very solid IQ. I think his highest ceiling is at C, but a Garland-Sexton (if not traded)-Okoro-Mobley-Allen lineup doesn’t sound too far out of the question.
Worst contracts in league:
1.Wall
2.Porzingis
3.Simmons
4.Love
5.Westbrick
6.Hayward
7.Gobert
8.D’Lo
9.Wiggins
10.Kyrie
Gobert? Say what? I’m not even a Jazz fan and I think that’s some serious disrespect.
A bad contract = one that no team would take into open cap space (without adding other consideration).
3, 7 and 10 are not even bad contracts (not debatable). They could be moved tomorrow for value. 2 and 6 are debatable as bad contracts, but certainly not near the 10 worst. 5 is a bad contract (no debate), but not sure it’s 10 worst after Westbrick’s year.
Ben Simmons could be moved for value? Are you serious? His value has plummeted since the start of the season. In fact he should be #1 on that list, his contract is far worse right now than John Wall’s.
Many teams would love to have Ben Simmons due to his passing and defense, and the potential threat he could be if they help him develop a shot.
How is Kemba not on there?
On what planet is Kyrie’s deal a bad one? 2 years and $70 million left and when he’s healthy, he’s elite. I get that there’s a lot of hate for him for his attitude or off-the-court stuff, but come on. Plenty of teams would give up value for him. One is just a borough over.
Nor is Gobert’s deal a bad one. Elite defense around the rim, elite rebounding, can finish (which is all he’s asked to do). He had a couple of bad games because the Clippers hit a bunch of threes and Utah made no adjustments and suddenly people are trashing him.
Gobert should be top 5. He will not win another DPOY after Clippers exposed him by going small. Kemba should replace Wiggins. We can’t omit Griffin even though Pistons paid him off. Others for dishonorable mention … Harris, Siakam, and sorry to say this .. Klay.
Gobert should not be top 5, nor should he be anywhere near this list. You’re turning him into one of the worst contracts in the NBA based off of like two playoff games. Pump the brakes, dude.
Your list is incomplete without Klay Thompson. He was a great player, but who knows what he will be after 2 full years off. And he is a max salary for a while. I’d put his deal as much worse than Wall.
Mobley is a 2way talent. A center that can shoot. He’s not AD. He needs girth to really reach his ceiling. I like him. I think in 3-4 yrs he’ll be a top big. What will Rockets do in next three yrs …………..
Excatly.
That’s why you sell high on Wood now. You put him on Celtics. They become a serious contender. I’ll take Thompson, Romeo, and a future #1. Imo Romeo just needs mins, a chance. He’s a 2 with good size.
He’s also a big man at a time when the league is ran by guards and small forwards.
The Rockets aren’t trading down with a chance to draft a franchise player at #2, it’s not even an option for them. They could however trade one or both of their other first round picks at #23 and #24. Houston has two sizable TPE’s at $5M from the Harden trade and $8.2M from the Oladipo trade so they could get one or two players with relatively small contracts. They will still have multiple first round picks in the next two drafts in 2022 and 2023. And they can still re-sign Olynyk even if they draft Evan Mobley. Both of them can player either PF or center and the Rockets can have two bigs on the court at the same time since all of them (including Wood) are very capable 3-point shooters. They don’t have to get rid of Wall or Gordon either if they draft Green or Suggs, or even Cade if the Pistons take someone else.
Don’t make sense to try and build a playoff team. The future is this pick and the youth movement. That’s why I talk about trading Wood. Especially if you draft Mobley. Rockets need to find young players and hit on picks. In next few yrs. It’s best way to build a real solid team. Wall, Gordon, Wood don’t need to be here for rebuild. Like I’ve said before. You look at Cam in Phoenix. I take a chance on a young player like Bagley or Markkanen. Either would look good next to Mobley. I would embrace the youth movement and rebuild thru draft n trades.
I love the Rockets, but Wall and Gordon SHOULD NOT be part of their future.
I am not saying it”s the same but this year somehow reminds me of class of 84,does H-T go for Mobley or Green (Dream or MJ) ? again I am not saying these guys are as good as dream or mj,,all I am saying is it feels like the way H-T was at that time