The Rockets have some interest in Hawks forward John Collins, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko suggests that Houston hasn’t put a formal offer on the table for Collins, but that the two teams have talked as Atlanta gauges league-wide interest in the big man.
As Iko details, the Rockets have expressed interest in Collins in the past, including when they traded Clint Capela to Atlanta back at the 2020 deadline. Although they’re intrigued by the possibility of acquiring the 25-year-old, the Rockets would have to consider a number of factors, including Collins’ fit alongside young cornerstones Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith, as well as his long-term contract.
According to Iko, the Rockets value the cap flexibility they have going forward. Collins’ contract would cut significantly into that flexibility — he’s owed $25.3MM next season and $26.6MM in 2024/25, with a $26.6MM player option for ’25/26. Before talks with the Hawks get serious, Houston would have to decide whether it’s worth sacrificing both current assets and future opportunities for Collins.
Here’s more from Iko on the Rockets:
- Houston has interest in Pacers center Myles Turner, but he’d likely be a target in free agency rather than via trade, according to Iko. The Rockets would be reluctant to engage in a bidding war and surrender valuable assets for a player on an expiring deal.
- Veteran shooting guard Eric Gordon remains a strong candidate to be traded before the February 9 deadline (and has privately expressed some frustration with his situation, per Iko), but the Rockets are also open to the idea of adding another veteran or two to their roster. As Iko explains, the team’s rebuild has perhaps left the roster perhaps too young, with 10 Houston players no older than 22. The front office may prefer a little more balance.
- Team and league sources tell Iko that a few clubs around the league have floated the idea of offering a first-round pick for Kenyon Martin Jr., but the Rockets haven’t received any concrete offers. Houston wouldn’t be interested in trading Martin for a second-round pick, Iko adds.
Rockets need to get a front office and coaching that will bring in FAs if they want to value their cap. They also need an ownership that has good relationship with their players too. I’m not sending any of that from Houston, though I don’t fault coaching all too much Silas was dealt a terrible hand. Went from Harden rockets to Hard time rockets.
Rockets are not serious on John Collins trade.
Simth needs more PT next season.
This is the issue
If Rockets have more than 4-year worst record in the nba, some small markets will file a complain against them
Rockets traded away 3 their own future first round picks for 15th seed.
Lakers traded away 3 their own future first round picks for 13th seed.
They’ve accumulated enough young assets to make a move this off-season. A new coach and the right trades/free agents, and they could start to do some damage starting next season.
Agreed. They honestly have too much youth. Same with Orlando. And none of the young guys are moving the needle on winning games.
Too much youth? OKC and Memphis have the youngest and 5th youngest teams in the league respectively. OKC is playing decent about to turn the corner while Memphis is a bona-fide contender.
The main problem for the Rockets is that they have two ball dominant, turnover prone combo guards in the back court. For the Rockets to get better they need to choose between Porter and Green. I wouldn’t have said this two years ago but I’d pick Porter at this point.
Rockets need to learn this type of model
Grizzlies (future draft picks)
Pelicans (future picks from bad team Lakers)
Nets and Clippers model is not realistic
Houston will have the youngest roster when they trade Eric Gordon. They need a coach
Houston are already overloaded at the 4 with Smith Jr Eason and KJ Martin all being starter level. Let alone Garuba who is playing multi positional D at a high level.
Short of moving Eason and Smith to the SF and moving Martin I can’t see why they’d go in for Collins. Same with Turner, Sengun has shown why most players in the league talk about him being “baby Jokic”, plus the possibility of landing the #1. Why look at Turner? Both are bad calls if true.
They need a pass first guard that don’t turn the ball over and a coach who can write plays to utilise Sengun and Greens strengths. Not ISO ball with no finish and basic PNR.
HOU is essentially an uncoached team of young guys who have no idea how to play a game to win (meaning no idea how to really play). I’ve assumed it was by design, and still do. The FO may be bad, but no group of professionals can be this bad by chance.
Anyway, whether they’re gaming the system or not, the league shouldn’t tolerate this nonsense much longer. Large portions of the best young talent coming into the league can’t continually be relegated to these post-college AAU camps so ineptly managed organizations can stockpile talent.
Sorry guys have to rant… Was thinking about Houston’s situation a lot, and it’s extremely similar to Cleveland.
They lost Lebron before 18/19 drafted Sexton and then Garland who were clearly bad fit together, then lucked out with a trade that got them Allen the drafted what they needed in Mobley and then made their contender trade this season with Mitchell.
They had 3 rebuild years drafted Mobley and made good trades to be a good team and up from year 3 onwards. Cleveland have done it very right(especially moving on from Sexton who was arguably the better of he and Garland before his injury).
The issue with Hou, is they’re in their 2nd official year of rebuild through two drafts. (20/21 started with Westbrook and harden and finished with Oladipo and Wall who they hoped would make them a PO or play in team but didn’t work. And lost for nothing but lucked out with #2 in 21)
they have made no trades to improve their team in 2 years and the coaching have not developed the team on LY after giving up their best player in Wood for next to nothing. This year is the most obvious tank I’ve ever seen, at the expense of truly talented young players. Year 3 is coming fast they need to make a statement if they don’t luck out in the draft, or it’s a big issue.
Jabari ain’t a difference-maker. Sad. Trading Eason and/or Martin will haunt the Rockets for many years. Rather trade Jabari while interest is highest.
My hope is for Rockets to get the 2nd pick in draft. Take Scoot Henderson. Trade Porter for future assets and get the show rolling. A “true” PG is what they need. Porter, for all his talent, is not it.
Green is an enigma. Very up and down. Does anyone know what to do with this guy? He’s got all-world potential but it’s not coming together for him. What gives?
I’d rather the first pick and get the prospect with the most potential since Lebron.
I suppose you’re right. But remember, olajuwon OR Jordan. Jordan..top 1 or 2 goat.