Houston Rockets Preseason Thread 2018

[barrebaby]

Decent read: excerpt on Rockets:

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/05/lebron-james-free-agency-rumors-finals-rockets-76ers-cavs-lakers

Houston Rockets: The Logical Option
There’s no better basketball option for LeBron than the team that already pushed the Warriors to their limit. Houston has the shooting, the playmaking, and the defensive versatility to give James his best team in years—maybe ever. Imagine a staggered rotation with two of LeBron, James Harden, and Chris Paul on the floor at all times. All three would have to sacrifice some measure of control, but in doing so could go full bore more often. James wouldn’t have to conserve energy out of worry for being his team’s only creator. Concerns over Harden wearing down over the course of a postseason would be alleviated. Paul’s minutes and workload could be managed even more carefully, hopefully leading to healthier ends. Houston wouldn’t even have to change its style, though it could; with LeBron comes the flexibility not only to play in a wide variety fo ways, but to dominate through them. As it stands, James is a terrifying isolation scorer, a pinpoint passer, and a certified switch-buster—a player so strong and so dynamic as to invalidate the defense of choice against the Rockets. The freedom to use any of three stars on either side of the pick-and-roll—and that’s without even considering the ascendant Clint Capela—would put every opponent into an impossible bind. Creating enough room for James would demand some creative problem solving on Houston’s part, but the result would be well worth the trouble. — Rob Mahoney

If he even sniffs going to the Warriors, I might be done with the NBA. I mean what's the point? Just give the trophy out opening night... Boston is the team I think may have the best shot at him as of now.

 

[rafabio]

Decent read: excerpt on Rockets:

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/05/lebron-james-free-agency-rumors-finals-rockets-76ers-cavs-lakers

Houston Rockets: The Logical Option
There’s no better basketball option for LeBron than the team that already pushed the Warriors to their limit. Houston has the shooting, the playmaking, and the defensive versatility to give James his best team in years—maybe ever. Imagine a staggered rotation with two of LeBron, James Harden, and Chris Paul on the floor at all times. All three would have to sacrifice some measure of control, but in doing so could go full bore more often. James wouldn’t have to conserve energy out of worry for being his team’s only creator. Concerns over Harden wearing down over the course of a postseason would be alleviated. Paul’s minutes and workload could be managed even more carefully, hopefully leading to healthier ends. Houston wouldn’t even have to change its style, though it could; with LeBron comes the flexibility not only to play in a wide variety fo ways, but to dominate through them. As it stands, James is a terrifying isolation scorer, a pinpoint passer, and a certified switch-buster—a player so strong and so dynamic as to invalidate the defense of choice against the Rockets. The freedom to use any of three stars on either side of the pick-and-roll—and that’s without even considering the ascendant Clint Capela—would put every opponent into an impossible bind. Creating enough room for James would demand some creative problem solving on Houston’s part, but the result would be well worth the trouble. — Rob Mahoney

If he even sniffs going to the Warriors, I might be done with the NBA. I mean what's the point? Just give the trophy out opening night... Boston is the team I think may have the best shot at him as of now.

76ers is definitely the long term option which is why I don't want him to sign there.

I think HOU is the best option for winning now (shout outs to CP3's hammy). Right now the objective should be just dethroning the Dubs. Anything else is a waste of time.

 

[barrebaby]

76ers is definitely the long term option which is why I don't want him to sign there.

I think HOU is the best option for winning now (shout outs to CP3's hammy). Right now the objective should be just dethroning the Dubs. Anything else is a waste of time.

With all the shenanigans going on in Philly I think he might have backed off of them a bit, he likes to be in control and I'm not sure he'll get that there. Spurs could be a player, if they dangle Leonard but would LMA & Poppavich be enough? I mean what else do the Spurs have? Lebron is not going to the Knicks or Lakers he'll be 40 to 50 by the time they are good. He's a self proclaimed Celtics fan, & Philly is a good choice, but for how long Lebron will be 34 next year when Boston gets better next year would philly be enough (they've got Hayward and Kyrie coming back, and damn near 10 draft picks to trade, Rockets just got to create cap space, or have Morey work his magic again. We all know where Lebron goes players will follow too.

 

[rafabio]

With all the shenanigans going on in Philly I think he might have backed off of them a bit, he likes to be in control and I'm not sure he'll get that there. Spurs could be a player, if they dangle Leonard but would LMA & Poppavich be enough? I mean what else do the Spurs have? Lebron is not going to the Knicks or Lakers he'll be 40 to 50 by the time they are good. He's a self proclaimed Celtics fan, & Philly is a good choice, but for how long Lebron will be 34 next year when Boston gets better next year would philly be enough (they've got Hayward and Kyrie coming back, and damn near 10 draft picks to trade, Rockets just got to create cap space, or have Morey work his magic again. We all know where Lebron goes players will follow too.

I'm a Spurs fan and I don't think we have enough (even with the addition of Bron) to beat the Dubs. Where would the 3 point shooting come from?

Our best chance was snuffed out by Zaza's crumby closeout on Klaw. Parker and Manu regressed since then. I wish it could work but I have serious doubts. HOU can beat them as is (shout outs to CP3's hammy), adding Bron would cement that.

 

[barrebaby]

To Philly, Boston, and Houston are the only choices to win now. Unless he wants to stay home and ride it out but after these finals I think hes all but gone.

Heat could be a player too but not any sort of an upgrade from Cleveland so I doubt that.

 

[Peep Game]

Cliffs of the article as far as the names go:

Kent Bazemore
Evan Turner
Nic Batum
Danaro Gallinari
Chandler Parsons
Carmelo Anthony

This guy can’t be serious with some of these names

 

[barrebaby]

Cliffs of the article as far as the names go:

Kent Bazemore
Evan Turner
Nic Batum
Danaro Gallinari
Chandler Parsons
Carmelo Anthony

This guy can’t be serious with some of these names

Or lebron opts in and forces this:

Pipe dream really, but the basketball gods owe us one or two... we love you EG, but we'd HAVE to let you go for a player of LBJ'S caliber.

 

[Retroballer]

Cliffs of the article as far as the names go:

Kent Bazemore
Evan Turner
Nic Batum
Danaro Gallinari
Chandler Parsons
Carmelo Anthony

This guy can’t be serious with some of these names

You really think we could get anyone better for Ryan Anderson? Those are realistic. I mean we almost signed bazemore before Eric Gordon

 

[pums]

Wouldn’t mind anderson for bazemore tbh

 

[barrebaby]

At one point early in the season. When Bobby Potis and and Nikola Mirotic were physically fighting at practice and trades were requested, there was a trade rumor (not sure how serious it was) centered around Anderson and Mirotic being discussed supposedly... I wonder who else would have been involved, and man I wish that deal would have happened Mirotic is the player Andetson should be for us...

 

[barrebaby]

Wouldn’t mind anderson for bazemore tbh

Injuries worry me a bit, (seems like dude is always hurt) I dont really follow the Hawks much, so maybe I'm wrong.... but I think I'd make that trade assuming that's all we can get, and Anderson is not part of some bigger scheme.

 

[Kinfolk]

The worst thing about the Rockets situation is that I don't see Paul settling for anything less than the max. With his injury history and age, Morey would be foolish to give Paul anything beyond 2 years.

If I'm Lebron, Chris Paul is my boy, but he's not the one I wanna end my career with talking about a whole bunch of miserable "Well if Chris didn't get hurt in games 5,6,7...I'd have 10 titles."

Bron isn't coming to Houston if Chris isn't taking a paycut.

Now if Chris takes a SIGNIFICANT paycut and enables the rockets to hold on to Ariza and somehow get rid of Anderson? Now we're talking...

 

[barrebaby]

The worst thing about the Rockets situation is that I don't see Paul settling for anything less than the max. With his injury history and age, Morey would be foolish to give Paul anything beyond 2 years.

If I'm Lebron, Chris Paul is my boy, but he's not the one I wanna end my career with talking about a whole bunch of miserable "Well if Chris didn't get hurt in games 5,6,7...I'd have 10 titles."

Bron isn't coming to Houston if Chris isn't taking a paycut.

Now if Chris takes a SIGNIFICANT paycut and enables the rockets to hold on to Ariza and somehow get rid of Anderson? Now we're talking...

A month or two ago I'd have said no way CP3 takes a paycut, but watching his emotions after being that close...along with him selling his home in L.A. I get the feeling he's seriously thinking about it now, or maybe signing a shorter term deal like 3yrs with player/team option on the 4th year. This guy does not want to retire as on of the best PG's to have never won a ring, much less even been to the finals. I love Ariza, but I think we might need to start looking for a replacement for him too or at least (no 5 year deals) also he's much less injury prone than Paul, but almost 34 years old do we really want to lock him down until he's 38 or 39 years old. That's what still stings with this season, it should have been our year...if not for a hamstring injury and 2 lousy halfs of basketball. Our window with our roster as its built us closing. I have faith in Morey...hes gonna make something big happen this summer or at least I sure hope he does.

Edit: Anderson should be a top priority, we've GOT to get rid of that guy.

 

[Kinfolk]

A month or two ago I'd have said no way CP3 takes a paycut, but watching his emotions after being that close...along with him selling his home in L.A. I get the feeling he's seriously thinking about it now, or maybe signing a shorter term deal like 3yrs with player/team option on the 4th year. This guy does not want to retire as on of the best PG's to have never won a ring, much less even been to the finals. I love Ariza, but I think we might need to start looking for a replacement for him too or at least (no 5 year deals) also he's much less injury prone than Paul, but almost 34 years old do we really want to lock him down until he's 38 or 39 years old. That's what still stings with this season, it should have been our year...if not for a hamstring injury and 2 lousy halfs of basketball. Our window with our roster as its built us closing. I have faith in Morey...hes gonna make something big happen this summer or at least I sure hope he does.

Edit: Anderson should be a top priority, we've GOT to get rid of that guy.

Surprisingly Ariza has spent his entire career on a series of short deals never paying more than 6 million. He's probably keepable somehow.

You guys are stuck with Anderson. Morey's first monumental screwup in a while.

And CP3 faught too hard in the Players Association meetings with the owners for his own interests... by that I mean, he would rather die than not be a beneficiary of the supermax deals that are being handed out. He doesn't deserve one, but he was the main guy on the front lines of getting the Supermax written into the CBA. This is also his last shot at a large contract.

 

[barrebaby]

Surprisingly Ariza has spent his entire career on a series of short deals never paying more than 6 million. He's probably keepable somehow.

You guys are stuck with Anderson. Morey's first monumental screwup in a while.

And CP3 faught too hard in the Players Association meetings with the owners for his own interests... by that I mean, he would rather die than not be a beneficiary of the supermax deals that are being handed out. He doesn't deserve one, but he was the main guy on the front lines of getting the Supermax written into the CBA. This is also his last shot at a large contract.

All very valid points, what scares me a bit with Ariza is he knows his career is winding down...and he may just be looking for that ONE last payday. I will say it's going to be an extremely wild and crazy offseason full of highs and lows.

This is one of the last things we want too: https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/08/houston-rockets-trevor-ariza-warriors-free-agency/

 

[Kinfolk]

All very valid points, what scares me a bit with Ariza is he knows his career is winding down...and he may just be looking for that ONE last payday. I will say it's going to be an extremely wild and crazy offseason full of highs and lows.

This is one of the last things we want too: https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/08/houston-rockets-trevor-ariza-warriors-free-agency/

Yikes. That would be brutal.

But I feel like Ariza is one of those savvy vets that is able to stay on a roster till he's 37. He thinks the game, coaches love him, players respect him, he's got a ring, played with Kobe...even Kobe was raving about his work ethic. Kobe never compliments anybody.

 

[barrebaby]

If only we could find a team extremely under the cap and terrible, where they could just absorb Anderson's contract for a minimum salary. Just in order to meet the league required minimum salary. That would open so many doors for us. If I'm not mistaken Rynos got 2 years left on his deal, it doesn't help us now... but he then becomes alot more traceable piece in his final year, because I'm sure some teams will be looking to unload bloated contacts to free up space. Atlanta seems like the most viable option, they're going nowhere for the next couple of years. They have the space to absorb him, problem is we have nothing to sweeten the deal for them IMO it's not worth getting rid of Capela, or Gordon just to dump Anderson....and our draft picks will be bottom of the barrel would they even be interested? It's a sucky situation, but things could be worse. I'm just ready for 7/1 to see where these pieces start falling.

Here's a breakdown of teams and their salaries:

https://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/249237/Projected-2018-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams

Team

Starting
Cap Space

Maximum
Cap Space

Projected
Cap Space

Atlanta

$ (3,787,914)

$ 40,610,530

$ 29,322,094

Boston

$ (35,719,157)

$ (6,976,010)

$ (35,719,157)

Brooklyn

$ (15,730,164)

$ 16,556,248

$ 14,218,938

Charlotte

$ (32,715,612)

$ (17,753,513)

$ (29,716,216)

Chicago

$ (9,765,633)

$ 41,402,842

$ 12,579,952

Cleveland

$ (58,188,242)

$ (3,862,674)

$ (58,188,242)

Dallas

$ (12,224,256)

$ 53,080,194

$ (5,481,866)

Denver

$ (36,467,735)

$ 12,896,699

$ (27,510,560)

Detroit

$ (27,567,999)

$ (13,468,17)

$ (27,567,999)

Golden State

$ (60,074,49)

$ (5,248,010)

$ (60,074,49)

Houston

$ (43,271,307)

$ 17,274,981

$ (43,271,307)

Indiana

$ (11,152,245)

$ 54,436,468

$ 32,800,518

LA Clippers

$ (53,100,880)

$ 36,937,244

$ (44,126,010)

LA Lakers

$ (33,532,883)

$ 59,071,792

$ 58,367,683

Memphis

$ (17,511,491)

$ (2,599,669)

$ (17,511,491)

Miami

$ (33,820,576)

$ (17,744,022)

$ (33,721,39)

Milwaukee

$ (32,535,467)

$ (5,528,192)

$ (32,535,467)

Minnesota

$ (37,976,910)

$ (14,354,23)

$ (32,427,710)

New Orleans

$ (34,673,717)

$ 4,052,822

$ (34,673,717)

New York

$ (21,151,115)

$ 25,125,815

$ (8,355,365)

Oklahoma City

$ (64,938,219)

$ 8,767,534

$ (57,516,359)

Orlando

$ (19,427,816)

$ 20,494,101

$ (19,427,816)

Philadelphia

$ (23,820,183)

$ 31,113,820

$ 22,853,313

Phoenix

$ (10,609,109)

$ 27,838,832

$ (10,609,109)

Portland

$ (42,659,741)

$ (12,781,270)

$ (42,659,741)

Sacramento

$ (11,130,973)

$ 53,316,783

$ 20,742,529

San Antonio

$ (46,506,533)

$ 18,432,451

$ (40,402,027)

Toronto

$ (43,194,987)

$ (27,407,343)

$ (43,194,987)

Utah

$ (28,695,05)

$ 21,698,077

$ (28,695,05)

Washington

$ (36,736,399)

$ (18,221,741)

$ (34,900,399)

Sorted by Starting Cap Space

Team

Starting
Cap Space

Atlanta

$ (3,787,914)

Chicago

$ (9,765,633)

Phoenix

$ (10,609,109)

Sacramento

$ (11,130,973)

Indiana

$ (11,152,245)

Dallas

$ (12,224,256)

Brooklyn

$ (15,730,164)

Memphis

$ (17,511,491)

Orlando

$ (19,427,816)

New York

$ (21,151,115)

Philadelphia

$ (23,820,183)

Detroit

$ (27,567,999)

Utah

$ (28,695,05)

Milwaukee

$ (32,535,467)

Charlotte

$ (32,715,612)

LA Lakers

$ (33,532,883)

Miami

$ (33,820,576)

New Orleans

$ (34,673,717)

Boston

$ (35,719,157)

Denver

$ (36,467,735)

Washington

$ (36,736,399)

Minnesota

$ (37,976,910)

Portland

$ (42,659,741)

Toronto

$ (43,194,987)

Houston

$ (43,271,307)

San Antonio

$ (46,506,533)

LA Clippers

$ (53,100,880)

Cleveland

$ (58,188,242)

Golden State

$ (60,074,49)

Oklahoma City

$ (64,938,219)

Sorted by Maximum Cap Space

Team

Maximum
Cap Space

LA Lakers

$ 59,071,792

Indiana

$ 54,436,468

Sacramento

$ 53,316,783

Dallas

$ 53,080,194

Chicago

$ 41,402,842

Atlanta

$ 40,610,530

LA Clippers

$ 36,937,244

Philadelphia

$ 31,113,820

Phoenix

$ 27,838,832

New York

$ 25,125,815

Utah

$ 21,698,077

Orlando

$ 20,494,101

San Antonio

$ 18,432,451

Houston

$ 17,274,981

Brooklyn

$ 16,556,248

Denver

$ 12,896,699

Oklahoma City

$ 8,767,534

New Orleans

$ 4,052,822

Memphis

$ (2,599,669)

Cleveland

$ (3,862,674)

Golden State

$ (5,248,010)

Milwaukee

$ (5,528,192)

Boston

$ (6,976,010)

Portland

$ (12,781,270)

Detroit

$ (13,468,17)

Minnesota

$ (14,354,23)

Miami

$ (17,744,022)

Charlotte

$ (17,753,513)

Washington

$ (18,221,741)

Toronto

$ (27,407,343)

Sorted by Projected Cap Space

Team

Projected
Cap Space

LA Lakers

$ 58,367,683

Indiana

$ 32,800,518

Atlanta

$ 29,322,094

Philadelphia

$ 22,853,313

Sacramento

$ 20,742,529

Brooklyn

$ 14,218,938

Chicago

$ 12,579,952

Dallas

$ (5,481,866)

New York

$ (8,355,365)

Phoenix

$ (10,609,109)

Memphis

$ (17,511,491)

Orlando

$ (19,427,816)

Denver

$ (27,510,560)

Detroit

$ (27,567,999)

Utah

$ (28,695,05)

Charlotte

$ (29,716,216)

Minnesota

$ (32,427,710)

Milwaukee

$ (32,535,467)

Miami

$ (33,721,39)

New Orleans

$ (34,673,717)

Washington

$ (34,900,399)

Boston

$ (35,719,157)

San Antonio

$ (40,402,027)

Portland

$ (42,659,741)

Toronto

$ (43,194,987)

Houston

$ (43,271,307)

LA Clippers

$ (44,126,010)

Oklahoma City

$ (57,516,359)

Cleveland

$ (58,188,242)

Golden State

$ (60,074,49)

 

[Peep Game]

Hope Ariza gets an 8 year deal here instead of signing with the Warriors. That would be so trash.

You really think we could get anyone better for Ryan Anderson? Those are realistic. I mean we almost signed bazemore before Eric Gordon

At this point no honestly, but my face grimaced reading that entire list Bazemore would be the only person I’d be interested in. This isn’t 2012, so Parsons and his even worse contract can go.

 

[Peep Game]

I’m sure this has been posted in some form or fashion, but wow

Who else is even on the roster after Clint/Harden/James and Anderson(yuck)?? I really haven’t been feeling any scenario putting PJ in there, but I really don’t want to entertain any of this until actual trades happen anyway

 

[barrebaby]

I’m sure this has been posted in some form or fashion, but wow

Who else is even on the roster after Clint/Harden/James and Anderson(yuck)?? I really haven’t been feeling any scenario putting PJ in there, but I really don’t want to entertain any of this until actual trades happen anyway

Kinda feel you, but where LeBron goes players follow chasing rings... I'd think green reups too.

I think we expected this:
https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-news-houston-prepared-to-pay-chris-paul-the-max/

I'm not sure what to make of this, thoughts? Fake news?.? Or just clickbait?
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/06/12/report-lebron-james-says-he-doesnt-like-houston-as-city/

 

[barrebaby]

Some Ryan Anderson trades that work cap wise.We dump him, to bad teams and they get worse and have a better chance at better draft picks. If I'm ni mistaken they're all under the cap to.

First teams projected cap figures:
https://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/249237/Projected-2018-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7068055
Now the fun:
Somewhat realistic unlikely though
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7068055
More realistic: bad teams get worse, to maybe get higher draft pick meet minimum salary projections, and Ryno is very tradable after this upcoming season. I'd rather find a way to get Jahlil Okafor or Nik Staukas, butI think they're either a RFA or a FA or its roo soon for them to be traded either way Lin and Russell and FA after upcoming season so we could stick with them or trade them as soon as we could:
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7068061
Most realistic: (but would Cuban trade with us us?)
We need another big Powell (wouldnt mind Noel either, but I think he's a FA) is young & serviceable
And Barea can shoot the 3 around 40% both are in the final years of their deals so we could keep them or trade as soon as we could:
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7068389

Idea: but unlikely, unless he pulls a Chris Paul, LeBron opts in, and says I only want to go to Houston:
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7068064

Play around and see what you guys can come up with I'd tou want:
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine
https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker

Some more decent reads:
https://spacecityscoop.com/2018/06/15/kawhi-leonard-trade-means-rockets/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...mes-fits-with-James-Harden-Chris-12992094.php

 

[hardens beard]

Just get him off the team, he doesn’t fit with the way the Rockets play defense.

 

[barrebaby]

Just get him off the team, he doesn’t fit with the way the Rockets play defense.

Or offense, or training, matter of fact I dont even think his jersey fits with team.

Has Paul Geoege showed he might have any interest coming here I've googled day and night and all I see is Lakers so....

 

[hardens beard]

Or offense or training matter of fact I dont even thin his hwesy fits with team

Has Paul Geoege showed he might have any interest coming here ibe googled day and night and all I see is Lakers so....

I don’t think OKC would work with the Rockets on a sign and trade and that’s the only path to get him.

 

[barrebaby]

I don’t think OKC would work with the Rockets on a sign and trade and that’s the only path to get him.

I'm so ready for 7/1 dominoes will start to fall. Hopefully quick.