The Rockets are acquiring Kevin Durant from the Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-rounders, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Heat were the other finalist for Durant, sources tell Charania.
According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link), who reported this morning that Phoenix was “very close” to trading Durant, the second-round selections the Suns will receive are the 59th pick in this year’s draft, two picks in 2026, Boston’s selection in 2030, and Houston’s pick in 2032.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, the blockbuster trade cannot be formally completed until July 6 due to the poison pill provision affecting Green’s rookie scale extension.
Durant, who turns 37 years old in September, has been on the trade block for months after Phoenix nearly sent him to Golden State prior to the February deadline, a move that reportedly fell apart after the former NBA MVP didn’t want to return to the Warriors, especially during the season. Four months later, he’ll be heading to Houston, one of three teams said to be on his wish list, along with San Antonio and Miami.
Although Durant will be entering his 19th NBA season this fall, he continues to perform at an All-NBA level. In 62 games for the Suns this past season, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 36.5 minutes per game, with an impressive shooting line of .527/.430/.839.
In Durant, Houston now has a star capable of creating his own shot and generating half-court offense, which was an issue for the team during its first-round playoff loss to Golden State this spring. While Green was Houston’s leading scorer during the regular season, he struggled in his first appearance on the postseason stage — he poured in 38 points in Game 2 but failed to score more than 12 points in any of the series’ other six games.
Still, Green is just 23 years old, so he has the potential to continue improving and expanding his game after averaging 20.1 points per contest on .422/.342/.799 shooting in his first four NBA seasons.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link), although Jabari Smith Jr. was among the young Rockets players the Suns were reportedly interested in, Houston was insistent on only doing a Durant trade if Green was the only member of its young core it gave up.
Phoenix now has a crowded shooting guard depth chart, with Green joining Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the roster, but Gambadoro tweets that there are no plans to flip Green to another team and that he’ll play alongside Booker in the Suns’ backcourt. There has been an expectation that Beal won’t return to the club next season, though his contract (which includes a no-trade clause) will make him difficult to move.
Besides Green, the Suns are also adding a solid defensive wing in Brooks and a lottery pick in this week’s draft, which will put them in position to add another promising young prospect to their core.
Durant will be on an expiring $54.7MM contract, so the Rockets will likely make an effort to extend his deal beyond 2025/26. As Marks tweets, the star forward will be eligible for a two-year extension worth roughly $122MM as of July 6. If he were to wait six months, his maximum extension would be worth a little more, though the difference would be minimal (approximately $2MM).
Green’s three-year, $105.3MM rookie scale extension will go into effect this July. That deal includes a third-year player option and a 10% trade kicker, though that bonus will likely have to be eliminated or amended in order to make this trade work, Marks notes.
Brooks, who is on a descending contract, is owed about $41.1MM in base salary over the next two seasons, with an additional $2MM in incentives ($1MM per year) for making the first round of the playoffs.
Because Houston achieved that feat this season and Phoenix didn’t, that bonus will change from “likely to be earned” to “unlikely” as a result of the trade, reducing Brooks’ 2025/26 cap hit by $1MM. That will be a key to making the trade legal for the Suns, who can’t take back more salary than they send out as long as they continue to operate over the second tax apron, Marks adds (via Twitter).
According to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter links), the Heat improved their offer for Durant in recent days and received consideration from the Suns, but their offer ultimately couldn’t compete with Houston’s. Jackson suggests Miami was unwilling to include multiple first-round picks and young players in its package, while Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) hears that the Heat’s unwillingness to include center Kel’el Ware was among the sticking points that led to Phoenix going in a different direction.
The Timberwolves were also involved in the Durant sweepstakes, but with no assurances from Durant that he actually wanted to be in Minnesota, they seemingly didn’t get all that close to making a deal, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
The Spurs, Raptors, and Clippers were among the other teams who were said to have interest in Durant before the Suns reached an agreement with the Rockets.
Luke Adams contributed to this story.
What a stupid trade for the Rockets.
Davey J has another handle …..
This just in ……….. Houston Texas.
It’s been reported there is someone dressed as “Thunder”. Warriors retired mascot. Running up down the tarmac at Busch airport. And won’t allow KD flight to Houston to land. Police are chasing him up and down air strip …. can hear him yelling …. No KD No KD. go to Warriors
No KD No KD …. go to Warriors .
Where is Davey J ……. right now lols
link to x.com
KD reaction ……. news of trade. Live
How. Kept Thompson, Whitmore, Smith jr, Eason. You a Davey J handle?
I agree, developing team with insane potential, have now traded for a ball hog injury prone 37 year old KD who has proven he’s not a leader. As a rockets fan watching them grow since Harden betrayal I’m frustrated with this trade.
What does this do to the rockets? There are 10+ players who will be better fits for this team who can be what they need and do more for the team. If this isn’t one of another blockbuster trade with all the other capital they have this off season, it’s the first dumb trade by Stone since taking position.
That’s not you again is it, lol.
@Nrg82 looking at KD’s live reaction at FanaticsFest he might be against it too lol.
But no I am definitely against it, as were nearly 70% of rockets fans on a poll yesterday. timeline he don’t fit, development of the young bucks he don’t fit etc. but I’m just a fan venting, it is what it is.
Development timeline, what? Always found that hilarious. Sengun, Thompson, and Smith Jr. have multiple different type timelines to come yet. Houston struggled to score when it mattered. KD still gets his in isolation as good as any other in the league.
Overreactions like this just tell me your age. Way attached to guys who could care less about you. Older wiser people wouldn’t even bother with fan sites letalone quote them as gospel. Fan page said it must be right. By your logic, Fred shouldn’t be on the team either. In his 30s, isn’t he? Timeline and all. Did you see what this did to the odds next season?
How do they? They’re all within 2 years of each other…. Timeline is how long a team can grow together and constantly compete. Adding a twilight player(no matter how good) makes no sense from a growth aspect it’s just throwing a lead ball guy into a very young core, who knows how long he’ll last with his injury record and age.
Yea KD improves the team from a scoring aspect.. which was definitely missing from the playoff run. But the issue in this team is the half court, do you see an aged KD taking over the team for years to come? It’s a quick scoring fix from what has been an excellent foundation.
“Overreaction” from a very young 33 year old. Clearly I’m immature and silly lol. When Houston are/were in the best position to swing for any player available…. Seems like a cop out going for him.
Fred was bought in as a locker room leader to control the offence short term, and build structure from a terrible Silas team using no PG for 2 years. Also at a time we were the worst team in the league, not on the verge of being competitive and coming of a good season. But no he dosent fit the timeline as a core player and I half expected a swing for a guard to replace him after his hot/cold year as the front court was set after extending Adams as the backup C. Fred is there to help grow the others more than anything. Have you ever known KD to do that? I see this move not helping Amen particularly based on fit.
I’m pretty sure it did the same for the odd to Suns when they mortgaged their future on him… and they had Booker and CP3. Glad he was cheap, but don’t like the fit or the trade, we’re all allowed opinions. I’d have been happier getting Bane, nowhere near the player but better fit. Again Opinions.
100% agree Beff. As a Spurs fan I love this trade for 2 reasons – first the Spurs did not introduce cancer to their young core and 2. A division rival gutted its future much as Phoenix did to get him last year.
Maybe he has one or two good years left in that body or maybe he plays 40 games next year but either way this trade will haunt the Rockets.
You make this trade for one reason – to win a championship – does anyone thinks this makes them better than OKC or Denver?
Surprised they got Brooks. Well done Stone
i knew they were getting rid of Brooks he is a bad influence on the youinger players. In teh playoffs Brooks minutes went down from all teh fouling he does and they played better without him on the floor. Great trade for Rockets because all it cost was 1 1st rounder 2 players that are not in their future and a bunch of 2nd rounders that will be late picks.
The fans need to follow me.
My volume prediction is 90% correct.
How many times have I predicted Rockets to acquire Durant?
Again, this morning
Your bragging about it makes a hard pass on following you. Several people outside of you have said the trade was a possibility. If you were Theo July one then you might have something to brag about.
Next Prediction
If Green does not want to play for Suns, (highly likely)
3 teams are likely to take him
Hornets
Wizards
Bulls
It won’t be Nets
What gives you this impression?
What leverage would he have anyway?
Wow one in two chance of being right and you guessed correctly
Every day I predict that we will see a period of light followed by darkness in the local area. Follow me!
Lol its been long stated by people with platform hes going there. When you have to ask for credit you don’t deserve it
arc89. Disagree about the Rockets not liking Brooks’ influence on the team.
Udoka loves Brooks. He brought him in to establish a culture of defense and toughness with the young players. It’s a success story.
I can’t stand Dillon Brooks, but I accept that he makes his team better.
Even the ones that like him dont really like him… Its like every 4th thing he does they too are like OMG Dillion you idiot… He has such small D compensation energy!
Brooks wasn’rt used as much in a few games against warriors in teh playoffs. Brooks is all about match ups.
I mean like half his flagrants are just idiotic wheres hes trying to show hes hard. Not surprised the Rockets did better when he got minimized in the series.
arc89, the numbers show the opposite. He was the Rockets most consistently played and 4th biggest contributor last year.
> Brooks is all about match ups.
Brooks started in all 75 games he dressed for and averaged 31.8 mpg.
> Brooks wasn’t used as much in a few games
> against Warriors in the playoffs.
Incorrect. Brooks started in all 7 games and averaged. 29.4 mpg. If not for foul trouble in game 2 and 7, that would be closer to 35 mpg. (He played only 19 mins in 2nd game because he got his 4th foul early in the 2nd half. He fouled out in game 7)
Other than game 5 he was a total zero though. He got hot from 3 in one game and extended the series. I guess he was effective at getting Currys hammy pulled…
Jalen Green will be major. Better than Kuminga right now. You are right . With Amen they don’t need him. Brooks is a solid core guy as a rotation piece. That pick is a great pick. Especially if they get Queen. Suns team building , chemistry sucks. But got great value here.
I look at Kuminga and Green being much alike in they are inconsistent in their offense. I haven’t watch Green enough to see how his defense is. Kuminga again inconsiatent on his defense. One game very good another not very good.
Yeah inconsistency is part of growing up. Kuminga a better defender. Trust me Jalen is major. This trade should wake him up. Bad thing it’s the Suns lol. Best three players all play SG.
As of 2:00 Sunday after KD trade goes down.
and 140 posts clocked in on trade …..
—- Davey J is in hiding —-
Somebody check up on him. Maybe even get him to the hospital lmao
Al as if that guy isn’t here. Just not under Davey J atm.
I hear ya lol .
Brooks is almost universally loved by his teammates. He is by no means a bad influence. Quite the opposite.
It was logical that Brooks would be included in any Durant deal (or had they turned to Jrue).
Great deal for Rockets! Basically gave up nothing. Guess the Suns did the best they could given Durant’s stance, but they are screwed for a while. May as well shop Booker and start completely over. Shows how fast fortunes rise and fall when you have incompetent leadership
I mean the 10th pick had some value lols
Yes, but that was the most logical lottery pick to be available… I said this the other day.. that the Rockets couldn’t even find enough opportunities for their last lottery pick, Reed Shepard… let alone guys like Eason, Whitmore, & JSJ. It made sense that they would be willing to deal that pick.
A good young player in Green and the 10th overall pick is basically nothing? Lol
@MC
Inefficient scorers like Jalen Green are a dime a dozen, not to mention he is highly overpaid. The 10th pick in an average draft like this one amounts to a role player unless you get lucky and most teams don’t. Rockets lost nothing. I’d argue the toughness of brooks is what they are going to miss the most
Love Jalen and that pick is major this year.
Two guys that she’s 35 points and a top 10 pick in a good draft isn’t “nothing”. The Tickets can survive without them but this shortens the Rockets windows to compete based around Durant. They must know that they can resign him since he’s in a 1 year deal.
stop using autofill and write the words…
They were the #2 Seed with Jalen Green instead of Durant.
They can get another Jalen Green tier player after KD retires quite easily. Just giving his minutes to Amen / Tari / Jabari is probably an upgrade on its own.
They held onto Whitmore and Shepard, so they’ll spread Green’s minutes around.
This was the logical package to match the $, but I just didn’t think Green was a fit in Phoenix with Booker and Beal already there.
Casor_Greener
I understand what you mean
Green is overpaid (negative asset)
10th pick is a positive asset to offset negative asset
Result: nothing
I see what the suns meant by having low offers… 1 first rounder? On top of Jalen green and Dillon brooks salary dump???
KD as good as he is will be 37 next season. On top of that he had leverage of where he decided to sign another contract.
Add it up, suns weren’t gonna get much more than they did barring a stupid trade like Luka or PG.
I wish I could see what other teams were offering if this is the best one.
A top 10 pick is worth 3 OKC/SAS firsts that will be 25th or worse. Its like 2 picks at 20 get you one at 10, 3 at 30 etc
Brooks makes sense for the suns. We know he has a shelf life, but they need some attitude and hustle. Green has his faults but he is still a very good 23 year old. Obviously the suns had very little leverage. I would say they did ok but for the fact that they put themselves in this position in the first place.
Even if Green is good his deal only covers 2 seasons. If he flops you overpay on the 3rd.
Given the circumstances, I don’t think this is a terrible return for Phoenix. Could see it turning into a 3 teamer with Green going somewhere else because the tandem of Booker Green Beal won’t work and I doubt anything is gonna happen on the market with Beal plus the NTC
Nah… make Beal sit through a full rebuild and trade everyone else for salary dumps plus picks.
Only issue is that the circumstances were of the suns own making. So I fell like they have to be criticized for that.
The Rockets are no better today than yesrerday
LOL
I agree.
Neither are the Suns.
Better in the regular season? Probably not. Better in the playoffs? Maybe but only if KD is healthy at that point.
Tough to say maybe when the Rockets were just bounced by a 7th seed.
That 7th seed won what 3 less games than them, and was a better team post deadline than them once they had Butler. I think its a bit of a straw man argument since most people had the playoff version of the Warriors as one of the 3 best teams in the West especially with theyre playoff experience.
@rockingryan – you know ball. Terrible fit. KD was a much better fit in GSW.
KD will avg 30 for Rockets …… and win at least one Chip. They did fine.
No 3rd team for Green? Over 150 million in SG
They will likely trade him later. It is not like the season starts tomorrow. They have time.
More likely to move Booker, not going to get good pieces to build around him from a Green trade. Green is young enough and not that good enough yet so he is fine handing around a rebuild.
Deal can’t be finalized until 7/6. They have a long while to redirect Green or Brooks if they want to. They’re basically all SG’s at the moment.
Level of Difficulty to trade Green 8
Level of Difficulty to trade Beal 10
If I were Green, I would not want to play for Suns.
I wanted to be traded
What is Sillivan? He said Green and Jabari and picks? That bot should never comment again on this site.
Pretty damned close.
Ironically, the 5 second round picks may be the most significant part of this deal. With the CBA, you can’t build a contender without them.
They’ll all be in the 50’s. Kind of picks you can buy if you want them. Meaningless.
Although only if your below the apron, which I dont think they will be without other moves. It also gives you something to attach besides firsts when trying to deal unwanted players.
> Kind of picks you can buy if you want them.
Not really. For many reasons.
First, if you’re short on 2nds (like the Suns or Lakers have been), if “you want them” to include in a trade during the season, you’re SOL because the other teams aren’t selling then.
Second, if you want one at draft time, there is no certainty of the availability of 2nd round picks. In 2024, 0 were sold. In 2023, 3 were sold. Also, it’s a crapshoot as to where an available pick falls. (31st? 60th?)
Third, as @Chapman references, below, there are CBA restrictions. For example, if you’re over the 2nd apron, you’re not allowed to buy a pick. Another example: for all teams, there’s a $6.5 limit on total cash that can be sent out in a year, including trades and draft pick purchases (which cost $3M each).
Basically, the only reliable way to acquire multiple 2RPs is via a trade, as the Suns did.
lol, literally no GM cares about second round picks. They throw them back and forth in every deal with no regard.
> lol, literally no GM cares about second round picks.
> They throw them back and forth in every deal with
> no regard.
Lol. Provably incorrect. Literally no GM agrees with you. Successful teams covet and profit from 2nd round picks. Forget the 2nd round stars like Nicola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, and Draymond.Green. heavy use of 2nd round picks enable championship rosters.
What do Andrew Nembhardt, Isaih Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams have in common? Hint: they were drafted in 2nd round using traded 2nd round picks.
Take a deeper look at OKC’s bench, the deepest and most productive in the NBA, for the benefits of managing 2nd round draft picks.
“Lol. Provably incorrect. Literally no GM agrees with you”
I love it when someone states something defiantly like this when they’re completely wrong. You don’t have a clue here, dude. It’s not just me saying it. *NBA GMs* disagree with you. They trade second rounders around like candy. They’re worthless. You can stockpile ten of them and maybe get one or two players out of it.
“What do Andrew Nembhardt, Isaih Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams have in common?”
First off, it’s Nembhard (there’s no ‘T’ at the end). Second, only him, Mitchell, and Williams were drafted by the teams that they’re currently on. Third, if Mitchell and Williams (and maybe even Joe) weren’t surrounded by star-level talent, you would have no idea who they were. They’re deep bench players right now. Seriously, Ajay Mitchell is your argument for second rounders being worth something? Fourth, a guy like Hartenstein has played for six teams, traded multiple times, and OKC signed him as a UFA this past offseason. There is absolutely ZERO relevance to him being a second round pick. What are you even arguing here? Because they signed Hartenstein as a free agent, second round picks are worth something? They’re not.
“Successful teams covet and profit from 2nd round picks.”
No, no, no, and no, they don’t. You looked at the two remaining teams in the Finals and only came up with Nembhard and two deep bench players that were drafted in the second round by the team they’re currently on. Your own point proves you wrong. Let’s look at the top teams in the league from last year:
The Celtics: zero second rounders in their top ten players in scoring.
Cavs: Georges Niang is their best second round player.
Rockets: Dillon Brooks was their only decent second rounder on the roster
Lakers: Max Christie was their only second rounder with regular playing time, and they traded him
Nuggets: Jokic, cool. Their next best second rounder is Jalen Pickett (4.1 ppg)
TWolves: Jaylen Clark (4.1 ppg; sensing a pattern?) is their best second rounder
The only team with multiple second rounders who have any impact is the Knicks (Mitch, Deuce, Brunson) and Brunson was signed as a FA. Teams *do not* value second rounders. Get a clue.
All of those picks will be in the G-League for the majority of their careers.
Trading 2nd round picks is about quantity, not quality.
>!All of those picks will be in the G-League for the
> majority of their careers.
I mentioned 9 second round picks. Not 1 of them has spent most of a season in the G-League.
Obviously, 1st rounders are more likely to succeed than 2nd rounders. The point I’m making is that folks aren’t recognizing how critical having 2nd round picks is to success. They’re a different “asset class”.
The Warriors are the only team who knows how to draft in the second round, in fact they are better at the 2nd round than the 1st.
At Davey….not a warriors thread. Jokic, Manu just to name a few, say hello.
It all depends on who’s picking. Top 10 picks in second rd are valuable contract wise. And you might want look up all second rd picks who became starters. That #10 is very valuable.
If they are end of second round draft picks which most likely be if they are Houston picks those a a crap shoot in somebody over looked.
As a Rockets fan, not too thrilled with what they gave up, but it will be definitely an interesting year or two, and I look forward to seeing what happens. Just hope KD stays healthy.
Wow i must say great trade for Rockets. Only 1 1st rounders and a bunch of late 2nd round picks. 2 players that doesn’t look like part of teh future plans.
Because KD has maybe 2 years left. He wasn’t going to get them 4 1st. He is older and gets hurt every season.
No because Rockets gave up pieces that could part with that doesn’t hurt the team in the long run or even in teh short run. They had players to take the place of Green and Brooks.
Solid return. The 2nd rounders are worthless in todays game but Green, Brooks, and the 10th pick are good considering Durant is only signed for 1 season and probably doesnt move the needle much for Houston.
“The 2nd rounders are worthless in todays game”
Correct and hilarious to see this two posts down from Aristotle declaring that you can’t build a contender without them.
>. The 2nd rounders are worthless in todays game
Quite the opposite, they’ve never been more important.
The CBA leads to a greater proportion of a team’s payroll going to a smaller number of players. The best teams are investing more in identifying and developing 2nd round picks because there is proportionally less $$ available for the rest of the roster.
some of the posters are a couple years behind on team building.
Can’t wait to see KD bark at Udoka on the sidelines
Brooks has one foot out of the nba door
Nah I think he was actually the Rockets biggest loss
Rockets better hope KD stays healthy. If not, they just got a lot worse.
KD turning into another journeymen…. He should have never left GS.
Sheesh, I can’t believe they gave up Jalen Green. KD may well help Houston win a title in the next few yrs but this is a HUGE W for Phoenix
Unless Green can get consistent it is not a win. Can’t get single digits in majority of the playoff games. Looking at the current Suns roster they won’t make the playoffs so that isn’t something to worry about yet. KD is 37 he can’t carry the load so I don’t see a title unless Rockets make some more moves.
It’s near impossible for me to talk basketball with yall. I mean if yall can’t recognize why a team would want a KD or a Jalen Green it’s like where do I even begin to try to find common ground with you lol it’s like y’all are purposefully bad at being basketball fans.
Jalen Green is obv 1 of the best young guards in the game. Getting a guy like him at age 22/23 or however old he is is the type of thing that NBA gms dream of.
Dude he isnt even one of the 10 best guards under 25. Like Im sorry he has potential, but he is an inconsistent scorer, with a mediocre 3PT, thats terrible on defense. He is young and has potential, but has already been in the league a while and this may be mostly what you get.
Like I dont think he goes in the top 7 of a redraft of his draft, and he was a clear top 3 in that draft, so I dont know how you look at him as anything but at least somewhat disappointing.
He may eventually figure it all out eventually, but inefficient scorers that suck on defense just arent nearly as good as the PPG would lead you to think. He is basically Jordan Poole with more upside.
Smh bro it’s clear that you are letting personal dislike of the guy cloud your judgement of his game. Do me (& yourself) a big favor and try to watch Green with a more clinical, less emotional eye. I’m gonna take a wild guess & say you prob like Austin Reaves’ game. Whenever watching Green playing just act like it’s Reaves. As a youngster I literally did this with Kobe & JR Rider bc I was accused of hating on Kobe & I didn’t like that feeling of feeling like a hater. Mind boggling to me that y’all don’t seem to mind it lol. But yea try to be truthful with yourself whenever you watch him play again. Try to watch as a coach/scout and less as a fan, just for the next few times you see Jalen Green play.
He is a .42/.34/.79 SG that sucks on defense. I get that he makes some super cool highlight plays, mostly dunks, but he is a poor shooting inefficient bad defender! He also makes real money now, like literally double Austin Reaves.
I have nothing against Green. I just wont pretend he is a winning player until he plays like one. Maybe stop basing your opinions on youtube dunks and look at any sites that have stats…
I like Kuminga and his upside too, but that doesnt cloud the fact he is a selfish player thats not good from 3 who defends way worse than his physical attributes say he should.
Stats tell part of the story & Jalen Green has excellent stats that clearly back up the fact that he’s 1 of the best young guards in the world rn. But this ain’t a math bowl, this is basketball. 1st time I ever saw this kid play it was extremely obv that he was a special basketball player. I feel like Jalen Green’s talent should be fairly obv to even the most novice of spectators. Much like every single person who’s ever played the game he’s not perfect. But even his weaknesses are pretty strong tbh. You keep saying he’s a bad defender lol I mean that’s a bit of a reach. He’s a better defender than most big time scoring guards. Overall tho whether you realize it or not you (absolutely fascinating that you don’t realize it) clearly have a deep seated bias towards not just this guy but guys like him in general. A lil introspection can lead to personal growth I promise.
In this NBA YOU HAVE TO SHOOT FROM 3 IF YOUR A 1-2! figure it out man. You cant be his size on defense and not be above avg on the other end. He is a shooting guard THAT SUCKS AT SHOOTING!
GPII cant shoot, but was a huge part of winning. This dude isnt GPII. Like you liking him doesnt change the fact he is a mediocre player up to this point of his career. He is young enough that that can change, but he has not been a good player so far, period!
Jalen Green who was #11 in the NBA this yr in 3pt fgm sucks at shooting? 22yo leading scorer for the #2seed in the West isn’t a good basketball player? Lol bro take a few steps back, deep breath & just think about what you’re saying.
11th in makes 8th in attempts. Hes a chucker baby!
SGA ………. watch basketball please.
Green last yr at 22 yrs old. …….
Shot .813% FT, .505% eFG, .482% 2pt FG, .
.354% 3pt FG …. if that sucks. Then you need to find another sport. Nothing worse than hating on young talent imo. Truth is he is better than that. Next kevel stats are all star numbers
He is inconsistent. Thats what you are at 22.
Just give him 3 yrs before you judge him.
Dude, you have a years-long history of bad takes on this site. Many of your comments and predictions have aged poorly. Perhaps it is YOU that is a purposefully bad basketball fan?
Someone clearly did not watch Houston in the playoffs and only watched Game 2.
For reals his contract was under water with how bad he sucked in that series.
His career didn’t start & end with that series
No it started with him as the #2 pick ahead of the reigning defensive player of the year, and is continuing with him as salary matching his team didnt need after he stunk. This all after he wildly underperformed his draft pedigree.
Lol ok so you might be a lost cause
Jalen has many yrs yet to prove his worth. Haters don’t care about that. They just love hating on 20-24 yr olds. And their contracts.He’s Pacer fan supposedly. I’m sure he hated on Nesmith when he was on Celtics too……
Lol you took that personally huh? I never seen anything you’ve said abt my comments/predictions in the moment. If you disagree with me so much feel free to educate me whenever you’re right & I’m wrong.
Many are saying they’ll try to trade Green. Getting the 10th pick may end up being a W though.
I definitely wouldn’t trade him. He’s pretty clearly a beast. Him & Book would form 1 of the top backcourts in the league for the next 5yrs. Dillon is the perfect complement to them at the 3 as well.
Except your perfect backcourt is 2 SG and no primary…
My perfect backcourt is Jalen Green & Dyson Daniels.. im crossing fingers & hoping Onsi can pull that off somehow & send Trae to Phoenix
What strain are you smoking?
Green’s not staying in PHX. I bet he ends up on Nets or Wiz or somewhere, basically for more picks (so they can try to dump Beal) and some salary relief. Suns trying to reset and quickly rebuild around Book, who is a better version of Green and plays same position. Beal and Brooks play same position too.
I would def much rather have a bonafide 22yo star guard than a bunch of future picks. Only reason picks are valuable is bc they have potential to possibly turn into a star player. Better to just have the star player instead of waiting 3-5yrs on a pick to convey then wait more yrs for the prospect to develop. Jalen Green is an all-star level guy, durable, can score at all 3 levels plus get to the line, he’s efficient, productive, exciting, he’s a dog, his teammates love him, he’s versatile enough to play the 1. There’s just a lot to like there. Book & Jalen are both scoring guards by nature but both are definitely versatile enough to play together. For a team as thirsty for young talent as Phoenix it would be extremely weird and self-destructive for them to give away a great young talent like Jalen Green.
And Brad Beal & Dillon Brooks clearly don’t play same position
Nobody but you thinks this about Green… The talk after the playoffs by people that know what theyre talking about, werent sure you wouldnt have to attach picks to trade a 35M SG that makes 34% from 3.
Like you get it right, he is a score first guard thats a below avg 3pt shooter at any position? He has never once had a D rating better than his O rating. I meant he is improving but -3 this year -8 the yer before -23 the year before. Never once had a avg 3pt season in 4…
Well, I don’t think Green is a failure or a negative contract. He still has a lot to prove, but he is a player many GMs would love to have on their teams. Captain Sankara is not wrong there.
To be honest, when reading comments here, it looks like there are only about 30-50 players in the league who are worth what they are making, the rest are all busts and need to have picks attached to them to have them moved.
“Green had a horrible playoff series, who would want to take him!? Houston will need to attach a pick!”
“Porzingis barely plays! Holiday old man one of the worst contracts in the NBA! And have you seen the Celtics books, they are in for a disaster! They need to sweeten the deals to move them on!”
“How is FVV making 44m next year!? that’s superstar money! What a horrible contract!”
“KCP what a disaster for Orlando one of the picks in the deal with Memphis was for sure to move him on!!”
“Zion what a waste, Pelicans need to move on, if he’s not traded before the deadline, they will need to give picks for him to be taken off their hands!”
Should I continue? That is literally stuff you read every day, and, what is very unfortunate, even on this forum. For some reason, it looks like the people are getting satisfaction for identifying “the worst contract in the league” and waste no time proclaiming “his team will need to attach picks to move him on”.
Lol Jalen Green has been top2 in his class ever since he was like 15. He got picked #2 in the draft. He’s been a NBA starter since he got in the league, helped his team get better every yr, been a big time scorer from the jump, upped his efficiency every yr, led his team in scoring this season, 1 of the best finishers at the rim for a guard. The boy has like 780 made treys in his career before age 23 & you say he’s a below average 3pt shooter smh. Jalen Green is a historically great 3pt shooter lol he’s gonna be in the record books as literally one of the greatest shooters ever. Quit being such a hater jeez smh
Cade, Mobely, Barnes, Suggs, Wagner, Sengun, Murphy III, Johnson, Giddy all better players than him right now from his draft class. He is the 12th player in the class by Vorp narrowly edging out Kuminga in waaayyyy more min.
He is a career 34% 3PT shooter 36% is league avg. How is he a historically great 3Pt shooter when he is 2 points below league avg at a position that is 37% avg and the best shooting position of the 5?
Counting stats just mean he debut at a young age and got to chuck up a ton of usage despite not performing well enough to deserve it. So awesome that a below avg shooter takes sooooo many shots. Thats how his PPG is high.
It’s near impossible for me to talk basketball with yall. I mean if yall can’t recognize why a team would want a KD or a Jalen Green it’s like where do I even begin to try to find common ground with you lol it’s like y’all are purposefully bad at being basketball fans.
Jalen Green is obv 1 of the best young guards in the game. Getting a guy like him at age 22/23 or however old he is is the type of thing that NBA gms dream of.
If KD helps them win a title in the next couple of years then it doesn’t matter what Green does in the future.
For Houston it won’t matter. Houston’s focused on their team & Phoenix will also be focused on theirs. Green is gonna be a perennial all-star but KD is also gonna help Houston
Amen bro, he will be as good. 2way serious talent. And more team oriented. I’m a big Jalen guy. Suns got great value. Good for them. That 10th pick is great for them. I know we agree on that …… unfortunately that probably means they take the big. Hawks need lol.
Hawks already got the best young big in the East (other than Mobley). Unless DQueen is available, Im looking for us to get a wing like McNeeley/Essengue/Coward at 13 then get a big like Hansen Yang at 22… link to m.youtube.com
PG VanVleet
SG Amen Thompson
SF KD
PF Jabari Smith Jr./Tari Eason
C Sengun
I rly don’t like the fit on this team at all it’s a really ugly fit
That’s a very competitive starting 5.
Guessing it may be more Sengun at PF Adams at C and just no shooting at all…
I said it a million times, the best fits are Jimmy Butler in PHO and KD on GSW.
You got it right.
They just replaced one greatest scorers ever. For an inconsistent scorere with a great future. Rockets are better. Amen will level up man. Believe in him
> I rly don’t like the fit on this team at all it’s a really ugly
> fit
Defensively, absolutely.
Amen the only w Iing defender. They can’t defend the 3 point shot. Very vulnerable to the PnR.
I knew Brooks would have had to be included. Can suns get rid of Beal now?
They don’t have teh draft picks available to trade Beal. Best thing they could do is pay him off.
Its not even the picks. Beal doesnt want to go to anything but a contender, and no contender wants his deal. Its either keep him until the season after next where maybe you convince him to leave and someone gives you a little something for him mid season on an expiring, or you stretch his contract and cut him. That NTC he has means no amount of picks can get him off the roster.
I don’t see any team wanting to take on that big of a contract is why you would need to attach draft picks for somebody to take him. With the NTC he is staying with teh Suns until the contract expires. Its dead money right now.
Its a true catch 22 where the only teams he would waive it to go to would never want him lols.
I would take him for Kyrie ….
Beal plus a future pick ….
Ask Beal. He hold the cards (i.e. the no trade clause)
Thats what they need ……
Not till next yr when he is an expiring contract.
As a Rockets fan this move just lost me. I hope this move bites you where the Sun does not shine. Cancelling my season tickets for me for the next 3 years. I hope Rockets fall flat on their face with this move.
Translation: “I’m not really a Rockets fan.”
Right …….
I must ask why do you feel its a bad trade?
Probably b/c Jalen Green can score, and he thinks thats all basketball is
Durant hasn’t been on a good team in years, and that’s no accident. He’s constantly hurt, plays no D anymore (used to be a big strength), and is basically just a shooter who demands to be the center of the attack. Watch, this won’t make them better at all. He’s not their kind of player and the fit won’t be there.
27 consecutive missed 3’s in a clutch win or go home game would have ended my friendship with the Rockets, but that’s just me.
Authentic Houston sports fans have learned to blithely embrace incompetence and abject failure.
Cmon, the Astros were competent…at cheating!!
Davey, what did Houston do to hurt you?
Wolves couldn’t beat that offer?
Didn’t want to since he didn’t wanna play there.
Phoenix wanted McDaniels…. I wouldn’t let him go either.
Apparently they offered Gobert, DiVincenzo, and their first rounder. So maybe better players but worse pick than what they got from Houston, and they got players that are easier fits because Rudy is hard to build around.
Booker getting moved, no damn way him and Green can play together.
More likely that Green gets moved.
Why can’t Green be moved?
Nobody wants him.
Teaming Jalen Green with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is certainly a choice
Houston was the team I expected to get him in a trade, but I thought they would have to give up at least 1 of Whitemore and Jabari Smith…Reed Sheppard stepped in as a scoring/spacing guard for them now as well
Amazing trade for Houston
Phoenix is probably far from done though; they’re going to probably flip a lot of their roster, so its hard to evaluate them until direction is more obvious, b/c they’re going to have a lot of moving parts before their final roster. Off the top of my head Oso Ighodaro is someone I would keep, and 1 of Booker/Green/Beal, so we’ll see how that goes b/c 1 of them is a lot more difficult to move, before considering his no trade clause
Not sure what deal the Heat could have realistically made as a 2 team deal. They had much better chance there last year or the year before, or even when they traded Jimmy. Even for the expiring, I didn’t see them lining up, though I guess Phoenix didn’t necessarily care about fit, having traded for Green
…I missed the 1st rounder inclusion, so that obvipusly helps significantly for Phoenix, and their asset management..so again, they have a lot left to do
Interesting to see if he signs a contract in Houston.
For Houston, moving off Dillon Brooks opens a starting spot and PT for all 3 of Smith (I assume will the starter), Whitmore, or Eason… which had to be done to retain them.
Rockets are much improved offensively, but this is no longer a good defensive team. Brooks will be missed. Amen Thompson is a great defender, but the other 4 starters — FVV, KD, Sengun, and Jabari — present a lot of holes.
Whitemore, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Eason (even though he fouls), KD, are all great defenders, and Sheppard is a better defender than Green…they also still have Aaron Holiday on their bench as a defender that can catch and shoot (cant remember if he has 1 year left or is a FA)
Jabbari Smith is an above average defensive player. KD has been a good defender until whatever happened in PHX this year. Regardless, he is a big upgrade over Brooks as an overall player and he allows the other guys, especially Sengun, to not be forced into a primary scorer role that they are not suited for.
I think KDs defensive decline is age related and wont reverse at this point.
L take from the other half of the clown duo of Hoopsrumors and of the Warriors fanbase.
@aristotle
Houston is a good defensive team because of the system they have and not because of one individual player. Maybe stick your “expert” nose to Warriors takes with your other half (Davey J). You’re just here punching holes on other players but once they join the Dubs, you start singing them praises. Pick a side and stay on that side.
No they were good because of Amen primarily, but Steven Adams says hello as well.
So wait Beal, Green, Book at SG?????? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Nico where ya at???? I found a worse GM
1. The Suns could move Green if they want. No one said they were done.
2. Beal is actually a good facilitator and can play PG if necessary.
3. They got Brooks and the 10th pick. Not a fan of Brooks and his attitude, but a solid defender who can be effective off the bench.
Also, Grayson Allen. 🤷🏻♂️
Named Matt Ishbia!
Great deal for the Suns.
The Suns now have a entire team of SGs and SFs, who are 6’4″ to 6’6″- Booker, Beal, Brooks, Green, O’Neale, Dunn, Allen, Micic and Martin. I get that some of those will play as PGs, but their lack of bigs is glaring. And they are still over the second apron.
Somehow I think other trades will be coming soon.
Haha. 🤣 🤣🤣This has been their problem for the last two seasons. Failed to fix it AGAIN. We will see what happens.
Yes , Suns need BIGS, Houston looks formidable, deep team… will be in the mix in the West….
So the trade that everyone knew was going to be the trade ends up being the trade? Only thing in there that surprised me is the 5 seconds.
Could’ve also seen Whitmore being included instead depending on how the Suns viewed Green’s (negative) contract and/or #10 in this particular draft. Not saying it was likely, just possible. But yeah, the core structure isn’t surprising.
Yea same here. Thought they’d get a little more, but in the end PHX didn’t have the bargaining power. If they did they could’ve at least turned those terrible late 2nds into either: Eason/Whitmore or a 1st (either PHX or HOU) and one or two of the late 2nds
The only way to justify not getting more 1st rounders is if they can flip Green for a package players on rookie contracts or 1st round picks. Suns are far away from competing this or makes zero sense to keep Brooks. both players are relatively cheap enough to flip for assets down the road and get salary relief.
I woulda kept green, brooks, picks if im houston
What’s going on with Pat Riley lately? I didn’t think he’d let KD slip through his fingers again. Riles, it’s time to retire.
For sure. Been cooked in the Dame trade, the butler debacle and now this. But he changed the heat from a nothing franchise into one of the premier destinations. No one there is going to tell him to hang up the spurs. He is going to have to get there himself.
Brooks and Green are trash can negative assets. 5 second round picks so Suns can have an amazing D-league team, go Suns.
Durant for a mid-level lotto. How embarrassing.
I wonder how many second rounders they’d offer for you.
I could see Brooks and Green both being moved again, Green will not want to sit behind Booker, what I mean is Green was mentioned first with the Rockets, now he is sitting second behind Booker. As far as Brooks goes, he will wear out his welcome eventually he did in Memphis and now with Houston.
Jalen averaged 21 points a game last season and is making 33 million next season. He’s not coming off the bench. They are either going to try and play him with Booker, which will be an absolute failure or move him.
Beal is an expiring contract in 26-27. Green is the future here. I guess they do it for one year. Beal can then be moved. If Green has a big year. He could be moved for the right good value.
Talk about Houston getting fleeced. I need their GM and the idiot in Dallas in my fantasy leagues. We’ve reached the point where all of these people have to be high and drunk while watching the hub.
Unfortunately the owner backed them into a corner. Can’t rebuild because they gave up all their assets, made the roster so terribly fitting that KD is the one guy they could and absolutely had to trade, waiting to trade him until now knowing he will demand being extended to age 39 on a max, and another year deeper into second apron concerns is a tough pill to swallow. Had they traded him a full or even half season earlier I think they easily do better.
> Whitemore, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, Eason
> (even though he fouls), KD, are all great defenders,
> and Sheppard is a better defender than Green
Amen is an exceptional defender and Eason is very good. But the rest is incorrect. The main thing you’re missing is how much the Rockets lose in on-ball and wing defenders by trading away 2 of their 3 wing defenders for an aging interior defender.
1. Whitmore is an under-average defender at this time. Athleticism on its own doesn’t make up a lack of positional awareness and bad mistakes.
2. Sheppard is too small to defend any position other than PG. He’s not “better than Green” in that sense. Green was quick and long enough to defend big wings.
3. Jabari is an average, not “great”, interior defender, and can’t defend wings. He’s not a defensive replacement for Dillon Brooks.
4. KD is absolutely not a “great defender” at this stage of his career. KD was a primary reason for Phoenix’s bad defense. He’ll give you some rim protection and IQ as a help defender, but otherwise he needs to be protected defensively.
I believe the Rockets will move Amen Thompson to the 2 from the 4 because he’s the only guy in the rotation who can defend athletic wings. But I don’t think a front line of Durant, Smith, Alperen, and Asams matches up well against teams with outside shooting multiple ballhandlers.
Maybe Ime can work his defensive magic, but there’s a LOT of work to do.
Who’s the best prospect for the Suns @ no 10?
Queen …..
So much for the monster haul. It was always clear the Suns didn’t have a whole lot of leverage here. #10 in a thought-to-be weaker draft class in that range on the board, an expensive young player who has potential but is a clear negative contract right now, and a solid role player who you don’t really trust in the playoffs due to his poor decision making and shot selection. At least they recoup all the 2nds they threw away.
Wonder if this means they already have something they like lined up for Green because I don’t see how you do this deal without that unless the plan is to go into full blown rebuild mode which I doubt happens.
Even with KD’s known negatives, I’m surprised the Suns couldn’t squeeze out a bit more than this. We’ll have to see the follow up deals to fully judge this.
This is what happens when the owner hires his fraternity to be GM. Even if they weren’t able to get Jabari smith jr a competent front office would have gotten Cam Whitmore thrown in somehow.
Yeah, Im surprised they couldn’t get him instead of the five 2nds or Brooks + the five 2nds. Maybe they value the flexibility that comes with those picks more but it remains to be seen if this new front office can use them effectively. And I have my doubts for the same reason you do.
As long as Matt Ishbia is heavily involved in the running of this organization they are going to be a joke. He is the worst thing to happen to the suns in their history and I’m going all the way back to them losing the coin flip for Kareem. The incompetence of this owner and front office is astounding. Unfortunately there is a very real chance next offseason we will be underwhelmed by the return for Devin Booker after he ask to leave.
It’s been crazy seeing some Rockets fans on reddit try to cope by saying “At least he is passionate and spends money”. That’s as desperate as desperate gets.
Sure, maybe in a half dozen years to a decade, on the very big if he’s willing to toss his ego aside while embracing humility as a learned lesson from years of failure, he could become a better owner. But until then he’s a guaranteed disaster.
That’s too much for 37yr old KD. Considering he went to Texas U. I get it. I would have gave a future pick. That 10th pick is major for Suns. Only Beal, Booker, Green all best positions is SG…….. Suns😛
Value wise Suns did great ……
Where is the FankenStein ????
Do you see what value looks like lol …….. maybe the Knicks will go after Kerr ….. Davey J 😳😳
KD takes Brooks starting spot. You do know Rockets are loaded. I just can’t believe they gave up this yrs pick.
KD, Smith Jr, Sengun, Thompson, JVV …..
Can go small ball with Eason instead of Smith .
Rockets just replaced a 20 pt scorer. With a longer more efficient 27 pt scorer. They are definitely a contender. I really like Jalen. I also like Amen a lot.
Great trade for both teams……
If only Suns can move Beal ???
Sun’s should tank next year and get rewarded with a #1 pick in the lottery as long as they miss the playoffs like Dallas did.
So you want the Wizards picking first????
I was more meaning try and justify the trade as a win, get to or just miss the play in, and then get gifted #1 like Dallas. Washington shouldn’t have fallen as far as they did and should have a top 3 pick at least IMO.
If the Suns tanked into the first pick Washington would make it. They control the Suns pick next year.
His point is that WSH would get PHX’s first round pick if its #1. Even Silver’s ping pong balls can’t roll PHX for at least 6 years.
NBA trades are the most confusing with so many protections and picks being traded up to 7 years ahead of time it’s hard to pay attention as close as I did when i was younger before working full time. This trade is even worse then unless Green can magically start shooting 5-10% better from everywhere.
With PHX they basically dont have their own pick for forever
I don’t know that I would have made this trade were I the Rockets. I know Green wasn’t good in the playoffs outside of Game 2 but he’s only 23. Lots of room and time to improve. Plus a tough guy in Brooks and the tenth pick??? That’s a lot for a 37 year old.
HOU did well get KD without giving up both the 10th pick and Smith in the deal. Those were the 2 main assets in play (not Green). But KD only makes sense as an acquisition for the present, and right now, if they had to take the floor, its hard to say that they’ve improved at all. Of course, all of it can be fixed by another trade or two, focusing on guards. They still have a bunch of FRPs, and a crowded young F situation, so the material is there to get it done. They should try to avoid anyone else in their mid-30’s.
PHX did pretty good getting that 10th pick. But now they REALLY have a lot of work to do. The roster right now is really just SGs and wings. They’re also still 12 mm over the 2nd apron. So, they can’t do normal deals just yet.
FWIW, the return they get for Green (who they’ll trade if they can) might underwhelm some posting here.
If they can find a partner fir green. That has the Mle available they could possibly ask the team to take in Royce as part of a 2 part deal to duck apron 2
Problem being Green just doesn’t have much surplus value ( if any ) and Royce isn’t exactly a bargain either
With everyobe zipping the purse strings tight it’s a lot to ask – Probably needs a partmer like Cha or Wash to dance with. Here…. Someone with a bunch of cash and desire to take a gamble
WSH took Poole, worse IMO, so who knows? But absent such a white knight, PHX will do well if they can get below the 2nd apron without giving up at least one of their late FRPs over the next 6 years.
Green’s contract structure doesn’t help. The question they’d have to ask is if they win the gamble, can they (sanely) keep the winnings?
So I’m assuming Hou has to still send out a salary to a 3rd team here before completion ??
Most likely Jeenathan Willams ….. they took in over 250k more and are over first apron ….
Rory …Luke ..????
They could send out one small contract to a third team. Don’t necessarily have to though, since there’s a very good chance they’ll be below the first apron by July 6 (will depend in large part on what happens with the VanVleet contract, as well as Holiday/Landale).
Agh yes true forgot about the Van Fleet lower number that’s about to come in for my math
Thanks for reply!!
Yeah my guess is that they decline and extend VV on a 3-4 year deal that pays him less this season. The team option is awesome since you can decline and extend as opposed to if a player declines.
Sorry you have to apparently read through all these comments luke .. a bit insane !
If they don’t send out that contract, then they are hard capped at the 1st apron. If I were them, I’d have to see some real operating room under the 1st apron to live with that. This roster still requires a few more surgeries.
Lmao what a terrible trade just to get bounced in the first round.
Booker and Green is going to be terrible as well.
DDC, I am finding myself agreeing with you pretty often these days….no idea what that means, lol
DarrenDreifortsContract
June 22, 2025
Lmao what a terrible trade just to get bounced in the first round.
Booker and Green is going to be terrible as well.
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Davey J
June 22, 2025
DDC, I am finding myself agreeing with you pretty often these days….no idea what that means, lol
😳😳🤗🤪😂🤪😂😆😀😂🥹
Don’t worry lol …. We all know what means.🧌
The Suns lose the trade if they can’t flip Brooks and Green into better pieces. If they can do that, then it becomes more even.
July 6th is a lot of time to find a taker for Brooks or Green
Durant for Butler straight up LOL
I think the ROCKETS will have a slight fall-off of a few games during the regular season, still in the West’s 3rd to 6th spot though.
As erratic Green is, his value is during the regular season – he can score and is always available ….. Ime will miss Brooks – he was the torch bearer on this Bad Boys identity that Ime brought to the ROCKETS.
KD’s real value will be during the playoffs, if he’s healthy.
================================
For the SUNS, Brooks will definitely have the most impact …… he brings that toughness, lacking since Ishbia took over.
The SUNS still can’t move the immovable Beal, so flipping Green for bigs should be done asap …… Green can score, but there’s an obvious overlap with Book and Beal.
Besides, anyone else think that Green’s tunnel-vision shooting tendencies, just might tick off Book.
Depending on who they get for Green, etc …… SUNS are now a serious contender for a play-in spot. Book it, pun intended.
Rockets gets better, imo. But not much. A healthy KD may get them past the 1st round.
Dang that’s a lot
As of right now 6/22/25 we don’t know the salary cap in name only nba with this cba how second rounders be valued. Teams like thunder pacers Celtics, they may value second rounders to help out in a cheap roster filling way.
Getting a 22 yr old Jalen Green. A starter in Brooks in his prime. And the 10th pick this year. Is good value for a 37 yr old KD. So you add the 5 second rd picks. Then you have great value.
Unfortunately value doesn’t translate to team building or chemistry. Rockets traded two players they can replace. Now they have one of greatest scorers in the history of the game. For 3 yrs.
So its a win win imo.
All of you questioning the Rockets lineup. Need to read up on Smith and Eason scouting reports from their draft till now. Amen will be one of best 2way SG, wing of his generation. Plus they have Whitmore and Sheppard to add to rotation.
Smith started 39 gms last yr. Eason started 16 gms last year. Sheppard an excellent shooter can play PG. Is an excellent third guard. Rockets will redo JVV contract. Then can sign a backup PG (Schroder) ??. Rockets are better now. And they just finished a yr where they were the 2nd seed in the West. Smith and Sheppard are high ceiling talents. I know most of you can’t see that. Eason has major 2way potential. Now he can achieve that. Whitmore has plenty of upside still. And Rockets still have picks coming ……
link to fanspo.com
Amen is outstanding. Somewhere in the middle of this season, I watched a couple of Houston games and was amazed by him. To me, he’s the DPOY over Mobley and one of the best players in this league already, not a “budding star” or whatever monikers are put on guys purely based on how long they’ve been around.
I need to sleep on this, but I feel like Houston rushed into the wrong decision. As much as Green is almost the opposite type of what I like in a basketball player, he is very valuable. I know I’ve said I’d have Kuminga over Green, but that’s not because I think Green is pants, but because of how highly I regard Kuminga. I think quite highly of Green too, definitely from a value standpoint. Then add Brooks, the 10th pick, all the 2nd rounders.
KD is a big bae of basketball, journalists, fans, and evidently GMs too, but I did not like one bit how he went through the 2nd half of this season. Also, the age thing… I think LeBron is doing a big favour to all the older guys in the league. People look at his age and assume the rest of them will be like him. Also, what is his contract situation going to look like?
I think Houston could have done better with that package if they wanted a change. Or they could have let it play out for one more season with that group.
I mean, it doesn’t look bad for Houston, not at all, but there’s something with that deal that’s eating me, from Houston’s standpoint, and I can’t wrap my finger around it. It’s not like I particularly care about what they do, lol. Maybe it’s the fact that since COVID, few teams that traded for max guys improved, and many of them got worse. KD to Phoenix, Lillard to Milwaukee, Westbrook to LAL, Beal to Phoenix. Some have been fine, KAT and Donovan, I guess. Kyrie to Dallas, too, especially considering he’s making almost 10 mil less per year than Lillard. But we will not be able to properly evaluate those trades until a couple of years from now.
It just feels like the “They get this max guy and he’s what will get this team over the line” thing doesn’t work.
Brooks’ minutes plus Green’s minutes (64.7 last year on average) is 28.2 minutes more than KD (36.5). So that’s about how much playing time is available for Whitmore and Reed to grab onto.