Houston Options at the draft with #9

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K_chile22
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#41 » by K_chile22 » Tue Apr 29, 2025 3:30 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
K_chile22 wrote:Houston out:
Jalen, 9

Houston in:
Monk, Lonzo

Chicago out:
Lonzo, Zach Collins

Chicago in:
Jalen Green


Sacramento out:
Malik Monk

Sacramento in:
9, Zach Collins

Houston gets a guard upgrade, Chicago takes a chance on Jalen flashes, Kings get a pick to flip for a wing or take Murray-Boyles to be their defender next to Sabonis


I like this for Houston and Chicago. And its probably correct for the Kings to get that kind of value out of Monk, but IDK that they are willing to sell?

I think they should be trying to trade him for a forward defender but not sure who is out there bc everyone wants those players but theres a good one in this draft in that range. Maybe a guy shakes loose as part of one of the bigger offseason trades and 9 becomes that guy
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#42 » by wegotthabeet » Tue Apr 29, 2025 8:58 pm

LarsV8 wrote:
wegotthabeet wrote:
LarsV8 wrote:Houston is fortunate to have a top ten pick this year.

How should they use it? Obviously there are still unknowns with the lottery, but here are my early thoughts.

1.) Jump to 1, obviously take Flagg, becomes long term 3 and possible franchise player
2.) Jump to 2, obviously take Harper, possible becomes long term solution at point and maybe franchise player / engine? (qualifier, I haven't scouted him closely yet)
3.) Jump to 3, very unclear. I don't like Bailey for Houston at all. I think the pick is Edgecombe, as just another of one of IME type players. May trade out all together or up to Harper?
3.) Jump to 3, very unclear. I don't like Bailey for Houston at all. I think the pick is Edgecombe, as just another of one of IME type players. May trade out all together or up to Harper?

Stay at 9, guys I am interested in, but have concerns over playing time with loaded roster
Maluach
-I have always wanted a traditional defensive big, but his lack of rebounding scares me, although he has a path to playing time, as no one has his skill set on the roster.
Tre Johnson
Kon Kneuppel
- Interesting players, but same issue as Reed Sheppard, we don't have rotation space and they deserve it.
Boyle
- Interesting, but again how is getting minutes, as we are loaded with guys at this position. Might be the only guy left I like if no trade scenarios materialize.

High-ish rated guys, who I just don't have interest in
Bailey
Fears
Queen
Newell
Kasparis
Boyles
McNeely

Trade down?

The only other guy I like in this draft is Rasheer Flemming, who probably goes about 20. Is there a trade down scenario for a future first? Even a crummy first in 26 or 28 helps our Stepien situation.

Would Orlando trade up in exchange for 28 first top 14 protected? Maybe Utah for 26 or 28 with some protections.

Trade out?
Probably not for players, but a couple future protected firsts to kick the asset pile down the road?

Package for win now player?
Will likely be most popular answer, but I really only like a couple guys as trade targets, and none of the old stars.


You're greedy. Houston already jumped up to the top 3 last year and kept their pick the year before (also top 4) when they could have easily lost it. Just be happy with another top 10 pick. If the basketball gods exist Houston will stay at 9.


I'm greedy for running through potential options of what could happen with our draft pick?


haha yeah. not really of course, but yes.

you've gotten lucky enough over the last few years, built a nice team, drafted some duds in the top 3, but even running through the possibility of landing a top 2 is greedy.

think about what you'd do when you don't land Flagg or Harper.
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#43 » by NYG » Wed Apr 30, 2025 3:54 am

LarsV8 wrote:Houston is fortunate to have a top ten pick this year.

How should they use it? Obviously there are still unknowns with the lottery, but here are my early thoughts.

1.) Jump to 1, obviously take Flagg, becomes long term 3 and possible franchise player
2.) Jump to 2, obviously take Harper, possible becomes long term solution at point and maybe franchise player / engine? (qualifier, I haven't scouted him closely yet)
3.) Jump to 3, very unclear. I don't like Bailey for Houston at all. I think the pick is Edgecombe, as just another of one of IME type players. May trade out all together or up to Harper?
3.) Jump to 3, very unclear. I don't like Bailey for Houston at all. I think the pick is Edgecombe, as just another of one of IME type players. May trade out all together or up to Harper?

Stay at 9, guys I am interested in, but have concerns over playing time with loaded roster
Maluach
-I have always wanted a traditional defensive big, but his lack of rebounding scares me, although he has a path to playing time, as no one has his skill set on the roster.
Tre Johnson
Kon Kneuppel
- Interesting players, but same issue as Reed Sheppard, we don't have rotation space and they deserve it.
Boyle
- Interesting, but again how is getting minutes, as we are loaded with guys at this position. Might be the only guy left I like if no trade scenarios materialize.

High-ish rated guys, who I just don't have interest in
Bailey
Fears
Queen
Newell
Kasparis
Boyles
McNeely

Trade down?

The only other guy I like in this draft is Rasheer Flemming, who probably goes about 20. Is there a trade down scenario for a future first? Even a crummy first in 26 or 28 helps our Stepien situation.

Would Orlando trade up in exchange for 28 first top 14 protected? Maybe Utah for 26 or 28 with some protections.

Trade out?
Probably not for players, but a couple future protected firsts to kick the asset pile down the road?

Package for win now player?
Will likely be most popular answer, but I really only like a couple guys as trade targets, and none of the old stars.


The way this current Houston regime works, I could see them being more likely to keep their pick or use some of their future draft capital to really move up in the draft than trading their draft capital in an all-in deal for a star.
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#44 » by LarsV8 » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:09 am

NYG wrote:The way this current Houston regime works, I could see them being more likely to keep their pick or use some of their future draft capital to really move up in the draft than trading their draft capital in an all-in deal for a star.


Move up for who?

No one is trading Flagg. Harper is a nice long term piece that could slot in at FVV's spot. (but we still have Reed)

Assuming Harper is a target, who is trading down?

The only team who I think might not love Harper would be Charlotte due to already having Ball. What does it cost to move from #9 to #2?
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#45 » by NYG » Wed Apr 30, 2025 4:30 am

LarsV8 wrote:
NYG wrote:The way this current Houston regime works, I could see them being more likely to keep their pick or use some of their future draft capital to really move up in the draft than trading their draft capital in an all-in deal for a star.


Move up for who?

No one is trading Flagg. Harper is a nice long term piece that could slot in at FVV's spot. (but we still have Reed)

Assuming Harper is a target, who is trading down?

The only team who I think might not love Harper would be Charlotte due to already having Ball. What does it cost to move from #9 to #2?


True, I could see them just being patient and drafting a guy at 9 they like. My main point is, Houston may go slower with this roster than the trade board would like to see in real life.
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Re: Houston Options at the draft with #9 

Post#46 » by gswhoops » Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:00 pm

LarsV8 wrote:
NYG wrote:The way this current Houston regime works, I could see them being more likely to keep their pick or use some of their future draft capital to really move up in the draft than trading their draft capital in an all-in deal for a star.


Move up for who?

No one is trading Flagg. Harper is a nice long term piece that could slot in at FVV's spot. (but we still have Reed)

Assuming Harper is a target, who is trading down?

The only team who I think might not love Harper would be Charlotte due to already having Ball. What does it cost to move from #9 to #2?

I feel like the cost to move up from #9 to #2 would be prohibitive for Houston, even if Charlotte was convinced Harper/Ball weren't a fit together long-term.

Obviously wouldn't offer Amen or Sengun to move up, and I don't think something like Jabari or Eason + 9 gets it done (and I'm not even sure I'd do that from Houston's perspective either).

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