Should HOU continue as is or add a star? (HOU/CHA)

I_Love_This_Game!! · Post #1 » by **I_Love_This_Game!!** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 5:33 pm

Proposed Trade:

HOU sends / CHA receives: Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Jr., Amen Thompson, + appropriate draft capital

CHA sends / HOU receives: LaMelo Ball, Seth Curry, Taj Gibson

Why this trade works for the Rockets: Houston is playing winning basketball right now and will most likely make it to the playoffs. So, they do not have to make a trade. With that said, while they have a considerable amount of talent, no one on the team is a lock to be a top 10 player. So, while they may have a great season, the chances of them being a contender now and possibly in the future are far from guaranteed. By adding Ball, they add a potential MVP candidate who may be able to elevate them in the playoffs. Their new lineup:

PG...Ball...Sheppard
SG...Van Vleet...Curry
SF...Brooks...Whitmore
PF...Eason...Gibson
C...Sengun...Adams

Why this trade works for the Hornets: Charlotte has a total of 3 solid players in Ball, Miller and Bridges. They are not in a big market. And, they don't have many avenues to upgrade their team significantly other than trading Ball. This trade sets them up for a better future. While Green has not become the player many hoped he would, a change of scenery might give him the boost he needs. Smith is a solid 2-way player who is still early in his learning curve. And Thompson could become their PG of the future. Another 1st or two would also give this team additional bite(s) of the apple. After this trade, they can trade Bridges and Williams for a young upgrade at center. Their new lineup:

PG...Thompson...Mann
SG...Green...Green
SF...Miller...Bridges...Martin
PF...Smith Jr...Salaun
C...Williams...Richards

What do you think?

LarsV8 · Post #2 » by **LarsV8** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 5:58 pm

Amen Thompson is not getting moved.

Key for the Rockets is too add to the core, not mix things up. We would be looking to make the trade and then immediately contend, not have to plug future roster holes.

Rockets would trade Green + our stash of future picks. There may be some negotiating on adding Reed or Cam, but that would be the extent of it.

HornetJail · Post #3 » by **HornetJail** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 6:02 pm

keep on dreaming, Charlotte isn't trading LaMelo Ball

K_chile22 · Post #4 » by **K_chile22** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 6:52 pm

Not a fan of LaMelo personally, but yeah would have to be more like Jalen+Reed+Bari (?)+picks kind of thing. Definitly need Amen if we're trying to win playoff games with LaMelo on the team

dcstanley · Post #5 » by **dcstanley** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 7:19 pm

Rockets fans, what kind of star are you guys looking for? What kind of archetype or player on the market is ideal?

LarsV8 · Post #6 » by **LarsV8** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 7:40 pm

dcstanley wrote:Rockets fans, what kind of star are you guys looking for? What kind of archetype or player on the market is ideal?

PG or SG who is a juggernaut offensively and competent on defense.

A foul merchant would be awesome.

QMemphis · Post #7 » by **QMemphis** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 7:42 pm

Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

MasterIchiro · Post #8 » by **MasterIchiro** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 7:53 pm

To be honest, Hornets fans don't give a flying Scott Farkas what you think about what LaMelo is worth or not worth.

Hornets are not listening on this player. Insult to suggest otherwise.

He's chasing a scoring title on a longterm contract at little over half the payout compared to his competition atop the scoring leaderboard.

Only Giannis ranks ahead. He is 29. And the Bucks built a championship team around him when he was 26. LaMelo is 23 and under contract 5 years.

Talk to us about LaMelo in 5 years. We will see if Hornets add his Jrue Holiday.

Skybox · Post #9 » by **Skybox** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 7:56 pm

QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Agree...he's a bit of a knucklehead even when he puts up big numbers. Not the guy I'd go all in for. HOU is in good shape and, like OKC, can just be ready when the right one becomes disgruntled or the right team decides to implode.

*I'm not saying Lamelo isn't really good...just not THE ANSWER for HOU, IMO.

MasterIchiro · Post #10 » by **MasterIchiro** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 8:00 pm

LaMelo is not the question for Houston. Forget about being the answer or not.

Pick a target who's actually someone a GM is listening on.

I would rather build around LaMelo than the centerpiece of the Rockets. Not sure if there is a next-level centerpiece there.

JustBuzzin · Post #11 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 8:35 pm

QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

Kiss of Death · Post #12 » by **Kiss of Death** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 9:38 pm

Why would the Rockets change what is working?
Especially for Ball.
He isn’t worth all of that.
And Jalen can’t be traded until the offseason anyways.
And Amen isn’t going anywhere.

MasterIchiro · Post #13 » by **MasterIchiro** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 9:40 pm

Ball is not available in the first place. And he's more valuable as a centerpiece than anyone on that whole **** roster.

Amen isn't going anywhere. Good. Ball is a better centerpiece so Amen isn't being asked to go anywhere.

Post #14 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 9:44 pm

MasterIchiro wrote:Ball is not available in the first place. And he's more valuable as a centerpiece than anyone on that whole **** roster.

Amen isn't going anywhere. Good. Ball is a better centerpiece so Amen isn't being asked to go anywhere.

That roster you imply is terrible is one of the best teams in the tough conference while the Hornets aren't in the weak conference. This idea that Houston is desperate for Ball is laughable on its surface.

We got you down. You love Ball and don't want to trade him. Cool. Don't blame you. But you can let others explore a topic that doesn't interest you with no cost to you. Just ignore the thread.

MasterIchiro · Post #15 » by **MasterIchiro** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 9:48 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
MasterIchiro wrote:Ball is not available in the first place. And he's more valuable as a centerpiece than anyone on that whole **** roster.

Amen isn't going anywhere. Good. Ball is a better centerpiece so Amen isn't being asked to go anywhere.

That roster you imply is terrible is one of the best teams in the tough conference while the Hornets aren't in the weak conference. This idea that Houston is desperate for Ball is laughable on its surface.

We got you down. You love Ball and don't want to trade him. Cool. Don't blame you. But you can let others explore a topic that doesn't interest you with no cost to you. Just ignore the thread.

I want the board to know that I have a reply to this comment, but that I will not make a reply to it and you already know the reason for it.

I do not want to discuss basketball with you.

QMemphis · Post #16 » by **QMemphis** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 10:08 pm

JustBuzzin wrote:
QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

Yeah I think they become a 45-50 win team with Jokic instead of Ball. Much better half court team and probably play a more mature brand of basketball as well. Most teams take on the identity of their best player.

JMAC3 · Post #17 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 10:14 pm

QMemphis wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

Yeah I think they become a 45-50 win team with Jokic instead of Ball. Much better half court team and probably play a more mature brand of basketball as well. Most teams take on the identity of their best player.

Depends on if you are going off the theoretical roster or the actual roster post injuries.

Jokic with Vasa, Miller, Salaun and Josh Green as the starters aren't winning 50 games.

JustBuzzin · Post #18 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 10:18 pm

QMemphis wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

Yeah I think they become a 45-50 win team with Jokic instead of Ball. Much better half court team and probably play a more mature brand of basketball as well. Most teams take on the identity of their best player.

Not a chance. He's not winning without 3 of the top 7 players on the roster out with injuries.

It's basically Jokic/Miller and scrubs. Totally different roster from Denver. He would struggle just to make the playoffs with this roster.

Skybox · Post #19 » by **Skybox** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 10:23 pm

JustBuzzin wrote:
QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

No...but that doesn't mean Ball is in the same universe as Jokic

JustBuzzin · Post #20 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon Dec 2, 2024 10:31 pm

Skybox wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
QMemphis wrote:Call me crazy but Ball ain’t a game changer worth that package. He plays a style of basketball that may be fun but will not equate to winning anytime soon.

Replace Ball with Jokic are the Hornets winning anything with this roster?

No...but that doesn't mean Ball is in the same universe as Jokic

I'm not suggesting he is. I'm saying not even the best player could win much with this current roster. We are missing key contributors 3-7 that's basically our depth.

You aren't winning many games with Jokic/Miller and borderline end of the bench guys. We literally starting a 40yr old Taj Gibson at center.