Zion train is coming our way? Or Houston we have a problem?

[MasterIchiro]

Rockets trade:

Jabari Smith
S. Adams
Jeff Green
draft capital (negotiable)

Pelicans trade:

Zion Williamson

Why for Rockets: add a star closer alongside Sengün while keeping open minutes at guard and wing for Jalen Green, T. Eason, D. Brooks, Sheppard, FVV, Amen.

Why for Pelicans: reboot around core pieces like the 2025 lottery selection, T. Murphy III, Jabari, Hawkins, D. Murray.

[K_chile22]

Nope. Rockets are too good at this moment to take a risk in Zion

[LarsV8]

Would depend on the draft capital.

But of all the potential targets, Zion seems like one of the least appealing.

[JKiddy]

I am scared the Nets will trade for him and shut him down for the entire year. They will convince themselves they can change him and that he will be focused and in shape. I half believe they can. But, I do not think it is the prudent idea with our rebuild UNLESS they know something we all do not know?

Maybe he needs a change of scenery? Better guides around him? More mentors? No pressure? I have no clue. But, BK is too quiet. Something is going on.

[K_chile22]

Would depend on the draft capital.

But of all the potential targets, Zion seems like one of the least appealing.

I thought for sure we'd be on the same page for once

[Xman]

Brooks would b-slap Zion into playing better.

[MasterIchiro]

Brooks would b-slap Zion into playing better.

Udoka an ideal coach for Zion as well.

I don't know.

It's a risk.

But options are limited.

And the Rockets are built to absorb the loss of Jabari Smith.

The upside is there with Zion and the cost factors the risk.

[Shock Defeat]

Value wise fair, Zion is the risk here. To an extent you know what you are getting with the Houston package, guys that have a minimum level of play and has some potential, even if unknown / less likely.

With Zion, you could be getting an elite player or someone that is perpetually injured while you have to pay him the max. That is a terrible situation.

[MasterIchiro]

Value wise fair, Zion is the risk here. To an extent you know what you are getting with the Houston package, guys that have a minimum level of play and has some potential, even if unknown / less likely.

With Zion, you could be getting an elite player or someone that is perpetually injured while you have to pay him the max. That is a terrible situation.

If Zion busts, the Rockets lose 2 cost-controlled years of Jabari Smith.

If we were to replace Jabari Smith with Tari Eason, what is the worst case difference in Rockets playoff performance?

I would guess Eason might be able to step straight into those shoes.

So if Zion were to bust, there may be no significant change in trajectory.

But if Zion were to hit, Rockets get a superstar at a bargain price and kick up a level.

[MasterIchiro]

Value wise fair, Zion is the risk here. To an extent you know what you are getting with the Houston package, guys that have a minimum level of play and has some potential, even if unknown / less likely.

With Zion, you could be getting an elite player or someone that is perpetually injured while you have to pay him the max. That is a terrible situation.

If Zion busts, the Rockets lose 2 cost-controlled years of Jabari Smith.

If we were to replace Jabari Smith with Tari Eason, what is the worst case difference in Rockets playoff performance?

I would guess Eason might be able to step straight into those shoes.

So if Zion were to bust, there may be no significant change in trajectory.

But if Zion were to hit, Rockets get a superstar at a bargain price and kick up a level.

Put differently, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason might have equal impact on a playoff series, whereas Zion can really change a series more than either player.

So the downside of the trade is not as bad as Rockets fans make it out to be.

[Saul Goodman]

I think trading Green is too much of a risk here. Zion should be worth


Jabari
Steven Adams
Cam Whitmore
2 1sts



If Zion never plays they would still be okay but if he’s semi decent for 50 games a year and playoffs this could make Houston a title contender


Sengun
Zion
Brooks/eason
Green/amen
Fred/shepperd

[Mavrelous]

At this point Jabari alone is more than enough for Zion...

[MasterIchiro]

I think trading Green is too much of a risk here. Zion should be worth


Jabari
Steven Adams
Cam Whitmore
2 1sts



If Zion never plays they would still be okay but if he’s semi decent for 50 games a year and playoffs this could make Houston a title contender


Sengun
Zion
Brooks/eason
Green/amen
Fred/shepperd

I know I listed Green as J. Green. But that is Jeff Green. My fault. I should've spelled out the full name.

[MasterIchiro]

I think trading Green is too much of a risk here. Zion should be worth


Jabari
Steven Adams
Cam Whitmore
2 1sts



If Zion never plays they would still be okay but if he’s semi decent for 50 games a year and playoffs this could make Houston a title contender


Sengun
Zion
Brooks/eason
Green/amen
Fred/shepperd

Yes, I think Zion is the most realistic target for Houston to make a big move to a title tier.

And they're deep enough to hedge against the downside.

The upside is title contention. So, I wouldn't jump to dismiss this target so quickly if I were a Rockets fan.

[Devilanche]

Value wise fair, Zion is the risk here. To an extent you know what you are getting with the Houston package, guys that have a minimum level of play and has some potential, even if unknown / less likely.

With Zion, you could be getting an elite player or someone that is perpetually injured while you have to pay him the max. That is a terrible situation.

If Zion busts, the Rockets lose 2 cost-controlled years of Jabari Smith.

If we were to replace Jabari Smith with Tari Eason, what is the worst case difference in Rockets playoff performance?

I would guess Eason might be able to step straight into those shoes.

So if Zion were to bust, there may be no significant change in trajectory.

But if Zion were to hit, Rockets get a superstar at a bargain price and kick up a level.

Put differently, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason might have equal impact on a playoff series, whereas Zion can really change a series more than either player.

So the downside of the trade is not as bad as Rockets fans make it out to be.

The upside is a lot higher with Zion (even if extremely unlikely) but the downside is also alot lower with Zion (consistently being out during the playoff)


There’s probably better targets out there for rockets .
His own teammate Ingram - a lot cheaper probably but probably just as likely to be out during playoffs
Fox - would he be available sooner or later if kings doesn’t perform as a top 6 team.
Any other stars that might be available in the next 12 months and are somewhat more healthy.

[MasterIchiro]

If Zion busts, the Rockets lose 2 cost-controlled years of Jabari Smith.

If we were to replace Jabari Smith with Tari Eason, what is the worst case difference in Rockets playoff performance?

I would guess Eason might be able to step straight into those shoes.

So if Zion were to bust, there may be no significant change in trajectory.

But if Zion were to hit, Rockets get a superstar at a bargain price and kick up a level.

Put differently, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason might have equal impact on a playoff series, whereas Zion can really change a series more than either player.

So the downside of the trade is not as bad as Rockets fans make it out to be.

The upside is a lot higher with Zion (even if extremely unlikely) but the downside is also alot lower with Zion (consistently being out during the playoff)


There’s probably better targets out there for rockets .
His own teammate Ingram - a lot cheaper probably but probably just as likely to be out during playoffs
Fox - would he be available sooner or later if kings doesn’t perform as a top 6 team.
Any other stars that might be available in the next 12 months and are somewhat more healthy.

I'm fine with Ingram as a target but the only position for upgrade where there is no glut is the 4. Ingram is a wing. As a 3/4 he overlaps with Eason who adds significant value on defense over Jabari in the games where Zion is unavailable.

Zion is a superstar when healthy. The Rockets would need to have a near ironclad plan to reform him. He could be a change-of-scenery superstar if that's even possible.

Ingram is a nice consolation, but I just find him temporary. He wants to enter unrestricted free agency and I don't blame him. His next big contract might be his last. Age 27, will finish it at 31.

The guy doesn't want to extend.

Rockets may need to revisit the playoffs.

I just think Jabari plus 2 1sts for Zion is about as cheap as you can get a bedrock piece. Ingram is definitely not a bedrock piece. And Fox is redundant with FVV.

They don't need wings and guards. They need a scoring threat alongside Sengün so they can optimize his playmaking value.

[MasterIchiro]

Also feeling quite disappointed nobody has acknowledged the Bob Marley reference.

Zion Train is one of the greats.

[K_chile22]

If Zion busts, the Rockets lose 2 cost-controlled years of Jabari Smith.

If we were to replace Jabari Smith with Tari Eason, what is the worst case difference in Rockets playoff performance?

I would guess Eason might be able to step straight into those shoes.

So if Zion were to bust, there may be no significant change in trajectory.

But if Zion were to hit, Rockets get a superstar at a bargain price and kick up a level.

Put differently, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason might have equal impact on a playoff series, whereas Zion can really change a series more than either player.

So the downside of the trade is not as bad as Rockets fans make it out to be.

The upside is a lot higher with Zion (even if extremely unlikely) but the downside is also alot lower with Zion (consistently being out during the playoff)


There’s probably better targets out there for rockets .
His own teammate Ingram - a lot cheaper probably but probably just as likely to be out during playoffs
Fox - would he be available sooner or later if kings doesn’t perform as a top 6 team.
Any other stars that might be available in the next 12 months and are somewhat more healthy.

Yeah, the cost for Zion himself not particularly high but the opportunity cost of keeping these assets for the next more reliable guy that asks out is pretty big

[Devilanche]

Put differently, Jabari Smith and Tari Eason might have equal impact on a playoff series, whereas Zion can really change a series more than either player.

So the downside of the trade is not as bad as Rockets fans make it out to be.

The upside is a lot higher with Zion (even if extremely unlikely) but the downside is also alot lower with Zion (consistently being out during the playoff)


There’s probably better targets out there for rockets .
His own teammate Ingram - a lot cheaper probably but probably just as likely to be out during playoffs
Fox - would he be available sooner or later if kings doesn’t perform as a top 6 team.
Any other stars that might be available in the next 12 months and are somewhat more healthy.

I'm fine with Ingram as a target but the only position for upgrade where there is no glut is the 4. Ingram is a wing. As a 3/4 he overlaps with Eason who adds significant value on defense over Jabari in the games where Zion is unavailable.

Zion is a superstar when healthy. The Rockets would need to have a near ironclad plan to reform him. He could be a change-of-scenery superstar if that's even possible.

Ingram is a nice consolation, but I just find him temporary. He wants to enter unrestricted free agency and I don't blame him. His next big contract might be his last. Age 27, will finish it at 31.

The guy doesn't want to extend.

Rockets may need to revisit the playoffs.

I just think Jabari plus 2 1sts for Zion is about as cheap as you can get a bedrock piece. Ingram is definitely not a bedrock piece. And Fox is redundant with FVV.

They don't need wings and guards. They need a scoring threat alongside Sengün so they can optimize his playmaking value.

You just talked yourself into why waiting might be better move for the young rockets I believe.

[MasterIchiro]

The upside is a lot higher with Zion (even if extremely unlikely) but the downside is also alot lower with Zion (consistently being out during the playoff)


There’s probably better targets out there for rockets .
His own teammate Ingram - a lot cheaper probably but probably just as likely to be out during playoffs
Fox - would he be available sooner or later if kings doesn’t perform as a top 6 team.
Any other stars that might be available in the next 12 months and are somewhat more healthy.

I'm fine with Ingram as a target but the only position for upgrade where there is no glut is the 4. Ingram is a wing. As a 3/4 he overlaps with Eason who adds significant value on defense over Jabari in the games where Zion is unavailable.

Zion is a superstar when healthy. The Rockets would need to have a near ironclad plan to reform him. He could be a change-of-scenery superstar if that's even possible.

Ingram is a nice consolation, but I just find him temporary. He wants to enter unrestricted free agency and I don't blame him. His next big contract might be his last. Age 27, will finish it at 31.

The guy doesn't want to extend.

Rockets may need to revisit the playoffs.

I just think Jabari plus 2 1sts for Zion is about as cheap as you can get a bedrock piece. Ingram is definitely not a bedrock piece. And Fox is redundant with FVV.

They don't need wings and guards. They need a scoring threat alongside Sengün so they can optimize his playmaking value.

You just talked yourself into why waiting might be better move for the young rockets I believe.

They are clearly buyers right here right now.

I've been trying to say, you can wait on the next star (Ingram) but bedrock pieces (Zion) are different. You can be waiting multiple years for one. Buyers compete and bid during these rare windows of opportunity. They do not wait.

Typically, the bedrock piece that becomes available is older (KD, or Dame for example). These bedrock pieces make more sense for older rosters.

I wouldn't even consider Towns a bedrock piece. Wolves are building around Edwards, not KAT. Is Edwards, a young bedrock piece, someone Houston should wait on? He's contacted 5 years.

Their fans just over yonder inside a neighboring thread are sitting around waiting for the Hornets to listen on LaMelo - 23, #2 scorer in the NBA, secured on a bargain deal - 5 years long.

So this idea of waiting is not something I see in their fanbase.

I've been trying to orient myself for the here-and-now.

That is not LaMelo. That is more Zion than anyone else I can think of.

Maybe they bridge with someone like Ingram. Maybe they punt. I just think they're spinning their wheels. You do not reach the next level in this league without taking some serious risks.