PhilBlackson wrote:PrinceAli wrote:https://theathletic.com/2700614/2021/07/12/rockets-trade-possibilities-who-says-no-in-potential-deals-for-no-2-pick-in-nba-draft/?source=user_shared_articleOffer: Raptors trade the No. 4 and No. 46 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft and a 2023 lottery-protected first-round pick for No. 2
Raptors beat writer Blake Murphy: The Raptors kicking in a mid-second and a future first is about the going rate for a move like this, in general. The lottery protection shouldn’t be a big deal, either, as the Raptors project to be within their competitive window when the pick conveys. For the Rockets, there’s the added benefit here of a Toronto offer tipping their hand. I think if the Raptors were to move up, it’d be to snag Mobley, which would mean Houston could be reasonably assured of still landing one of the elite guards in the class.
Deal or no deal?
We might actually have something here.
The good thing about dealing with another team picking in the top four is the benefit of still selecting a great prospect. I think what it would come down to would be Houston hedging their bets on their Raptors intel, believing that Toronto would take Evan Mobley. Doing so would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers the choice of Green or Suggs. I have to believe Houston would be content with either. If the Cavs take Green, the Rockets get Suggs, a bonafide playmaker with lockdown potential at the next level. He would be the heir to Wall’s throne. On top of that, Houston can use the 46th pick and package with their back-to-back selections at 23 and 24 to move even higher up to double dip, if that was the objective.
This deal is contingent on trusting Toronto taking Mobley, but I could see Houston agreeing to something like this.
I only wish Murphy knew wth he's talking about lol
"Have to believe Houston would be content with either"
He has to actually provide substance behind it outside of "replace John Wall" as a reason to also be ok with getting Suggs lol...the Rockets don't give a damn about Wall, the trade was done to get WAS pick. The idea that HOU would be making decisions based on replacing anything to do with him is laughable.
I just wish it was substantiated by some rumors that the Rockets actually like Suggs so therefore they'd be ok with it. Because I know I would be ok with that deal especially with lottery protection because I have no doubts we'd turn Mobley into a monster and as such he'd drastically change our team ceiling long term.
It's so rare for teams to swap picks in the top 5.. Every owner/gm/fan base falls in love with their prospect and with it being in the top 5, theres always the alure of it being the next great young player.
And the risk of not choosing that player (in this case HOU with Green), and him becoming elite, will be considered to be a fireable offence. Thats why these teams take their guy and call it a day
*INGRAM*ALLSTARSEASON*
