Hou-Chi

[pipfan]

These two seem like good trading partners to me
JSmith for the #12?

Houston has too many young guys, and their salary structure will explode soon. This gives them 2 lotto picks to add more young guys who have 4 cheap years coming.

Bulls get bigger, I like Matas at the 3. We have a mostly clear slate for salaries moving forward, so we can extend Giddey and Smith this summer and go with
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Smith/PWill
Vuc (?)/Collins
deep bench of Carter, Phillips, JSmith, Terry
Could deal Vuc too, so our defense is much better. In theory, Vuc would make a great bench center, and Collins could start for defense, and play Smith too at the 4/5

[Dez]

Houston can do a lot better than that for Jabari Smith Jr.

[Frankie]

Hard pass.

[Kiss of Death]

No from Houston.

They are more likely to trade the #9 pick than they are to trade for the #12.

[jayjaysee]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

[Godaddycurse]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

Dont see how jabari is worth more than 12 at this point given how stagnant his numbers have been

[LarsV8]

It would take multiple firsts to pry away Jabari Smith.

He is an awesome player and so so young.

[jbk1234]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

I don't think extending, or matching, on Smith is an easy choice given the fact that Eason will be up after next season and Thompson will be up the following year. Setting aside PPP, which will make trades more difficult, he's one of those guys who you can't just hand a rookie max to and assume he'll have positive value.

I wouldn't extend FVV either. I'd pick up his option.

[Frankie]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

I don't think extending, or matching, on Smith is an easy choice given the fact that Eason will be up after next season and Thompson will be up the following year. Setting aside PPP, which will make trades more difficult, he's one of those guys who you can't just hand a rookie max to and assume he'll have positive value.

I wouldn't extend FVV either. I'd pick up his option.

Neither Eason or Jabari will get the max. Amen might, and even that depends on how he continues to develop the next 2 years.

[pipfan]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

I don't think extending, or matching, on Smith is an easy choice given the fact that Eason will be up after next season and Thompson will be up the following year. Setting aside PPP, which will make trades more difficult, he's one of those guys who you can't just hand a rookie max to and assume he'll have positive value.

I wouldn't extend FVV either. I'd pick up his option.

I figure Hou saves about $8 million (difference in the #12 salary and JSmith next year) and buy years of a cheap deal. Hou has to make tough decisions-this is a move to sell high.

But, maybe they keep him and Chi just stays at 12. Thanks

[jbk1234]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

I don't think extending, or matching, on Smith is an easy choice given the fact that Eason will be up after next season and Thompson will be up the following year. Setting aside PPP, which will make trades more difficult, he's one of those guys who you can't just hand a rookie max to and assume he'll have positive value.

I wouldn't extend FVV either. I'd pick up his option.

Neither Eason or Jabari will get the max. Amen might, and even that depends on how he continues to develop the next 2 years.

I agree that neither guy is worth even a rookie max, but we're now at a point where not everything is up to the Rockets. They can't control what Smith is offered by other teams. It's up to him whether to sign what's offered.

[Frankie]

I don't think extending, or matching, on Smith is an easy choice given the fact that Eason will be up after next season and Thompson will be up the following year. Setting aside PPP, which will make trades more difficult, he's one of those guys who you can't just hand a rookie max to and assume he'll have positive value.

I wouldn't extend FVV either. I'd pick up his option.

Neither Eason or Jabari will get the max. Amen might, and even that depends on how he continues to develop the next 2 years.

I agree that neither guy is worth even a rookie max, but we're now at a point where not everything is up to the Rockets. They can't control what Smith is offered by other teams. It's up to him whether to sign what's offered.

That's true, and Jabari in particular lost his starting spot, so there's a decent he could get a better contract as well as the opportunity to be a starter on another team. I'm optimistic we can get him signed to a team friendly deal too, but if he spends all of next season coming off the bench, I could see a world where he wants to test the market.

Eason I think we'll have no problems signing to a team friendly deal. He suits his role on this team so perfectly.

[Skybox]

Interesting concept...not sure it's enough for HOU, but Tari's emergence and all of the bills coming due soon makes this really interesting. HOU can be careful with their money by resetting the rookie clock...but I think #12, specifically in this draft isn't enough, IMO...and I do like Jabari for CHI.

[Tetlak]

Jabari Smith Jr. is just not that good. Rather go for the unknown.

[Astaluego]

I think Smith will be part of the trade where Houston gets KD, the Bulls and their pick will be involved in the Zion trade

[Texas Chuck]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

Dont see how jabari is worth more than 12 at this point given how stagnant his numbers have been

So this is interesting to me. I think godaddy isn't wrong to suggest he hasn't shown what was hoped, is on an expensive rookie deal due to his draft spot and its time already to make an extension decision. I can't imagine he agrees to anything team friendly, so he either gets overpaid or plays out his last year, which could be fine but is never ideal.

So I don't think he's worth more than 12 either. But I don't see Houston punting him for that either. I think there is still too much talent there for that. So I would agree if he's dealt its as part of a package for a better player.

[jbk1234]

I think Houston and Chicago are good trade partners. But it’s in a world where Chicago is selling, not Houston. Jalen, Ayo, Lonzo..

I don’t think Houston is ready to give up on Jabari unless it’s in a star package. Would take an overpay and I think some teams would pay more than OP.

Houston has 2-3 years before they’re in that tax crunch. They can afford to extend or match on Jabari if they want and see who is worth keeping once Amen’a contract is kicking in.

Dont see how jabari is worth more than 12 at this point given how stagnant his numbers have been

So this is interesting to me. I think godaddy isn't wrong to suggest he hasn't shown what was hoped, is on an expensive rookie deal due to his draft spot and its time already to make an extension decision. I can't imagine he agrees to anything team friendly, so he either gets overpaid or plays out his last year, which could be fine but is never ideal.

So I don't think he's worth more than 12 either. But I don't see Houston punting him for that either. I think there is still too much talent there for that. So I would agree if he's dealt its as part of a package for a better player.

If I'm the trade partner, I think I might rather have No. 12 than inherit the player coming off a rookie contract who is neither amenable to a team-friendly deal nor worthy of a rookie max extension. If I have a better fitting roster, future cap room, and he'll sign an extension that contemplates some future growth but is under max money, maybe you can thread that needle.

[Texas Chuck]

If I'm the trade partner, I think I might rather have No. 12 than inherit the player coming off a rookie contract who is neither amenable to a team-friendly deal nor worthy of a rookie max extension. If I have a better fitting roster, future cap room, and he'll sign an extension that contemplates some future growth but is under max money, maybe you can thread that needle.

Sure, but Houston probably isn't going to be able to present them with that option. But as part of a package for a star? He's still an attractive piece.

[LarsV8]

Jabari is 21, probably the best basketball archetype you can ask for. Long, switchable, shooter, defensive oriented. Can play 3-5.

He didn't "lose" his starting spot, Amen Thompson, a freak of nature, filled in and was so unbelievable, and Houston was winning so many games, Jabari agreed to come off the bench.

I want MORE JBJrs on my team, not less. He is just a winning basketball player.

[Texas Chuck]

I'd have Jokic as the ideal archetype. Or maybe Lebron. But in terms of having length and enough athleticism, sure. Of course the league isn't short of those guys. Smith doesn't jump off the table in that regard at all. At some point his actual play is going to matter more than his measurables.

And I say this as a guy who also thinks Houston should hold on to him unless he's needed in a deal for a real difference maker. But they can't pay everyone and probably not even just he and Eason. So while I might not do it, there is absolutely logic in moving one of them before the deadline where Smith's value is going to be a great deal less.