Preseason over. Deadline to get extension for 2011 draftees (Jalen Green and Sengun) is a week away. Offers are forthcoming, but how much? 21 yr Sengun is approaching All Star status. He wanted to improve 3 point and free throw percentages. Small sample, but he is we achieved. He'll get a max deal, or close. Green due to lack of talent, was expected to do everything for two years and as such, played a little out of control and forced shots. Ime made him team oriented, a rebounder, and play controlled.
Rockets are a team loaded with athleticism and youth. Van Vleet, Adams, and Brooks were added to provide leadership and it worked. They traded for Adams and ate his '23 $10 mil salary hoping that he'd fully recover. He looks real good and they now have the other physical and talented center they've been wanting. Eason was kept out and he's 100 percent now. Those choices helped get the Rockets in the lottery and they got lucky. Reed Shepherd (#3 pick) has wowed everyone in summer league, camp, and preseason. The 19 yr old is gonna be a star point guard. Van Vleet will start and tutor Reed this year. Vleet is talented but Rockets will not pick up his option and free $43 mil in cap space to resign Smith, Thompson, and other young stars. No team in the NBA is younger nor more athletic and they bought in to Ime's defensive challenge. Adding Reed, Adams, and Eason, along with the experience gained under Ime last year.... hold on. It's gonna make for a great battle between Mavs, Thunder, and Rockets.
Looking ahead, they traded for 4 of Phoenix's future picks beginning in two years which, looking at their age, cap issues, and probable decline, look to be very valuable. If this team makes a run, they may go all in and package Green and a couple of picks for a top free agent later this year with cap space and picks. 🙂.
Get Sengun and Green contract issues settled this week and sit back and enjoy.
Points. Van Vleet, Reed, Holliday
Small Forwards. Jalen Green, Thompson, Eason, Whitmore, Tate
Power forwards. Brooks, Smith, Jeff Green
Centers. Sengun, Adams, Landale
Amazing depth at every position.
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