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Moving on from Harden—The Rockets can come away with 3 out of 5 of Dejounte Murray, Porzingis, Siakam, Cameron Johnson, and OG



The Rockets can come away with 3 of these players while keeping this years top 5 draft pick and all of our core young players, but it requires some luck. The Raptors are looking to “[shake things up](https://theathletic.com/4485523/2023/05/04/raptors-pascal-siakam-og-anunoby-trade-tiers/?amp=1)”, but seem interested in keeping OG. Teams like the Hawks would have to see value in the Nets unprotected first. [The Hawks NEED cap relief](https://hoopshype.com/salaries/atlanta_hawks/) so bad they could blow up everything. They cannot afford to renew Dejounte and pay the LT to keep him which is why they have been shopping Collins for years. The Rockets said they want to make big moves. The Celtics are likely keeping Brown.

Why Porzingins is worth gauging in free agency. Udoka hinted at needing a center.

Porzingis —23.2/8.4/2.7– a 36% career 3pt shooter, gets to the line 6.4 times a game.

He will command around $40M per. Hopefully for 4 years, but 5 could be the deal breaker. He is 27 years old around when centers start peaking. He’s 7-3” with over 2 made 3s a game on 38.5%. I can’t think of anyone close to his height with a complete pick and roll/pop game…especially on the Rockets. This gives the backcourt a lot of advantages. He’s never had solid back ups to stay healthy in Sengun (and Jabari for small ball).

Young guys like KPJ and Jabari or Sengun would have to revert to 6th man and come off the bench—as they should. When you can sign and trade free agents for guys like Siakam, Anunoby, etc. you go for it if all it costs is future firsts.

Edit: Getting a lot of no’s, how do you pass up on Murray (26 years old)?

He averaged:

20.5/5.3/6.1a & 1.5 steals on 46.4/34.4

He looked EXCELLENT offensively in the playoffs against one of the best defensive teams.

Along with Kristaps (27), Johnson or OG (27 and 25) and a top pick in the draft, the Rockets are top 5 in the west next season. All of them are good shooters(adding 6.3 threes made per game to the team with the lowest) and play defense capable of guarding multiple positions vastly improving transition defense. You guys underestimate what having 9 players who don’t make half the teams in the NBA does to our main guys offensively and defensively.

[View Poll](https://www.reddit.com/poll/139i9k4)

by JaTari_Wemba

2 Comments

  1. Franco7x77

    I would rather let our guys play with the addition of a couple of decent vets without trading any our core players.
    Conlee would be a good addition, Cam Johnson and give back a few picks to the Nets. Let our guys play and develop more, we have stars in the making.

  2. voodoochild346

    I’m not in a rush. Rushing and thinking you can accelerate a rebuild artificially is how you become the Texans of the NBA. I would rather be the Astros of the NBA and actually win something. I’m order to win you need an extended period to have a many chances as possible. You rarely win a title immediately after putting your team together.

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