With the way the draft lottery went this year, the Nets and Hawks pick moving into the top 4, I'm more reluctant to trade any of the Nets picks or swaps. I like Bridges and I know he'd be an upgrade over Brooks, but I think the Nets are going to require too much for him....pass. Especially when you have Eason, Whitmore, and Thompson on your team, and your struggling to find minutes for them. I think the Rockets should keep the pick, and draft Sheppard. I think he can be a lot better than what people expect. Basketball IQ is underrated....you rarely here people talk about it when describing a 19 year old prospect. He fits the Rockets perfectly. As for the #44 pick, I wouldn't be surprised if they pick a very raw foreign player. This is something Morey used to do in the second round....and with the amount of roster spots and other young talent in need of development, I could see them choosing someone for a few years down the road. Rafael Stone has shown that finding talent, and drafting well is what he does best. As for Bronny James, I wouldn't mind the Rockets drafting him if he weren't the son of LeBron. This team has a bunch of young guys and they don't need that type of circus causing distractions....plus there's some history between LeBron and Udoka.
We should draft Clingan because we can't depend on Jock and we don't know how healthy Steven Adams is going to be. Now we can still get Bridges since we have the Nets picks that they desperately need and want back. I do believe the remainer 3 picks is too much for Bridges but it's better than all 4 picks like they originally asked for.
I can't argue with anything you say but I do think Udoka has a defensive potential threshold that Dillingham may not meet. It is clear the Rockets want Bridges. The Nets simply aren't yet desperate enough to make the trade. Last year Udoka focused on defense. This year it will be spacing and shooting. Don't be surprised if Sengun comes out shooting 3's at a high rate and hopefully at a high percentage as well. I'm slowly falling in love with Sheppard's fit. The analytics say he's going to be a great player and the Rockets have traditionally been very analytics focused. If they think like me - they just take Sheppard now and be patient for the Nets to come around and trade Bridges in the next couple of years.
Great analysis and video. Personally I like Reed Sheppard for that 3 spot, but you've made me think Clingon could work. I'd like Bridges if it didn't cost any of the core six. I'm excited for their future.
Your analysis is spot on. I agree with everything you said. My hope is that we trade back get Knecht and pick up a win now asset. The second round I would like Scheierman or Dunn but I don’t think they will be there at 44.
Houston needs playmaking more than shooting. It's bigger taller players in free agency you can sign for shooting. Reed is a good player, but not for Houston, especially for a Ime Udoka style. Already guard heavy Houston badly needs rim protection and playmaking or a dynamic scoring 6th man. At 3 Rockets should select Wing-Risacher "if avail" Combo Forward-Sarr Center-Clingan "if avail" Combo-guard-Dillingham or Combo guard-Stephon Castle
Kevin O’Conner is throwing a scenario out there where Houston trades the 3rd pick to the blazers for Simons, the 7th, and the 14th. I love the rockets but there’s no way Portland does that without asking for more.
What kind of package do you think it takes to get Bridges? The Nets have reportedly turned down offers of multiple firsts so I'm just curious what you think that Trade would look like.
We share nearly the same opinions about my Houston Rockets draft board and offseason I’ve been watching Bronny closely since he was probably 14 and he really just plays the game the right way he’s young and his athleticism and unselfishness I think really offsets his offensive woes Bronny James is getting drafted to shut down 1-2s in this league could make it easier for a Jalen Green Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore to get it going and Adem Bona I think I have at 39 on my big board I love him especially what he showcased at the combine dream get at 44 I also like Bronny there Djurisic,AJ Johnson,Melvin Frazier , and Ajay Mitchell would be so great to experiment with turning Amen into a 3
Sheldon, I sure hope you are right that the Rockets take Reed and I liked your list of other choices. I have to agree with the top three, but I think Dillingham and Castle are irrelevant. I am even okay with the Knecht idea if Reed is not available, but he is a SF, not a playmaker and who's PT is he going to take? I would want Knecht over Bridges for sure. I wish peeps would drop the Bridges to Rockets takes. I do not see it happening...I my opinion you are over-valuing Bridges. Please anybody but Bronny...I do not want that circus on the Rockets. His dad will want to interfere and the Media would be nutz.
Nobody the Rockets take at #3 is going to get real playing time this year. If the roster and minutes allocation remains fundamentally unchanged, there are 33 backup minutes per game at the forward spots. Tari Eason will get the lion share of those. Maybe as many as 30 minutes a game. Amen and Cam Whitmore will get what is left. At the guard positions, there are 28 backup minutes available. Those will have to be split between Amen and Cam too. And hell, they're talking about potentially bringing in guys like Malik Beasley. And of course, at center, the Rockets have Steven Adams and Jock Landale. So if you expect their pick to get significant playing time this season you're going to be disappointed.
@@keeping_it_realty I am definitely looking long-term. FVV and Udoka will fit Reed as Reed will fit the Rockets. Reed is just turning 20yo and will need time to develop into their future PG to go along with Amen...plus Sengun will give them 3 different styles (all young) of playmakers, which I think is super important for their future as their core 3...then they can plug and play around them for 15...16 or so years. I sure hope the Rocket can get Reed. I also think the Rockets will move on from JG...most defiantly if his efficiency does not improve this season. I would trade him for future draft capital (2028-2031...say 2-first, 2-swaps & 4-seconds) before extending him...that means the trade deadline. Yes, I know JG potential, but I think Cam will be a better SG. The Rockets cannot keep all the young core players. I hope they do this sooner than later. It will also define the direction of the team and free-up minutes. Plus, having Cam as an efficient SG option on a cheap 3-year contract is hard to block from reality. In addition, I love Cam's size...for it and Amen's size will keep Reed on the floor in this complementary 3 guard rotation. As far as all the talk...it happens every year. A lot of exploring and rumors out there. I just don't see them taking on another major contract. I doubt that the Rockets are interested in Malik Beasley's past problems after ridding themselves of KPJ. Besides, Stone has repeatedly said that THEY love their players. Adams is their big addition for this summer. Getting Adams is also a big indicator that the Rockets are committed to Brooks. Pairing them up again is a bonus that they cannot get with bringing in a different SF and he is another veteran presence that can mentor Sengun and the frontline. Plus, Adams and Landale gives the Rockets a lot of options on the frontline, which I like a lot. MOF, I hope they can resign Adams...I love his physical style of play.
I think Houston can stay at 3 and get Sarr. San Antonio is supposedly offering the 4 and 8 picks for the top pick to take Risacher. If Atlanta decides to not trade the pick, there is a rumor that they love clingan. Again, that’s not gospel. Just a rumor. If San Antonio can’t get 1, the thought is that they would offer Washington the same thing. They supposedly want Risacher that bad so that would leave Sarr for Houston in that scenario
New Jersey is only going to trade Bridges for (1) another star that will let them be playoff contenders or (2) multiple lottery-range draft picks. They're not going to accept lowball or even fair value offers because that would mean the worst near-term future result for them - a mediocre to bad team with no future picks. So if the Rockets want him, New Jersey is going to ask for all their picks/pick swaps back and probably one of our young talents as well. Would that be an overpay? Probably, but that's the price we'll have to pay to get him.
Honestly, there really isn't a star out there that the Rockets should trade for, look at the past every time we traded for a star it always back fired. Bridges is a great player but hes not a star, he's a role player and the trade would be very one sided the Nets would walk away with a W while we walked away with just a role player. Keep the pick and draft either Sheppard, Clingan or Buzelis, its the safest thing to do and we get to watch out players grow. Now there is 2 players I do believe should be traded especially since they've both been very inconsistent and mediocre thats JG and Jabari. JG has his flashes but flashes dont mean crap, he's inconsistent and finally when the szn is almost over he wants to ball out. Then theres Jabari who has missed free throws in crucial moments and we eneded up losing bc he couldnt make at least one shot. Its pathetic. Anyways great vid, sorry for the rant.
bridges was in 34th percentile on craftedDPM last year, his defense is so overrated. We have Eason and Amen who are several tiers better on D than Bridges
Reed only averaged 8 FGA’s per game…many of which were uncontested. He’s going to have a hard time getting his shot off and making it to the rim on the NBA level. Stone would be a fool to spend the #3 pick on him.
He wouldn’t be a better prospect simply by forcing bad shots. He’s an efficient player because he constantly takes what the defense allows. Similar to Mike Conley in that way
@@UtilitySports Making contested shots is how you judge a player. Many of Reeds shots were wide open. Heck, Rob had more contested shots than Reed. Also, his lack of shots is worrisome. We knew Curry was a great shooter coming out of college because he averaged 9 three point attempts per game (Reed only 4). We know Dalton is a great shooter because he averaged 6 three point attempts per game and over 70% of his shots were contested. Stone would be an absolute fool to burn that pick on Reed after his last two draft picks.
Reed played in a season with no standout athletes. When he get to the NBA he gon be chopped cheese. you better not pick a 6 foot tall white dude with the third pick.
I personally think picking Sheppard at 3 is a massive disappointment. The Rockets can grab a shooter in free agency. Dillingham shot 45% from 3 & is a better pick n roll handler. Reed defense look super overrated wingspan is something you need as a smaller guard. WIth all the deficiencies you mentioned I dnt understand how he is a top 3 prospect. Mid to late 1st rounder yes. 3 overall hell nahh. Id rather have Knect or Cody Williams.
@QPac_ Reed only averaged 8 FGA per game…many of which were uncontested. Way too risky to burn a lottery pick on him. Dalton would be the BPA for the Rockets.
Great timing as I just ran out of Houston draft videos (including 2023, 2022 and 2021!
With the way the draft lottery went this year, the Nets and Hawks pick moving into the top 4, I'm more reluctant to trade any of the Nets picks or swaps. I like Bridges and I know he'd be an upgrade over Brooks, but I think the Nets are going to require too much for him....pass. Especially when you have Eason, Whitmore, and Thompson on your team, and your struggling to find minutes for them. I think the Rockets should keep the pick, and draft Sheppard. I think he can be a lot better than what people expect. Basketball IQ is underrated....you rarely here people talk about it when describing a 19 year old prospect. He fits the Rockets perfectly. As for the #44 pick, I wouldn't be surprised if they pick a very raw foreign player. This is something Morey used to do in the second round....and with the amount of roster spots and other young talent in need of development, I could see them choosing someone for a few years down the road. Rafael Stone has shown that finding talent, and drafting well is what he does best. As for Bronny James, I wouldn't mind the Rockets drafting him if he weren't the son of LeBron. This team has a bunch of young guys and they don't need that type of circus causing distractions....plus there's some history between LeBron and Udoka.
We should draft Clingan because we can't depend on Jock and we don't know how healthy Steven Adams is going to be. Now we can still get Bridges since we have the Nets picks that they desperately need and want back. I do believe the remainer 3 picks is too much for Bridges but it's better than all 4 picks like they originally asked for.
You know I’m geeked for this video!!! 🚀🚀
I can't argue with anything you say but I do think Udoka has a defensive potential threshold that Dillingham may not meet. It is clear the Rockets want Bridges. The Nets simply aren't yet desperate enough to make the trade. Last year Udoka focused on defense. This year it will be spacing and shooting. Don't be surprised if Sengun comes out shooting 3's at a high rate and hopefully at a high percentage as well. I'm slowly falling in love with Sheppard's fit. The analytics say he's going to be a great player and the Rockets have traditionally been very analytics focused. If they think like me - they just take Sheppard now and be patient for the Nets to come around and trade Bridges in the next couple of years.
Great show and Go Rockets!!!
Excellent analysis as always. My favorite draft podcast because you don’t follow consensus.
Great analysis and video. Personally I like Reed Sheppard for that 3 spot, but you've made me think Clingon could work.
I'd like Bridges if it didn't cost any of the core six. I'm excited for their future.
Your analysis is spot on. I agree with everything you said. My hope is that we trade back get Knecht and pick up a win now asset. The second round I would like Scheierman or Dunn but I don’t think they will be there at 44.
Except Reed Sheppard had the highest vertical jump in the combine. So all this "he's not athletic" talk is wrong.
Houston needs playmaking more than shooting. It's bigger taller players in free agency you can sign for shooting. Reed is a good player, but not for Houston, especially for a Ime Udoka style. Already guard heavy Houston badly needs rim protection and playmaking or a dynamic scoring 6th man.
At 3 Rockets should select
Wing-Risacher "if avail"
Combo Forward-Sarr
Center-Clingan "if avail"
Combo-guard-Dillingham or
Combo guard-Stephon Castle
Clingan or Shepard is the correct pick
We need Shot blocking and Offense from Jabaris Position and Jabari needs to be pushed .
Kevin O’Conner is throwing a scenario out there where Houston trades the 3rd pick to the blazers for Simons, the 7th, and the 14th. I love the rockets but there’s no way Portland does that without asking for more.
That would be incredibly terrible for the Blazers
Hope we can get Alex Sarr
W!!
What kind of package do you think it takes to get Bridges? The Nets have reportedly turned down offers of multiple firsts so I'm just curious what you think that Trade would look like.
Watching it now. 🚀
Looking forward to the Kings video
Fire thumbnail
Reed Sheppard? Too small
I like Adem Bona too
I’m between Castle and Reed. Just wish that Reed was like 2 or 3 inches taller or a longer ws
We share nearly the same opinions about my Houston Rockets draft board and offseason I’ve been watching Bronny closely since he was probably 14 and he really just plays the game the right way he’s young and his athleticism and unselfishness I think really offsets his offensive woes Bronny James is getting drafted to shut down 1-2s in this league could make it easier for a Jalen Green Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore to get it going and Adem Bona I think I have at 39 on my big board I love him especially what he showcased at the combine dream get at 44 I also like Bronny there Djurisic,AJ Johnson,Melvin Frazier , and Ajay Mitchell would be so great to experiment with turning Amen into a 3
Sheldon, I sure hope you are right that the Rockets take Reed and I liked your list of other choices. I have to agree with the top three, but I think Dillingham and Castle are irrelevant.
I am even okay with the Knecht idea if Reed is not available, but he is a SF, not a playmaker and who's PT is he going to take?
I would want Knecht over Bridges for sure. I wish peeps would drop the Bridges to Rockets takes. I do not see it happening...I my opinion you are over-valuing Bridges.
Please anybody but Bronny...I do not want that circus on the Rockets. His dad will want to interfere and the Media would be nutz.
Nobody the Rockets take at #3 is going to get real playing time this year. If the roster and minutes allocation remains fundamentally unchanged, there are 33 backup minutes per game at the forward spots. Tari Eason will get the lion share of those. Maybe as many as 30 minutes a game. Amen and Cam Whitmore will get what is left.
At the guard positions, there are 28 backup minutes available. Those will have to be split between Amen and Cam too. And hell, they're talking about potentially bringing in guys like Malik Beasley.
And of course, at center, the Rockets have Steven Adams and Jock Landale.
So if you expect their pick to get significant playing time this season you're going to be disappointed.
@@keeping_it_realty I am definitely looking long-term. FVV and Udoka will fit Reed as Reed will fit the Rockets. Reed is just turning 20yo and will need time to develop into their future PG to go along with Amen...plus Sengun will give them 3 different styles (all young) of playmakers, which I think is super important for their future as their core 3...then they can plug and play around them for 15...16 or so years. I sure hope the Rocket can get Reed.
I also think the Rockets will move on from JG...most defiantly if his efficiency does not improve this season. I would trade him for future draft capital (2028-2031...say 2-first, 2-swaps & 4-seconds) before extending him...that means the trade deadline. Yes, I know JG potential, but I think Cam will be a better SG. The Rockets cannot keep all the young core players. I hope they do this sooner than later. It will also define the direction of the team and free-up minutes. Plus, having Cam as an efficient SG option on a cheap 3-year contract is hard to block from reality. In addition, I love Cam's size...for it and Amen's size will keep Reed on the floor in this complementary 3 guard rotation.
As far as all the talk...it happens every year. A lot of exploring and rumors out there. I just don't see them taking on another major contract. I doubt that the Rockets are interested in Malik Beasley's past problems after ridding themselves of KPJ. Besides, Stone has repeatedly said that THEY love their players.
Adams is their big addition for this summer. Getting Adams is also a big indicator that the Rockets are committed to Brooks. Pairing them up again is a bonus that they cannot get with bringing in a different SF and he is another veteran presence that can mentor Sengun and the frontline. Plus, Adams and Landale gives the Rockets a lot of options on the frontline, which I like a lot. MOF, I hope they can resign Adams...I love his physical style of play.
Keep the rockets content going we fuck w u
I think Houston can stay at 3 and get Sarr. San Antonio is supposedly offering the 4 and 8 picks for the top pick to take Risacher. If Atlanta decides to not trade the pick, there is a rumor that they love clingan.
Again, that’s not gospel. Just a rumor. If San Antonio can’t get 1, the thought is that they would offer Washington the same thing. They supposedly want Risacher that bad so that would leave Sarr for Houston in that scenario
🚀🚀
New Jersey is only going to trade Bridges for (1) another star that will let them be playoff contenders or (2) multiple lottery-range draft picks. They're not going to accept lowball or even fair value offers because that would mean the worst near-term future result for them - a mediocre to bad team with no future picks.
So if the Rockets want him, New Jersey is going to ask for all their picks/pick swaps back and probably one of our young talents as well. Would that be an overpay? Probably, but that's the price we'll have to pay to get him.
Honestly, there really isn't a star out there that the Rockets should trade for, look at the past every time we traded for a star it always back fired. Bridges is a great player but hes not a star, he's a role player and the trade would be very one sided the Nets would walk away with a W while we walked away with just a role player. Keep the pick and draft either Sheppard, Clingan or Buzelis, its the safest thing to do and we get to watch out players grow. Now there is 2 players I do believe should be traded especially since they've both been very inconsistent and mediocre thats JG and Jabari. JG has his flashes but flashes dont mean crap, he's inconsistent and finally when the szn is almost over he wants to ball out. Then theres Jabari who has missed free throws in crucial moments and we eneded up losing bc he couldnt make at least one shot. Its pathetic. Anyways great vid, sorry for the rant.
If they smart they’ll draft Rob
bridges was in 34th percentile on craftedDPM last year, his defense is so overrated. We have Eason and Amen who are several tiers better on D than Bridges
Steven Adams is on the rockets btw
I’m aware
Kyle Filipowski in 2 nd rd
Izan almansa withdrew his name no ?
This^
Did he??? I missed that completely if so. Always the worst part of this process. Do you have the source?
@@UtilitySports yeah I’ll tag you on Twitter
Tyler Smith
Reed only averaged 8 FGA’s per game…many of which were uncontested. He’s going to have a hard time getting his shot off and making it to the rim on the NBA level. Stone would be a fool to spend the #3 pick on him.
He wouldn’t be a better prospect simply by forcing bad shots. He’s an efficient player because he constantly takes what the defense allows. Similar to Mike Conley in that way
@@UtilitySports
Making contested shots is how you judge a player. Many of Reeds shots were wide open. Heck, Rob had more contested shots than Reed.
Also, his lack of shots is worrisome. We knew Curry was a great shooter coming out of college because he averaged 9 three point attempts per game (Reed only 4). We know Dalton is a great shooter because he averaged 6 three point attempts per game and over 70% of his shots were contested.
Stone would be an absolute fool to burn that pick on Reed after his last two draft picks.
Promise you Reed is better than Knecht
@@UtilitySports
No he’s not. Go watch the Tennessee vs Kentucky game where Dalton put up 40. You’re trippin’.
Didn’t realize we were drafting for college basketball
draft Bronny James at No. 44, and trade to the Lakers for more assets lmao
Reed played in a season with no standout athletes. When he get to the NBA he gon be chopped cheese. you better not pick a 6 foot tall white dude with the third pick.
I personally think picking Sheppard at 3 is a massive disappointment. The Rockets can grab a shooter in free agency.
Dillingham shot 45% from 3 & is a better pick n roll handler.
Reed defense look super overrated wingspan is something you need as a smaller guard. WIth all the deficiencies you mentioned I dnt understand how he is a top 3 prospect.
Mid to late 1st rounder yes.
3 overall hell nahh.
Id rather have Knect or Cody Williams.
@QPac_
Reed only averaged 8 FGA per game…many of which were uncontested. Way too risky to burn a lottery pick on him.
Dalton would be the BPA for the Rockets.
@slickrick8046 Fact G.
Maybe if he was the go to guy & still was putting insane efficiency different story.
Dude can ball tho just not #3 pick.
@@QPac_
We’re having the same issues with Jabari who got a lot of wide open one dribble pull-ups in college.