After the failure of an expansion negotiation before the 2019-2020 NBA season, Mike D’Antoni would move to the Houston Rockets, at least that was the rumor of many league officials. The official resolution would possibly have come after 4-1. loss in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers, but it was inevitable.
What we also know is that the Rockets have a very hefty list of $119. 6 million committed to their five starters next season: Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Robert Covington, PJTucker and James Harden. Will the next coach get at least a number 4?Seed and some exit from another time from the same group, or that limited good fortune product of D’Antoni’s system?
It turns out that the general manager, Daryl Morey, will have the opportunity to answer this question.
“Daryl Morey’s task is certain, and I’m sure he will elect the right head coach,” Rockets Gov. Tilman Fertitta said Tuesday at CNBC (h/t Tim MacMahon of ESPN). Fertitta gave Morey a five-year extension in 2019, which may influence the governor’s decision to stop him.
“Fertitta will pay [Morey for the next 4 years] and a replacement,” said a former Western Conference leader. “But this will be Morey’s last training rental [in Houston]. I promise you. “
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that “there have been rumors in training circles for weeks that the Rockets would be strongly with Jeff Van Gundy” to upgrade D’Antoni.
“James [Harden] doesn’t play for [Van Gundy],” the former executive said. “It’s a league of players. Array. . . [Van Gundy] is going to need to exercise every day. “
Los Angeles Clippers assistant Sam Cassell has had very goodwill in Houston since his victorious days. Alvin Gentry, who succeeded as Phoenix’s head coach shortly after D’Antoni, is perhaps the closest to style.
“I don’t think Gentry is [as] excessive as [D’Antoni in small ball training],” said an East Conference official.
NBA resources also have other candidates, such as Kenny Atkinson, Chris Finch, Ime Udoka and David Vanterpool.
“They talked about a more defensive coach before hiring Mike,” said an East Conference executive in a moment.
It’s probably one step closer than the Rockets are in a position to go. Harden helps keep the Rockets on national television and in the playoffs. There are several groups available, Westbrook, but they have not gained any indication from Houston that Harden is somewhat untouchable.
“Everything has to be on the table, Harden’s move,” the east conference executive said.
But separating Harden and Westbrook is still simple.
The Golden State Warriors are looking to return to the festival next season, but would they get Westbrook in a package that starts with Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney?Aside from the loss of the 3 years and the remaining $132. 6 million in Westbrook’s contract (last season is a $47. 1 million player option), would that do anything for Houston?
“I think we all realize that Harden and Westbrook don’t adapt perfectly to others,” said the executive leader of the East Conference. “But I think they might have to go ahead with those two and keep looking to build the list around them. “
“The Knicks [in New York] may be one of the only groups that may be suitable for Westbrook,” the executive continued. “I don’t know if there are others. “
New York has significant flexibility this offse, whether with caps or industry veterans such as Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Julius Randle, Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock, as well as young clients such as Dennis Smith Jr. , Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox. The Knicks can give Houston depth, while the Rockets can give New York a head of the lineup in Westbrook.
Other groups could also be Westbrook. Maybe the Indiana Pacers would be wonderful if they blew up their wonderful male couples from Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. Houston can simply climb length in the middle with Turner, who is not afraid to shoot from afar (with Jeremy Lamb and Doug McDermott they committed to wage compensation).
Indiana will have to defeat Oladipo’s fate soon enough. Is Westbrook’s big salary up to 2022-23 a greater short-term investment for Pacers than Oladipo on a four- or five-year maximum contract from 2021-22?Indiana as an unrestricted loose agent after next season?
It’s about the NBA. The entire league awaits giannis Antetokounmpo’s fate with the Milwaukee Bucks, few groups likely Westbrook until they know they don’t have a chance at Antetokounmpo, at this point, possibly Oladipo would be the next most productive goal.
Even then, Oklahoma City Thunder goalkeeper Chris Paul is probably a more desirable advertising target than Westbrook. Paul, who is owed two years and $85. 5 million (including a $44. 2 million player option in 2021-22), “has been reincarnated in a commodity. “said a Western Conference official.
Rockets have several decisions to make. Morey has a long-term contract and a passionate philosophy of basketball. Losing to James and the Lakers is probably not to undermine their beliefs. Westbrook’s long term is uncertain, however, Morey would possibly have to make incremental adjustments in the short term given his contract.
With regard to harden’s explosion and trade?
“[Harden] holds a fair record. Take part in the playoffs every year, at least in the round of the moment. This revenue is priceless,” said former Western Conference leader. “He won 35 games alone. LeBron, who’s doing this?Steph [Curry]? Maybe 4 other boys. “
Most groups would love to be as competitive as rockets in each and every season, even if they can’t make it to the final. It may not be simple or in the end successful, but Morey will probably have more time to perfect his Houston Experience.
Email Eric Pincus for eric. pincus@gmail. com and him on Twitter, @EricPincus.