It’s been a bit since our last mailbag, so let’s open it up one last time before the season ends. You’ve got questions on Eric Gordon, John Wall, Sterling Brown, the Fertittas and more. I’ve got answers. Here we go.
What do you think the future of Eric Gordon is with the Rockets? — @lebrontevideo
I think this is a good place to start.
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We haven’t heard much from about Gordon since sustaining a groin injury last month, aside from regurgitation of the same, “still a ways away, recovering” status.
Right now, he’s on the books for at least two more seasons (2023-24 is a non-guaranteed year worth $20.9 million). I think they should hold onto him. Gordon’s absence hasn’t been discussed as much as some of the other guys on the roster, but there’s no doubt that he was enjoying a fine season before going down.
Holding on to him doesn’t mean you can’t play the field and see what you can get for him, though. Gordon loves Houston and is on reasonable money, but he should still hold value around the league as a legit scoring option who can handle playmaking duties, is defensively versatile and can flat-out shoot it. Gordon is still one of my candidates to get shopped during the upcoming draft because that’s just good business (maybe dangle Gordon together with the Portland pick?), but I think he can help Houston in this new phase. After all, one of the Rockets’ biggest issues was finding a suitable sixth man and Gordon remains one of the league’s best. If you’re head coach Stephen Silas, you want to hang on to talent like that.
Any chance that the Rockets package their picks for a shot at a proven star if they don’t get a top-four pick? — @a_duckett
Aha. The dreaded Tankathon simulation.
What happens if, after 72 games of pain and suffering, the Rockets are not rewarded with a top-four pick in the draft?
Well, there would be absolute chaos in the Rockets Twitter streets, but I don’t think Houston’s front office would show that same level of panic. The Rockets would still have three first-round picks and a few players on their roster who appeal to opposing teams. So, to answer your question, yes, expect the Rockets to get creative in the trade realm should something like that occur.
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I teased it in the first question, but draft capital’s stock should be rising — especially in this year’s crop. Dangling three firsts on the table should be a conversation starter to most NBA teams. GM Rafael Stone takes scouting very seriously, and opting for win-now talent is simply a matter of opportunity cost.
How does Houston see Sterling Brown? Are they so very willing to keep (him)? — @BrasilJae
This is just an unfortunate situation no matter which way you look at it.
The Rockets fancy Sterling Brown. There’s a reason they hung on to him during the trade deadline despite interest from teams. He was having his best shooting season by a country mile (42.3 percent from 3 on 4.2 attempts a game). He’s served as a tenacious defender, an important voice in the locker room and a leader for the plethora of young talent on the roster.
But the situation that took place in Miami is bad. Incredibly bad.
I’m sure you have seen the newest video that surfaced of Brown speaking to police. (If you haven’t, don’t go hunting for it if you’re not good with blood; there is a lot of it.) The most important thing is Brown is alive and recovering because that may not have been the case had that night gone slightly different.
So, what about his future? If you’re a general manager or owner, there are certain things that supersede on-court production — this is one of them.
Brown is a good player and a good person who made a bad judgment call. I don’t think his time in the league is done; he’s only 26. But he signed in Houston on a one-year veteran’s minimum, and it might be done as a Rocket.
Are the Rockets gearing towards a full multi-year rebuild? Or is Stone & the front office looking to get back into immediate contention via lottery pick/offseason trade for a Star similar to Morey after the post-Yao/T-Mac Years? — @yOthrill
I don’t think Stone and company envision a 76ers-style rebuild that takes a couple of seasons to get back to contention. The Rockets have been one of the league’s most consistent teams over the last decade. But that doesn’t mean it won’t take them a while to get back to the top.
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It also depends on what level you’re talking about getting back to. If it’s to make the back end of the playoffs/play-in tournament, I could see that in a year if their offseason goes to plan. If you’re talking about Western Conference finals stuff? Yeah, that might take some time.
I only say this because the rest of the NBA is getting better by the day. Hell, look at the teams in Houston’s own division. Dallas has Luka Doncic, who is going to be a thorn in Houston’s side for a while. The Spurs has Dejounte Murray, Jakob Poeltl, DeMar DeRozan and an interesting blend of youth and experience that has them above .500 Memphis has exciting young players for days. And who can forget about Zion Williamson in New Orleans?
None of those teams are even real contenders. You still have to worry about the Clippers, Lakers, Nuggets, Jazz — the list goes on and on. If Stone can swing the right trade for someone in the offseason or get lucky in the draft, that timeline obviously speeds up some. But odds are this will take some real patience from Rockets fans.
Any chance that Wall is either bought out or traded this summer? A trade would require attaching picks, of course — @td139523
I’ll have more on this coming in a deep dive on the whole Wall situation, but a buyout seems extremely unlikely in my personal opinion. Wall is owed north of $90 million over the next two seasons. If you’re Houston, what’s the point in going that route? Even if Wall were to play ball and give back a reasonable amount, are you that desperate to move off him when he hasn’t even played poorly since returning from a long-term injury?
The irony, of course, is that Wall is currently hurt again — out with a Grade 2 hamstring tear. I think a trade is more likely, but then again, you’re stuck with the issue of finding a market for him. The Russell Westbrook swap was one where both teams were in a prime spot to make that trade, but I just don’t see his value as being robust around the league. (New York would be my sleeper spot for a team desperate enough for continued success to take on bad money for a household name.)
But, again, Wall isn’t bad!
Are there any more Fertittas other than Patrick involved in the running of the organization? — @NathanFogg1
I know Patrick has a brother, Michael, who is involved in some capacity but not one nearly as prominent as Patrick. Michael is 29 now. Tilman’s other two children, Blake and Blayne aren’t involved, at least to my knowledge.
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What’s one word to describe this Rockets season? — @RoboHarrisJr
“Mess.” A big, fat, injury-riddled mess.
You just have to feel for Silas, right? Talk about a start to your head coaching career: Your star player forces his way out, everyone else gets hurt and you lose more times than you can keep track of.
On the flip side, maybe Jae’Sean Tate doesn’t take the strides he has. Maybe Kevin Porter Jr. never makes it to Houston. There are a ton of things that could have made this season different, but overall, it’s been bad.
(Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
