Cr
crossing the Eurosteppes on the Ginobili trail has its attractions.
crossing the Eurosteppes on the Ginobili trail has its attractions.
The takeaway here:Start with RJ Barrett, the highest draft pick on their roster (no. 3 in 2019). He’s a 6-foot-6 slasher who is at his best when he can get into the lane and kick the ball out to shooters. His difficult rookie season, in which he averaged 14.3 points on 40.2 percent shooting and 2.6 assists per game, exposed some holes in his game. He’s not a great 3-point shooter (32.0 percent on 3.5 attempts per game), and doesn’t have the touch or athleticism to finish through crowds. Barrett needs more space to operate than the Knicks gave him last season. They were 27th in 3-point percentage and 29th in attempts.
That is unlikely to change much this season. Barrett is slated to start next to three non-shooters in Elfrid Payton, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson. There will not be much room for him to run pick-and-rolls and maximize his skill set. Instead, he will have to spend a lot of time spotting up on the perimeter and taking tough shots off the dribble. That’s no way to build his value around the league.
Then they add Obi Toppin, which again exacerbates roster issues and may prevent their lottery pick from being able to flourish:Barrett’s stock was higher coming out of Duke than it is after one season in New York. The Knicks essentially drove a brand-new car off the lot and ran it into a ditch.
Tjarks contrasts the Knicks with the Thunder. Not only have they amassed a boatload of picks, but even outside of that, they reshaped their roster to accommodate SGA and his style of play:The best way for Toppin to be as effective in the NBA is to play the same role that he had at Dayton. That won’t happen in New York. He’ll be playing with two rim-running big men in Robinson and Nerlens Noel, and a pair of ball-dominant forwards in Randle and Barrett. There won’t be as much space for him to play in the paint, either. He will have to stretch his game on the perimeter. That will mean taking more 3s and creating shots for himself and others off the dribble. Toppin might be able to do that in time, but it’s hard for a player to drastically change their game while adjusting to a higher level of competition. Asking players to be something they are not is a quick way to create busts.
Add to this the idea of getting veterans that aren't fighting for their next contract, something Celtics fans can sympathize with:Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the centerpiece of the Paul George trade haul, will move into a featured role after excelling in a complementary one (19.0 points on 47.1 percent shooting and 3.3 assists per game) alongside Chris Paul and Dennis Schröder last season. SGA is a better shooter than Barrett, but like the Knicks forward, he’s more effective when he can slash to the rim. The Thunder traded for shooters like Al Horford, George Hill, and Ty Jerome to space the floor for him. Their primary goal in moving Paul, Schröder, and Steven Adams was to acquire future draft picks, but they also wound up with players who complement their best prospect.
What all this makes me think of is the Hinkie era. Hinkie was absolutely right about certain things, like bottoming out being preferable to being on the treadmill of mediocrity and focusing on acquiring and maximizing assets, but what he didn't do was maximize those assets once they were on his roster. Drafting centers three straight drafts was a great way to kill whatever value Okafor and Noel had, hurting the team both on the court and in its value acquisition process. He should have sold higher and earlier on those guys if Embiid was ultimately the one to build around.Not only does Horford provide a respected locker-room presence, but he’s a 34-year-old on a massive contract who knows that he will not get another one. There’s no incentive for him to rack up big individual stats. He needs to be his usual reliable self both on and off the court if he wants a contender to pick him up again. It was the same situation that Paul was in last season. That dynamic works the other way for Randle. He’s a 26-year-old who is still trying to prove himself. He hasn’t even entered his prime. It’s not in his best interest to take a step back and let younger players shine.
THE HOUSTON ROCKETS' culture in the James Harden era, which bridges two owners and now four head coaches, might be best summed up by a former staffer's three words:
"Whatever James wants."
Unless they were on the front end of a back-to-back set, it was essentially a sure thing that the Rockets stayed overnight -- or even an extra day -- after games in Los Angeles, Phoenix and other road cities that rank among Harden's favorite stops.
If the Rockets had two or three days between games, it was a good bet Harden would call for an off day and charter a private jet to party in Las Vegas or another city. He always gets an excused absence from the first practice after the All-Star break for the same reason.
Harden has pushed the Rockets to upgrade every offseason, saying he would want to be traded if they couldn't contend, sources said. And he had final say on things beyond just travel and practice schedules as well. He could call the shots on personnel moves, both on the roster and the coaching staff, a power he flexed to push for the firing of head coach Kevin McHale and departures of co-stars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, sources said.
"Yeah, he's going to act up," a former Rockets staffer said.
"He's never heard 'no' before."
"If they have multiple days off, everybody knows: James is going to fly somewhere else and party," a member of last season's coaching staff said. "But he's going to come back and have a 50-point triple-double, so they're OK with it."
One of Paul's biggest beefs, sources said, was that Harden basically opted not to participate in the Rockets' offense when the ball wasn't in his hands, sometimes barely stepping over half court while spectating when Paul had the ball. Harden quickly tired of Paul barking about his concerns, which included lobbying coach Mike D'Antoni to implement more structure and movement in an offensive system that revolved around Harden's isolations, sources said.
Harden insisted the Rockets get the deal done, saying he'd demand a trade if they didn't find a way to bring his childhood friend and former OKC teammate to Houston, sources said. The Rockets paid a price that was considered steep at the time -- Paul, 2024 and 2026 first-round picks, and swap rights in 2021 and 2025.
HOUSTON'S CASUAL CULTURE appalled Westbrook. In Oklahoma City, despite the fact that he enjoyed the same sort of superstar privileges as Harden has had in Houston, the Thunder operated with the discipline of a military unit under Westbrook's watch. The Rockets were a stark contrast, especially last season under D'Antoni, who was never known as a disciplinarian and who was a lame duck in the last year of his contract after extension negotiations infamously fizzled twice over the summer.
Westbrook didn't tolerate tardiness. With the Rockets, scheduled departure times were treated as mere suggestions by Harden and others.
"Nothing ever starts on time," a former Rockets staffer said. "The plane is always late. The bus is never on time. ... It's just an organized AAU team."
On one occasion in the Florida bubble, Harden waited to get his daily COVID-19 testing until just before the Rockets' film session was scheduled to start. When he wasn't on time, Westbrook barked, "Start the film! Start without him!" D'Antoni explained that they'd just have to start over when Harden arrived, which didn't do much to calm Westbrook.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30528130/james-harden-houston-rockets-breaking-point"You can't get mad at your kid if you let him eat candy every night and then suddenly one night you don't and they throw a tantrum," an ex-Houston assistant coach said. "You're the one who let them eat candy every night.
"The Rockets turned the organization over to James, and now they have to live with the fallout."
There’s also Larry Legend Stealaway, on the opposite side of Havlicek‘s Steal Away, with elevations noted.
I love that Westbrook, who sometimes seems ridiculously out of control ON the court, is like that off the court.Oof, the knives are out for Harden, this reads like a piece the Globe would publish after the Sox have a messy personnel departure:
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30528130/james-harden-houston-rockets-breaking-point
A lot of "former" staff or front office folks quoted, so I don't think it's so much a coordinated effort from the current management, didn't mean to imply that. But a lot of seemingly unhappy folks who used to be with the team willing to let the stories out at this point.Why would Houston go knives out for Harden when they’re trying to maximize trade value?
Yeah, remember, they just got a new GM and a new coach, there has been a lot of turnover there, so plenty of people with no reason not to talk.A lot of "former" staff or front office folks quoted, so I don't think it's so much a coordinated effort from the current management, didn't mean to imply that. But a lot of seemingly unhappy folks who used to be with the team willing to let the stories out at this point.
Because they're working for Philly now?Why would Houston go knives out for Harden when they’re trying to maximize trade value?
That would have been Boston had they managed to keep Kyrie from leaving via free agency.Oof, the knives are out for Harden, this reads like a piece the Globe would publish after the Sox have a messy personnel departure:
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30528130/james-harden-houston-rockets-breaking-point
Reports were HOU wanted Simmons and multiple first round picks. Wonder if they settle on Simmons and a couple highly protected picks.View: https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1339714292682280960?s=21
Per Shams, Philly has made Simmons available in some Harden trade packages but “conversations aren’t fluid as of now.”
I think that fit is pretty decent honestly. Wall is an inconsistent 3pt shooter, but he's a willing one, and if Wall is back, that's a filthy defensive backcourt. I like Wall and Simmons as my 2 guys to build around a lot more than Simmons and Embiid as far as fit (now talent and age is a different thing), add in Wood, Gordon, McLemore, even Brown and Tucker can shoot.Can Houston really do better than Simmons?
Also lol at Ben Simmons and John Wall playing together.
No chance. And they know this, but they are trying to squeeze a pick or two from Philly. If anything, Philly should be getting a pick from Houston. Simmons might be the best piece ever coming back in a superstar trade (in terms of value at time of trade, which eliminates the Brooklyn picks).Can Houston really do better than Simmons?
I think it depends. Simmons is the best single player right now that they are likely to get back, but I don't know that a Simmons package is necessarily the best package.No chance. And they know this, but they are trying to squeeze a pick or two from Philly. If anything, Philly should be getting a pick from Houston. Simmons might be the best piece ever coming back in a superstar trade (in terms of value at time of trade, which eliminates the Brooklyn picks).
The chances of either of those packages yielding even one all star appearance have to be less than 50%, maybe way less; Simmons has already made it twice and will only be be 24 this year. Guys as good and as young as him are almost never available in these deals, there is no way they could take another offer is he is truly on the table.I think it depends. Simmons is the best single player right now that they are likely to get back, but I don't know that a Simmons package is necessarily the best package.
There are cases for a deal built around MPJ/Barton/Harris/1sts or Wiseman/Wiggins/Wolves pick + being better overall returns.
I don't think the BRK or MIA many pieces trades are likely in the same class. Siakam+ from TOR is decent but I think Simmons is clearly better.
I dunno. Simmons is already a top 20 player. All those other deals might yield more value but they’re a ton riskier. You never know what picks you’ll get and what players you’ll get with those picks. We were all fired up about the SAC and MEM picks and they turned out to be Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith.I think it depends. Simmons is the best single player right now that they are likely to get back, but I don't know that a Simmons package is necessarily the best package.
There are cases for a deal built around MPJ/Barton/Harris/1sts or Wiseman/Wiggins/Wolves pick + being better overall returns.
I don't think the BRK or MIA many pieces trades are likely in the same class. Siakam+ from TOR is decent but I think Simmons is clearly better.
I think there is a case, and a big part of it is.... will Simmons continue to refuse to take 3s.The chances of either of those packages yielding even one all star appearance have to be less than 50%, maybe way less; Simmons has already made it twice and will only be be 24 this year. Guys as good and as young as him are almost never available in these deals, there is no way they could take another offer is he is truly on the table.
Harden wants out and players seem to get what they want these days.Yeah I'm not seeing the rush to swap out a guy who has made 1st team All-NBA 6 times in the last 7 seasons and also finishing top 3 in the MVP voting 5 times in 6 seasons for Ben Simmons, the worst shooting wing in the league. Harden may be nearing the end of his prime while Simmons is just coming up on his, but unless Simmons develops an outside shot (not looking very likely), his absolute ceiling is 2nd team All-NBA, with nothing more than incremental improvements forthcoming. With Harden (signed for 2 more years plus a massive player option) they are still a solid 2nd tier title contender. Swap him out for Simmons, I don't even think they are a playoff team. Waiting to see if a better option opens up (or to bleed a bunch of picks from Philly) is absolutely the correct course. What's the rush?
Sure, but they usually don't get it with this much time left on their contract, and that means they can afford to be picky. Especially once he showed up for preseason games.Harden wants out and players seem to get what they want these days.
He is still a helluva player, but considering his historic inability to shoot from the outside, he's never going to approach Harden's current (or near future) production. In today's NBA it's difficult to succeed with more than 1 player on the court who can't hit open 3s, so while it's true that he's miscast alongside Embiid, he's going to be a rough fit in many lineups. The only way for him to reach his ceiling is to build a team around him, and while there are certainly teams that would like to build around a player who just finished 59th in ppg (just behind Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Morris), I don't think anyone should be all that excited about giving up a perennial MVP candidate (and arguably the best half court offensive player in the league) for the privilege. This is also ignoring his troubling end to this past season (nerve, back and knee issues for a 23 year old?) and his near total lack of improvement over his career.The lack of jumper from Simmons is a big question mark, and it isn't just three pointers, he basically doesn't shoot at all outside of 15 feet. The fact that he has seemingly refused to take them despite the fact that everyone seems to agree that he would be a better player if he did take those shots is very alarming.
However, he is still an incredible player despite that glaring weakness, and he has not been put in the best position to succeed in Philadelphia. Even if the jumper never comes, he needs to play as a 4 or a 5, who can also handle the ball in transition, and be used as a screener and roll-guy, who can playmake from the elbows. He can't do that with Embiid and he certainly couldn't do it with Embiid AND Horford on the court with him. In another environment I would expect him to go up another level, and he is already pretty damn good.
Honestly if Simmons and a pick is the best that they can do they should attempt to steer Simmons to OKC for draft capital and just finish the demolition.He is still a helluva player, but considering his historic inability to shoot from the outside, he's never going to approach Harden's current (or near future) production. In today's NBA it's difficult to succeed with more than 1 player on the court who can't hit open 3s, so while it's true that he's miscast alongside Embiid, he's going to be a rough fit in many lineups. The only way for him to reach his ceiling is to build a team around him, and while there are certainly teams that would like to build around a player who just finished 59th in ppg (just behind Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Morris), I don't think anyone should be all that excited about giving up a perennial MVP candidate (and arguably the best half court offensive player in the league) for the privilege. This is also ignoring his troubling end to this past season (nerve, back and knee issues for a 23 year old?) and his near total lack of improvement over his career.
He's already an all-star, but a player with his limitations just won't ever be an alpha on a title contender. Houston has time, and should hold out for more. If Simmons is the best player they can get, that means draft picks to ease their rebuild.
I really really like Simmons, and at first I thought it was crazy to think that he couldn't be the centerpiece of this deal.Honestly if Simmons and a pick is the best that they can do they should attempt to steer Simmons to OKC for draft capital and just finish the demolition.
And to pile on it goes beyond the lack of a jump shot. He also sucks at free throws. If your team’s primary ball handler can’t be trusted to hit a FT in the waning seconds of a close game you’ve got a problem. His FT% had been improving each season however last season was .621 which is not good.The lack of jumper from Simmons is a big question mark, and it isn't just three pointers, he basically doesn't shoot at all outside of 15 feet. The fact that he has seemingly refused to take them despite the fact that everyone seems to agree that he would be a better player if he did take those shots is very alarming.
Disagree here. He is someone you absolutely can build around, especially considering he has defensive player of the year potential. Maybe a team centered around him doesn't have championship aspirations, but a team of Simmons and a whole bunch of 3 and D guys is something I would love to see.he is not an alpha and given that he is a complementary player and not a centerpiece that a team can be built around.
You may be right and I’m not well enough versed in the NBA outside of the Celtics to see it. It would be interesting to figure out who would be on that team and how the pieces would fit including salaries. It could be that I’m biased by seeing the last few versions of the 76ers where the sum of the parts appears to me to be less than it should be. Maybe it’s as simple as Simmons and Embiid are not a good pairing.Disagree here. He is someone you absolutely can build around, especially considering he has defensive player of the year potential. Maybe a team centered around him doesn't have championship aspirations, but a team of Simmons and a whole bunch of 3 and D guys is something I would love to see.
A team like Houston shouldn't worry about if Simmons is a good enough player to be the best guy on a title team. They're in a full rebuild so they just need to add pieces and Simmons seems like the best realistic piece they can potentially acquire. I think the best way to maximize Simmons' skills is to put him at C or PF and just build a team full of switchable wings and shooters around him. His lack of shooting will probably never be fixed so you need to mitigate that as best you can by having multiple shooters out there to spread out the defense and open up the paint. You also need a secondary ball handler who can get to the rim when it slows down into a half court game, where Simmons' lack of shooting really becomes a hindrance. I do think the Simmons/Embiid pairing is a little awkward.You may be right and I’m not well enough versed in the NBA outside of the Celtics to see it. It would be interesting to figure out who would be on that team and how the pieces would fit including salaries. It could be that I’m biased by seeing the last few versions of the 76ers where the sum of the parts appears to me to be less than it should be. Maybe it’s as simple as Simmons and Embiid are not a good pairing.
I’m not sure that DPOY potential translates to players I would want to build a team around. Going back through winners from the past ten years certainly Giannis and Kawhi are alphas but Gobert, Green, Noah, Gasol, Chandler and Howard feel more like complementary pieces. Of course none of those guys are 6’10” PGs and Simmons is unique. I keep coming back to if Simmons is your best player it is unlikely that your team is going to win a championship.
See I disagree with this in part. Yes you want prime assets, BUT, you also want upside and the chance at a #1 on a title team. The Heat deal is a case of a lot of less assets, but something like a MPJ deal in particular is less so, because it also involves a prime asset, one that is younger and has the potential to be better than Simmons, AND it involves really good other assets.Whether you keep Simmons is a separate question from whether you do the deal, though.
Houston's future with Simmons is a lot more interetsing than with Harden given age and motivation.
The idea that a collection of less-valuable assets aggregate to more than Simmons is neither likely nor consistent with the history of these deals. You want to get a prime asset back, and the only case for not getting the single best asset you're offered is if there's a big difference in pick value (like the OKC Westbrook level of picks). Most picks, and most young players, don't develop. Simmons, for his flaws, already has.
The first part of your post is important and I think some people are missing that this is about getting equal value to Harden in a trade; unless they are flipping Harden for LeBron, Giannis, Kawhi, etc. they will not be getting equal value for him since he is clearly a top five player in the NBA. It is about getting pieces back and hopefully being able to attract future players to Houston; and having a young all-star, even one with obvious flaws, is a great place to start.A team like Houston shouldn't worry about if Simmons is a good enough player to be the best guy on a title team. They're in a full rebuild so they just need to add pieces and Simmons seems like the best realistic piece they can potentially acquire. I think the best way to maximize Simmons' skills is to put him at C or PF and just build a team full of switchable wings and shooters around him. His lack of shooting will probably never be fixed so you need to mitigate that as best you can by having multiple shooters out there to spread out the defense and open up the paint. You also need a secondary ball handler who can get to the rim when it slows down into a half court game, where Simmons' lack of shooting really becomes a hindrance. I do think the Simmons/Embiid pairing is a little awkward.
There's also a Larry Legend Lake near the Havlicek Steal Away.There’s also Larry Legend Stealaway, on the opposite side of Havlicek‘s Steal Away, with elevations noted.
I haven’t found a reference to Cousy. Or, worse, to George Mikan. I mean, there’s a Mount Mutombo but not a Mt. Mikan? That’s a massive miss. Also missing Maya Moore, if I’m not mistaken (not in the UConn territory that I can see).
You are way higher on MPJ than I am, well at least the version I saw in the DEN-LAL playoff series last year. Yes he can score and rebound but defensively, he was basically unplayable a lot of time (which is why he only played over 22 minutes once). It wasn't that he wasn't trying; it was almost as if he had no idea how to play defense, and that includes both on-ball and off-ball.See I disagree with this in part. Yes you want prime assets, BUT, you also want upside and the chance at a #1 on a title team. The Heat deal is a case of a lot of less assets, but something like a MPJ deal in particular is less so, because it also involves a prime asset, one that is younger and has the potential to be better than Simmons, AND it involves really good other assets.
Beyond that... HOU isn't in a teardown, which is incredibly rare for a team trading a top 10 player, so they also want to look at what lets them have an extended window, because that team is not set up to tank at all.
Wall, Cousins, Wood, Gordon, Tucker, Barton, Harris, MPJ is a really good team, and arguably it is a better team than adding Simmons instead of the last 3. That team needs MPJ to get shots up, and it can afford for him to be mediocre on defense. That team with Simmons is less clear... the spacing might be okay, it might not, but then you're depending on Wall to be your real #1, and you still have the "what do I do with a guy who can't hit FTs or shoot in crunch time, but derives his offensive value from having the ball" issue with Simmons. MPJ on the other hand... you give him the ball and let him cook in crunch time.
The trick is you want to get one asset that is moderately known and has top end potential. Simmons is a top end player, but there are concerns about the type of player he is and what if any ceiling is left. MPJ is less proven, but he's shown a lot in one year, and his ceiling and play type is right in line with what you want from your #1 guy.
Have you taken a stroll in the Payton Pritchard thread lately?MPJ might be the most overrated player on Earth right now.
I'm not sure posters mostly being like "This dude might be able to stick in the NBA" in that thread is on the same level as "I'd rather have MPJ than Ben Simmons." The Nuggets and their fanbase and Nuggets sympathetic media people hype their players almost as much as the Lakers and the Knicks, it's wild. Not to say that MPJ couldn't possibly be a good player, but if he never learns to play defense he's like Brandon Ingram or something. Simmons is already better than that, absent any improvement with his shooting, or moving to a team that can construct itself around his specific flaws.Have you taken a stroll in the Payton Pritchard thread lately?
I think two places I'd see differently.See I disagree with this in part. Yes you want prime assets, BUT, you also want upside and the chance at a #1 on a title team. The Heat deal is a case of a lot of less assets, but something like a MPJ deal in particular is less so, because it also involves a prime asset, one that is younger and has the potential to be better than Simmons, AND it involves really good other assets.
Beyond that... HOU isn't in a teardown, which is incredibly rare for a team trading a top 10 player, so they also want to look at what lets them have an extended window, because that team is not set up to tank at all.
Wall, Cousins, Wood, Gordon, Tucker, Barton, Harris, MPJ is a really good team, and arguably it is a better team than adding Simmons instead of the last 3. That team needs MPJ to get shots up, and it can afford for him to be mediocre on defense. That team with Simmons is less clear... the spacing might be okay, it might not, but then you're depending on Wall to be your real #1, and you still have the "what do I do with a guy who can't hit FTs or shoot in crunch time, but derives his offensive value from having the ball" issue with Simmons. MPJ on the other hand... you give him the ball and let him cook in crunch time.
The trick is you want to get one asset that is moderately known and has top end potential. Simmons is a top end player, but there are concerns about the type of player he is and what if any ceiling is left. MPJ is less proven, but he's shown a lot in one year, and his ceiling and play type is right in line with what you want from your #1 guy.
In theory you’re right, the problem in Houston’s case is that they sold their future drafts for John Wall and a heavily protected Washington #1. So building around Simmons properly is absolutely going to be hugely difficult for them. Now, if they’d never made the Westbrook trade and had simply waited a year and sent CP3 to Phoenix instead, then yes, absolutely you take a shot. But that’s not Houston’s reality.A team like Houston shouldn't worry about if Simmons is a good enough player to be the best guy on a title team. They're in a full rebuild so they just need to add pieces and Simmons seems like the best realistic piece they can potentially acquire. I think the best way to maximize Simmons' skills is to put him at C or PF and just build a team full of switchable wings and shooters around him. His lack of shooting will probably never be fixed so you need to mitigate that as best you can by having multiple shooters out there to spread out the defense and open up the paint. You also need a secondary ball handler who can get to the rim when it slows down into a half court game, where Simmons' lack of shooting really becomes a hindrance. I do think the Simmons/Embiid pairing is a little awkward.
Exactly. I'm one of the guys who's psyched that we might have a PG3 in year one drafted at 26. Given Kemba's uncertainty, I think that could come in handy. But I don't see PP going to any all star games.I'm not sure posters mostly being like "This dude might be able to stick in the NBA" in that thread is on the same level as "I'd rather have MPJ than Ben Simmons." The Nuggets and their fanbase and Nuggets sympathetic media people hype their players almost as much as the Lakers and the Knicks, it's wild. Not to say that MPJ couldn't possibly be a good player, but if he never learns to play defense he's like Brandon Ingram or something. Simmons is already better than that, absent any improvement with his shooting, or moving to a team that can construct itself around his specific flaws.
If he could learn to play defense he’d definitionally be better than Ingram.Not to say that MPJ couldn't possibly be a good player, but if he never learns to play defense he's like Brandon Ingram or something.
If I were Houston I'd take Simmons and at least explore a team around him to play his way, which (ironically) looks offensively a lot like the team you'd want around Westbrook---you'd want perimeter shooters, keeping the lane open, and you'd want to encourage running. The are set up that way already. I'd try that this year and see, and then think about flipping him elsewhere based on what happens---does Wood show he's real, can you get some picks for Tucker etc. You are probably right that ulitmately you have to move Simmons and really start over, but it's worth considering just trying it for a year...he's pretty special at what he does do well.In theory you’re right, the problem in Houston’s case is that they sold their future drafts for John Wall and a heavily protected Washington #1. So building around Simmons properly is absolutely going to be hugely difficult for them. Now, if they’d never made the Westbrook trade and had simply waited a year and sent CP3 to Phoenix instead, then yes, absolutely you take a shot. But that’s not Houston’s reality.
So moving him on to a third team in a position to properly put a team around him is probably a better option. And, luckily for them, the team in the best position to do that already has more first round picks than they can ever use. The fact that they would have to eat Horford’s contract hurts somewhat, but on the bright side it means that OKC will need to add to the package.
For the Thunder the motivation is obvious, a Simmons/Wall team isn’t a contender, but it just might make the playoffs. From their standpoint they’d only be losing a mid first pick in ‘21 by making a deal. A Wall/Bacon Bits team is right in the middle of the Cade Cunningham Derby.