Rockets Top 3 Free Agent Targets? | Did Stone Deserve Extension? (w/ Frank from Rockets Chop Shop)

Host Robert Land & Rockets Expert Frank with Rockets Chop Shop look at their Top 3 Rockets Free Agent Targets, wonder if Rafael Stone deserved a contract extension and parse at key points from the Stone & Udoka end of season press conference.
(:30) Was Rafael Stone Contract Extension Good Idea?
(2:03) Thoughts on Stone & Udoka end of season presser?
(5:00) #1 Offseason Free Agent Target (Frank & Robert)
(10:58) #2 Offseason Free Agent Target (Frank & Robert)
(15:45) #3 Offseason Fr ee Agent Target (Frank & Robert)
(20:17) Why can't Rockets stand pat in offseason?
(25:34) Who's Frank's Rockets MVP?
(27:00) Rockets biggest team weakness?
(31:08) Who makes the NBA Final?
Subscribe on KZbin, Spotify, Apple & iHeart
X @HSTPodcast
#rockets #nbafreeagents #rafaelstone

[@KyouOneZilla]

Video seems sped up, I dropped it to .75 to watch.

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

I'll make a note. Thx!

[@chefboyarduby]

Its definitely sped up cause I listen to Frank's pod and hear him talk on spaces his voice don't sound like that plus he don't talk that fast lol

[@saleemkirmani5583]

Frank is a genius. I like Robert Land too. Thanks, guys!

[@noshowjoe6596]

Stone has done a great job. He Especially seems to have an eye for young talent. As we've seen with his success in the draft

[@sanjay_6556]

Mcdormett would be a good cheap pick up

[@ur_quainmaster7901]

Bol Bol shot 42% from 3 this year, and he has size we could use. I could see him taking the Tate spot. Should be cheap.

[@jgarner2429]

I think Bol Bol would be a great addition. He is needed since the league has gotten longer in recent years. Sengun is 6'9" max. Plus he is land locked (can't jump).

[@truthfrancisco7991]

He’s trash he won’t last because he’s lazy. Late to practices etc…. Low motor

[@ur_quainmaster7901]

Wow really? How disappointing. I'd verify if I'm a GM but I'd pass on that with this young team if that's who he is.

[@truthfrancisco7991]

@@ur_quainmaster7901go read about him. There’s a reason he’s been passed around more than a blink with multiple people. Denver, Orlando and now Phoenix in under 6 years. Thats not a good sign.

[@jalenjohnson0339]

Malik Monk would be a nice off the bench he a combo guard so he could be that backup point guard for Fred or he could be a backup guard for Jalen I wanted Jalen Smith for a few years now. I really liked his skillset when we was with the Suns even though he didn’t play that much wanted the rockets to get him but he with the Pacers. I think he would thrive here being our stretch five and it gives Ime to run a double big lineup. KCP is a solid choice too. We would have to trade for him but I would want Kispert on his team for shooting but we would have to trade for him. I would gladly give Washington the Brooklyn pick for him but they might not take that deal but who knows

[@baha07TR]

Frank thank you Excellent comments an suggestions. I hope Alpy reaches a higher potential than you suggest.😊 I respect your thoughts With those additions that you and the host suggest everybody inc Alpy of course as a result Rockets will improve dramatically. Looking forward to watch the Rockets in control of a leader like Udoka

[@gregorywilliams9134]

I say pursue Jalen Smith and try to roll with Amen as the backup PG. I like Monk too, but I think he'd take minutes away from either Amen or Cam and they need to be playing imo. I think Jalen Smith would bring a bit more size and versatility to the 4 spot than Tari. Adams, Smith, Tari, Cam and Amen would be a heck of a 2nd unit.

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

As Robert said, Monk would be backup PG (ideally 18 minutes) so VanVleet stays healthy . He'd play maybe 10 minutes beyond that at the 2. Amen & Cam mostly played forward this yr & until their handle is better, I wouldn't assume they'll play much guard. As Frank said, every fan goes into the season assuming nobody gets injured. That's not how it works. Wouldn't you rather replace Holiday, Bullock & Tate minutes with Monk?

[@gregorywilliams9134]

@@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk I considered all that and it’s a solid option. I just prefer giving Amen the nod at backup PG. Amen proved to be a very quick learner off-ball. I feel confident he can do likewise running the point. He has a whole offseason to work on his handle. There will be some growing pains, but I think he’s up to the task.

[@darryl2346]

Lonnie Walker, Doug McDermitt, Malik Monk and Jalen Smith.

[@thesnazzyowl7635]

I still think package brooks boban for a rotational piece. Give Tari or Amen his position. Amen is already showing he's a better defender. Or does anyone think Brooks would be a better bench player?

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Boban isn't already signed. Even if he was, his money prob wouldn't make a difference in a big trade. Thx for the take

[@luckychukwuma3822]

Let’s be careful of what we ask for in free agency, Kcp regular season average is 10.1 ppg in 32mins, Dillon brooks regular season average is 13 ppg in 31mins despite having to guide opponents best players every night. The Rockets should go for elite shooters of the bench capable of at least 15 ppg and who can help breakdown zonal defenses with 3pts shooting. So I would prefer any of Tim Hardaway, Jordan Clarkson, or Malik monks. These guys averages 15 ppg in regular season and are elite shooters.

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

PPG is not the best way to judge who can shoot. Dillon averaged more points than KCP because he took more shots. He took more shots because he wasn't playing with 3 massive offensive weapons like Jokic, Murray & Porter

[@luckychukwuma3822]

@@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk if Kcp is taking less shots it’s bcos he’s not trusted to convert like Murray or porter. Secondly What metrics are you using to judge, if ppg and defense are not taken into considerations, bcos Dillon was better than Kcp in both. You guys kept saying Dumb Dillon or dumb Dillon’s money . It’s a disrespect to Dillon who worked his ass off to establish a culture in Houston. Honestly I don’t know how Kcp would be an upgrade to Dillon, again that’s disrespect. We should be talking of players like Paul George,klay Thompson, mikal bridges,dejounte Murray and Jerami grant as upgrades to Dillon and not a player like Kcp. If you bring Kcp to replace Dillon,then there’s no improvement as they won’t be a .500 team. the Rockets wouldn’t even be a .500 team this season assuming Kcp in instead of Brooks.for me the kind of players Rockets need to come off the bench should be elite scorers or shooters like clarkson,monks, bogdan bogdanovic or hardaway, these guys may not be elite defenders but they are scorers. When you add one or two of these guys to Dillon defense, and with the rest of the Rockets core players, then they would be in play off next season.

[@dsstewbaby9]

I hope JG gets traded because he’s always been a target when things don’t go well..I think if he gets to a better chance to shine

[@MrNiceGuy1818]

Let’s see him in the playoffs first . I have a feeling he is a playoff riser

[@derrickgiles5288]

Depending on how they plan 2 play amen I think a back up point would be good. Liked holiday but we need 2 get better there

[@truthfrancisco7991]

What about Lonnie Walker or Eric Gordan?

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Neither are top 3 choices but if you can sign them for a small portion of the MLE, they might be worth it. Thx for the take

[@truthfrancisco7991]

@@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk thank you Robert. Lonnie sign for the minimum with sorry nets. I don’t think he’ll ask for that much and remember udoka had him in San Antonio. He’ll be cheaper than monk athletic can shoot the 3 at 6”4. Great sixth man to have. Then there’s EG we know his resume. He wanted to compete and next year rockets will compete for a top 6 seed in my opinion. Can shoot play D and we know what we’re getting. Bring him home.

[@noahdeatley8751]

I don’t like the Paul George idea at all. Doesn’t fit the timeline. Cam whitmore showed flashes all season, just needs to develop consistency, and we’ve all known Tari has crazy potential, those guys need as much experience as possible. Crowding them out with Paul George who’s in the last years of his career just makes no sense to me. Vanvleet makes sense because we need a point guard, Dillon makes sense because he impacts culture (which I feel like he doesn’t get enough credit for, he totally transformed his image from last year) PG has never been a “winner.” A great, entertaining player, but I just don’t think that’s what they need.

[@anthonyliu7893]

Rockets need a player who will be a court general who will create and make shot like what jalen green done on the 11 game win streak. They are good with center if adams will be 100 percent

[@pritiarya5960]

Technology Implementation like AI optimize the best in Houston Rockets Next Successful expedition.Real diligent And Versatile.Inspiring.

[@thomasvarughese118]

FVV restricts #JalenGreen's potential as currently structured in #Udoka offense. What happened to #Udoka's supposed "motion offense?" Jalen should initiate offense and be allowed to run more PNR w #Sengune. Initiating thru #FVV and sticking Jalen in the corner w/o any backdoor movement off ball does not play to Jalens' strength. We had a very predictable and unimpressive offense in 2024, which needs to improve.

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Jalen will get to initiate more this coming season but he can't be good until his shot is more efficient. 31% from 3 is not good enough. Thx for the take

[@Htowndude1000]

Gary Harris could be a decent option to come off the bench.

[@sheezy3962]

Everybody keeps saying we need a big who can protect the paint, be a lob threat and space the floor but won't push for Bol Bol in Houston is crazy lol

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

If Bol Bol was legit as a big, he'd play more than 11 minutes a game for a not deep at the bigs Suns team. Thx for the take!

[@deebrown9263]

Just please get Tate, Landele, and n bullock off this team dnt need em

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

They are great for the back of the bench but if you can use their salary for a nice upgrade, you gotta do it. Thx for the take

[@kennethrobinsonsr.4260]

Kenny Lofton Jr. could be a low cost option that could help coming off the bench

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Thx for the take!

[@Noodlezoop]

Kcp would need to be a sign and trade

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

If you offer him more than a midlevel (which he's gonna get) then yes. Outside of midlevels, I believe any move they make requires a sign & trade or not offering the options to Tate, Landale & Green

[@Divine318.]

The need to get rid of Fred that’s the most inconsistent PG I ever seen. better off drafting rob Dillingham

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

VanVleet was incredibly consistent (except that stretch when he had health issues). He was forced to play way too many minutes. Looks at what's happened to Thibs players when they play too many minutes. They get hurt & their shooting struggles. He's not an All-Star but he's been very solid. He was brought into set a tone & provide leadership

[@-Yu_Tsugami]

Yuta Watanabe n sign Uzi back

[@iso_float5069]

I think Jabari is not getting enough touches. To me his ceiling is a modern day Lamarcus Aldridge but he needs to volume to play well

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Agree with Lamarcus comparison. I've said that before. Needs more offensive touches - which is why I'd like him to come off the bench. Thx for the take

[@kevinrath7394]

Why yall talkin so fast? Talkin fast, sayin nothin, lol jk, yall are doing great

[@jus3278]

All great choices.

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Thx for watching!

[@drewsy4358]

Really great video, guys, you got me hyped for this offseason!

[@RobertLandHoustonSportsTalk]

Good to hear. Thx for the take!