Brandon Ingram Discussion: He Is Who We Thought He Could Be

The Rockets need to sign Jesus. The lame tend to get up and walk around him which will come in handy in May.

 

Floor: Tayshaun Prince
Realistic: Danny Granger
Ceiling: Kawhi Leonard

 

This has been a key quote cited over and over for a while now

I don’t think Rob is bluffing for trade leverage with this, I think he means it. They aren’t going to just give away Ingram, Kuzma, Ball, or Hart, they see at least 3 of them I’m sure as the KEY to making us good now AND years from now when LeBron is done, so we aren’t forced to rebuild all over again, and instead return to the Laker way of reloading.

 

I agree. Although I think Ball could be had for the right deal easier than the other 3. The signing of Rondo makes me think they are at least aware Papa Ball may become too big of a distraction.

 

Well what does that mean for Hart with Stephenson and Pope in town? And Svi being drafted?

 

Lance and Pope are solid wings. Rondo is coming off a season where he was instrumental in getting the Pelicans into the second round. Not saying Rondo is our long term PG, but I just get the feeling that he is a much more comprehensive insurance policy for Ball than Lance is for Hart. Besides, I think Pope gets more minutes than Hart anyway. Pope is likely starting. If Papa Ball starts popping off in January, Lebron may not want him around. Granted, if Ball reworks is shot and is hitting at even a 42/35 split, everyone can ignore the pops.

 

Ball was the reason I said 3 of the 4, I think the Lakers see him as most replaceable, whether it’s true or not.

I think Hart is backup sg to KCP, and they can split minutes. I think Stephenson is backup to Ingram at the 3. Or switch those backups around, but there’s time for all. Svi is the one that will have to earn time, he’s the rookie. If and when it happens it will be likely due to injuries. For Hart, for Kuz, for Lance, maybe for Ingram with his history.

 

I don't disagree with where you guys slot Hart into the lineup, but if that's true, then who is our backup PG?

I don't think it's so simple as "Rondo is Lonzo insurance" if the same can't be said for Stephenson and Pope being Hart insurance. I think we're insured in most areas in case we end up moving a kid. The only kids without a clear insurance policy are Kuzma and Ingram and I have a feeling they're each other's insurance policy. Also LeBron.

 

I’m not sure I get the question. Rondo is the “backup” PG, but I’m pretty sure he and Lonzo pretty much split minutes or we end games with whoever is playing better that particular game. That’s as close to Vas’s making Zo earn it scenario as I can see, the vet here to push the kid. Plus it’s likely Zo misses games due to some sort of injury or soreness and we then have a starting caliber pg to step in and not skip a beat. Caruso is the 3rd string still I believe, on that 2 way contract.

 

Right, I agree.

Savory's point is that Rondo is insurance so we can trade Lonzo. If that logic is true (which I'm not saying it's not), then it's also true Stephenson and Pope have to be Hart insurance, right?

 

Oh, ok I get you. Yes, actually I think that holds true. Were we to pull the trigger on a Kawhi trade if the Spurs relent on the asking price, sadly I think Hart is absolutely part of the deal. He’s exactly the kind of player the Spurs draft.

 

I agree. I hope we don't at this point. There's too much weirdness going on with these leaks. Until we get more clarity, no point in emptying the pen for Kawhi unless we get the offer we want.

Everyone seems confident we'll get our 2nd guy next summer. I hope that's true. I'd love to keep all these kids and sign two stars.

 

Without giving it a ton of thought I think that's a fair assessment.

With Lebron and our other depth we have I don't think he'll ever put up huge numbers. Especially if we sign another max level guy next July. Just won't be enough shots to go around which I know Ingram would be fine with. Its just the media or those casual fans will often look at his stats as he's not a true up and coming star.