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The Houston Rockets were a defensive juggernaut this season, as the team boasted stoppers at every position. Houston was able to rise from the lottery all the way up to the Western Conference’s second seed because of their defense — and despite their offense. The Rockets have several talented offensive talents, including All-Star center Alperen Sengun. But the supposed centerpiece of the offense, Jalen Green, often left much to be desired, especially in the postseason.
Green trudged to just three double-digit scoring games over his first playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. The fourth-year guard turned heads with a 38-point performance in Game 2, but immediately reverted to being a liability for the rest of the series. Green failed to top 12 points in any of the next five games, prompting some questions about the Rockets’ future.
The Rockets have one of the most important offseasons of any NBA team coming up, as the franchise will have to decide whether to continue to build with what they have or go all-in for a superstar. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett acknowledged their dominant defensive young core but also understand why Houston may want to chase a star.
“Do you continue to develop Jalen Green and say, ‘He can be our guy as a scorer, as a young talent, and he can grow into that,’ or do you make a splash and go after a guy like Devin Booker?” Pierce questioned on KG Certified. “A guy who could be a main scorer, because they have problems scoring. You know, inconsistencies in that part.”
Booker would supply the Rockets with a bona fide star scorer and a true go-to guy, but Pierce doesn’t want to see Houston mortgage their future to make it happen.
“I don’t know if you make a trade or just grow with the team one more year. Maybe I’ll grow one more year. It’s like I don’t wanna go after something that’s going to kind of mortgage the future too,” The Truth continued.
Pierce knows Amen Thompson is an untouchable part of the team’s core and Sengun is likely there to stay as well. The Celtics legend also appreciates what veterans like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet bring to the team, leaving Jalen Green as the franchise’s biggest question mark heading into the offseason.
If Green can continue to develop as a scorer, he’ll be exactly what the Rockets need without forcing the franchise to trade away their treasure trove of first-round picks. Instead, the team could focus on upgrades elsewhere while using their assets to improve around Green rather than to move away from him.
The Rockets will have a big decision to make regarding their former top-3 selection. Still just 23 years old, Green has plenty of time and room for improvement. But for a team in win-now scenario like Houston, staying patient with Green may not be worth the wait.
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Celtics Notes: Major Trade Update, All-Star Signing Urged, Ex-Celtic Champion Cut
The Boston Celtics have a major trade update amid an otherwise unpredictable offseason. The roster is already at an incredibly different place than last season, but Boston is reportedly shopping a $45 million guard to shed some salary and shake things up around the league even more. Additionally, the roster movement isn't expected to cease as the Celtics have been urged to sign an All-Star point guard. A pair of team insiders discussed the idea of bringing in the former No. 1 overall pick to bolster the new-look team. Finally, a former Celtics champion has been cut from a Western Conference squad. The 22-year-old will now search for his next home to continue his professional basketball life. Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Celtics news (click the headline for the full article): Celtics Could Trade $45 Million Guard in Major Roster Shakeup: Report Celtics Urged to Sign Former All-Star in Major Free Agent Move Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward Former Celtics Forward Says His Injuries Are the Reason Jayson Tatum Became Superstar in Boston Celtics Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.
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