Golden State Warriors: Would a hypothetical trade for James Harden work?
How Klay Thompson would fit on the Rockets
The Rockets would be losing out on their former MVP James Harden but they would be receiving what many would consider a fantastic haul for a player who has potentially brought the organization as far as it is going to go.
The Rockets would receive the second overall pick in the NBA draft which would be music to both new general manager Rafael Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta’s ears.
Stone gets to make his own mark on the organization with the second overall pick and Fertitta gets a new potential star with the second overall pick that he doesn’t have to pay big money to for at least four years!. Win-win with the second overall pick.
The Rockets get a solid young prospect in Paschall who looks to have good potential moving forward in the NBA. They receive Damion Lee a solid shooting guard, and of course, they land one of the greatest shooters in NBA History.
When all is said and done in his career, Klay Thompson might go down as one of the most underappreciated superstars in NBA History.
If Thompson was not on the Warriors and had not been attached to the hip with 2-time MVP Steph Curry since entering the league, he would be considered a legit superstar on any other team.
On the Warriors, yes Steph has been the Warriors Jordan (not comparing Curry to the GOAT) but Klay was most certainly Scottie Pippen.
Like Pippen, Klay is a legit star in his own right.
One of the game’s best two-way players, Klay alongside Steph has been the beating heart of the Warriors since he came into the league. One of the more unselfish players in recent NBA history, Klay has put the needs of the team above his own personal interests for the Warriors to be successful.
He gets his buckets in the flow of the offense, he doesn’t demand the ball, he works hard on both sides of the ball and is a fantastic teammate who is adored by coaches, fans, and players around the league.
Klay is secretly putting together a hall of fame career, maybe stepping out of Steph’s spotlight would allow for Klay to solidify his case as a future Hall of Famer. Klay on the Rockets would offer consistent 3-point shooting, fantastic transition, and man defense, he offers a culture change for the Rockets.
As a No. 1 option, Klay has the potential to match Harden’s points output but he would also have the Rockets fully bought in on the defensive side of the ball. If the Rockets could move on from Westbrook and bring in someone who can shoot the ball and play defense then this Rockets team will be fully bought into a defensive identity mixed with 3-point shooting.
A dangerous combination.