After the Rockets and the Kings have completed 2 games, they will have a contest with the Timberwolves at home on the morning of April 4, Beijing time, the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams are clear, and the Timberwolves led by Towns and Edwards are no longer the "Huskies" in everyone's eyes, although this team does not have the strength to compete for the championship, it can indeed use its own strength to become a spoiler in the playoffs.
The Rockets' showdown with the Timberwolves doesn't seek to win a win, as long as the Rockets' newcomers perform well. Can Jaylen Green hit another 30+? Can Porter Jr. deliver another 10+ assists in the game? This is all that everyone is concerned about. In fact, the more Potter Jr. reaches the end of the regular season, the more reasonable and rational he is to play.
In 57 games this season, Porter Jr. averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game, shooting 36.7 percent from three-point range. After the end of the season, Porter Jr.'s 4-year rookie contract has one year left, and this summer will be the Rockets' "team option", but the Rockets will most likely leave Porter Jr., after all, eat the dividends of another year's rookie contract, which is what any team will choose.
But will Porter Jr. directly renew his contract with the Rockets? According to Rockets reporter Kelly Ico, Porter Jr. can "renew his contract early" with the Rockets this summer, and he can get up to a $184 million 5-year contract from Houston! Whether the Rockets will send such a contract remains to be seen. Judging by Porter Jr.'s performance and personal data on the Rockets in two seasons, is 184 million in 5 years too expensive?
If it is Morant, Lamelo Ball, these new generation of super defenders to get this number of contracts is very normal, but Porter Jr.'s ability and development potential, it seems that it is not worthy of this contract. More importantly, Little Potter's fiery temper is also a potential hidden danger!
If the Rockets offer a contract of about 15 million, it is more appropriate, but will the arrogant little Porter agree? Therefore, although the negotiations between the Rockets and Porter Jr. have not yet begun, they must be prepared to talk with the psychology of "unable to renew the contract". In fact, even if the Rockets can't keep Little Porter, it doesn't matter, this year the Rockets have two first-round picks, you can use one of the signings to pick a new point guard, and the Rockets, there is currently a "double insurance" for the point guard position.
Veteran Schroeder may leave the team, but if the Rockets fail to renew their contract with Porter Jr., leaving Schroeder on a contract with an annual salary of about 15 million this summer, and letting the 28-year-old star point guard bring players such as Green and Shen Jing is also an option. In addition, the Rockets will focus on developing Christopher this summer, and Silas said that he will vigorously develop his shooting ability in the offseason.
Christopher has often served as a rockets bench point guard this season, and in this position Christopher has been stable and can also deliver some beautiful assists. If Christopher can practice shooting, combined with his tough defense and passing ability, it is still reasonable to be a future "Harden-style" two-powered guard for the Rockets. Taking the initiative to train Christopher this summer is the latest move for the Rockets. In case Porter Jr. doesn't renew his contract, keeping Schroeder + training the TOEFL and making him the starting point of the future No. 1 position is the Rockets' "double insurance".