Paulo Alves

that there's as huge of a push within the Rockets to do a Giannis trade as it's been reported.

I'm not saying it's not going to happen.

I'm just saying it doesn't seem like...

Yeah, it doesn't feel like it's optional.

And it felt like a weird timing for so many people to be talking about it at the same time.

But, you know, going back to Shang-Goon, obviously Plan A will be bringing everybody back.

But even beyond that, on a more, you know, long-term, few years on the road perspective, Plan A will always be to have Shang-Goon be like a core piece of the puzzle because...

Even if you have reservations about archetypes and have reservations about, you know, potential effort issues with his defense, whatever it may be, they got Shengun on a five-year deal that's significantly below market value.

And so Shengun panning out is exponentially more

kind of rewarding than it would be for a guy that's, you know, just making max money or that's being overpaid.

Like, that's a bargain contract, which does give Kipi Sheng some leeway from guy-building perspectives.

But, you know, plan A is always for Sengun to pan out.

And that's overwhelmingly the best case scenario for the Rockets.

So Sengun being back to, you know, the offensive player that we know he can be will never, you know, not be perhaps besides on a man Thompson, you know, breakthrough to being a 1A or a 1B type of guy is the best thing that can happen for the Rockets.

if that makes sense.

So it does have that impact long-term beyond just the soft season.

If Shingun maintains something close to this level of play and extends it into the playoffs, what does that mean in your eyes for this offseason?

Because I have wondered if any of these young guys is going to be a playoff riser.

And perhaps this is the year it can sort of be the inverse of last year.

You know, I've thought a lot the last few weeks when it's become increasingly clear that this regular season just is what it is.