For only the second time since taking the job of Rockets GM, Rafael Stone held a press conference with reporters. Stone, whose initial Houston media session came after taking the reins from Daryl Morey in November 2020, spoke Sunday regarding factors that led to the blockbuster James Harden trade, as well as the franchise’s direction moving forward.
“I think what’s super exciting about this deal is it gives us flexibility, especially with high picks,” Stone said of the Harden trade, which gave the Rockets four future first-round draft picks and four pick-swap rights. “I think those are the highest forms of currency.” Houston also acquired two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo as part of the four-team deal.
Topics discussed in Stone’s interview session include what prompted the Harden trade; why he chose a package heavy on future draft assets; whether trades or contract extensions involving veterans on expiring contracts (PJ Tucker, Victor Oladipo) might occur by this season’s March 25 trade deadline; the possibility of using a significant trade exception generated from the Harden deal; and much more.
Here are some key tidbits from Sunday’s chat, including perspective from Stone on reasonable expectations for Houston’s revamped roster.
#Rockets GM Rafael Stone (@RafaelStone12): on working with Harden to get him to a desired spot in Brooklyn:
"It's definitely accurate that I worked with James, and we did organizationally. We do that with all our players in every circumstance, and this was not an exception."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone says the Rockets were engaged in the process of trading James Harden before the season and they didn't have hopes that Harden would move off his trade request
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone on why #Rockets took the Brooklyn deal: "What's super exciting about this deal is that it gives us flexibility. In the NBA, picks are the best currency. Everybody likes them, everybody values them."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 17, 2021
Stone on Harden's comments accelerating the need for a trade: "They did not affect me at all. I have no idea if it impacted other teams but I can guarantee it did not impact us."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 17, 2021
Rockets GM Rafael Stone on Victor Oladipo: "Your hope is it’s a perfect marriage. He’s an extremely talented player. … For him and for us, this is a really exciting time where we get to see how it works out. Hopefully, it works out gangbusters and we go from there."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 17, 2021
“Our goal is to compete and put a fun team on the court that gets after it.”
Rafael Stone says he thinks the group can fit together well and internally, they’re very excited about this group as they get more time to play together.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone: "James is a great player, full stop. Period. He's been with us for eight years. And the eight years he was here, his work ethic was incredible. The flip side is, our goal remains unchanged. We're well positioned to develop something special."
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 17, 2021
Stone said that he got to meet with Oladipo yesterday. He asked for film so he could study what the team is doing on both ends of the floor, prepare, and get up to speed.
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone on Victor Oladipo: "First thing he did was ask for video so he could independently study our offense and defense so that he's up to speed…The background that we have on him is that he's exactly the type of person that we like in this organization." #Rockets
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 17, 2021
Rafael Stone on whether the Rockets would extend PJ Tucker or Victor Oladipo: "I would say we're always open to anything with anyone. Obviously it's circumstantial. If it makes sense for them and if makes sense for us, then we will always be open."
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 17, 2021
"We have to give this time to gel. I think we're going to be competitive right away," – #Rockets GM Stone. Also noted they haven't even practiced together yet.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) January 17, 2021
Stone: The identity of the Rockets — were going to be a team that plays a fun style, with pace, and we’re going to defend and get after it. That’s the identity that we’re going to build.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) January 17, 2021
"I do think it's helpful for Stephen & the group. I think they are really excited to tackle the challenge," #Rockets GM Stone on if it's been good to just move past the uncertainty.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) January 17, 2021
Stone says James Harden remains on "very good terms" with the #Rockets as an organization.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 17, 2021
Stone says the Rockets picked up a large trade exception in the deal ($10M+) and they will be aggressively looking to use that.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 17, 2021
#Rockets GM @RafaelStone12 says James Harden’s comments after the losses to the Lakers did not accelerate his process to trade him: “I can guarantee you it did not affect us.” pic.twitter.com/sV4V0eAk9m
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 17, 2021
#Rockets GM @RafaelStone12 says James Harden was accurate when he said the team worked with him to get him to the Nets: “We do our best to work with all of our players in every circumstance and this was not an exception.” pic.twitter.com/YHCx6ihaVv
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 17, 2021
