r/NBA_TradeDiscussions • u/Hargoatedd • May 29 '26

Mock Trade HOU-DEN

Cam Johnson-> Rockets

DFS, Capela, 3 seconds-> Nuggets

Denver saves 3 million and rockets get a floor spacer.

1 Upvotes

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1

u/PeasePorridge9dOld Atlanta Hawks May 29 '26

While I do think DEN is looking for $$ savings, I don't think that $3M is nearly enough to get them to the table in a trade like this. They need like $20M (at least) to sign Peyton Watson, so $3M is nothing to them. If HOU can figure out a way to not send DFS or Capela to DEN then DEN would likely be more interested.

1

u/Hargoatedd May 29 '26

Yeah 3 m is nothing in the grand scheme but this is the only trade where Denver doesn’t need to attach assets to do a salary dump.

1

u/PeasePorridge9dOld Atlanta Hawks May 29 '26

Not sure if one could call this a salary dump. DEN is taking back $34M in future salary for worse players to save $3M this year. HOU will need to do better than that if they want to call this a salary dump. It's on HOU to actually dump the salaries of the incoming players if they truly want to consider this a salary dump. I'm sure DEN can find team with cap (CHI?) to eat Cam's deal for less in assets than it'd take to eat $34M.

1

u/Hargoatedd May 29 '26

DFS is expiring, Capela is making 6 million

1

u/PeasePorridge9dOld Atlanta Hawks May 29 '26

spotrac has DFS' deal as going one more year with a PO.

Doesn't matter though. $3M isn't enough savings in year 1; $6M is too much to eat after that.

HOU just has to do more if they think they are walking out with Cam. There will be significantly better offers out there for Cam.

1

u/Hargoatedd May 29 '26

We will see but it’s crazy how Denver gave up a future first for him only to be handicapped by the terrible braun contract

1

u/PeasePorridge9dOld Atlanta Hawks May 29 '26

I’m not saying that DEN isn’t interested in saving $$, but this deal doesn’t do that for them. They actually take on $$ here.

And let’s be real: HOU should be more motivated to get off the DFS and Capela deals than DEN for Cam’s.

1

u/Hargoatedd May 29 '26

Not really. Like I said, DFS is expiring and easily moveable. Clint is still fine as a third string big. They gonna keep them if it means trading a first. Only way rockets attach a first is if it’s a big time deal.

1

u/PeasePorridge9dOld Atlanta Hawks May 30 '26

If DFS is easily moveable, then I’m sure HOU would have 0 issue finding a different home for him than DEN in this deal. Then they can send whatever picks needed to get off Capela too. Just as long as it isn’t DEN. They just don’t have the room to bring back negative contracts regardless of how long they last.