I preface by saying that I’m cool with Kelly Iko as a reporter. He feels like the generic team beat reporter and I am sure he is as connected as anyone to the front office, leaking both correct and incorrect information as front office dictate to him.
But I have to question his actual understanding of the NBA itself. And while I have been feeling this way for at least a year now when I started to seriously read Iko’s stuff, the following trade proposals really puts it into perspective.
https://theathletic.com/4550522/2023/05/25/rockets-nba-draft-pick-trade-2023/
One of the mock trades in the article was
>Rockets receive: Keldon Johnson
>Spurs receive: The No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and a 2025 first-round pick (top-3 protected)
Meanwhile in a recent podcast, Ringer’s prospect writer KOC basically proposed this trade
>Mavericks receive: Keldon Johnson, unspecificed future 1st round pick (didn’t say how many or which, but said at least needed a future pick to make the trade balanced)
>Spurs receive: 10th pick in the draft.
Even if you don’t like him nor like the Ringer, at least you have to admit he’s both more connected with the NBA wide execs, the value of draft picks, and just that what said makes more sense for anyone follows NBA drafts for more than a couple of years.
Anyway, end of my rant. Basically, follow Iko if you want just regular Rockets news. But don’t take his actual basketball analysis seriously.
by bauboish
2 Comments
I ignore any sports journalism he does, Only thing of value is his reports/leaks from FO
His podcast autoplayed on my spotify, quickly blacklisted it.
James Harden, Jalen Green, Keldon, Jabari, and Sengun is a nice lineup.
He making 20 mill this year, with a sliding cap number, and under team control for 4 years.
I would prefer not to trade pick 4 cuz I really like Amen, but if we can re do this deal and add pick 20 and a Nets pick I’m all in.