I was kind of hoping that Morey would jettison Howard, Lawson and Brewer and the team would be in a semi tank mode, miss the playoffs and have multiple 1st rounders and plenty of cap space to work with for a fast retool this offseason. Since it looks like it's going to be sink or swim with this team the rest of the way, are there any potential cuts/buyouts looming that the Rockets might be able to add? Not really sure if they should or shouldn't, just curious what names have the potential to be out there.
First, after the trades today, Houston has 2 open slots to fill. Potential buyout candidates (based on scuttlebutt) PF David Lee (Boston) G/F Joe Johnson (BRK) F Chase Budinger (IND) F Carl Landry (PHI) F/C JJ Hickson (DEN) F Steve Novak (DEN) C Roy Hibbert (LAL) G/F Kevin Martin (MN) F Tayshaun Prince (MN) G Andre Miller (MN) F Kris Humphries (PHO) or F /C DeJuan Blair (PHO) C / F Anderson Varejao (POR) F Caron Butler (SAC) I would take some combo of Joe Johnson and Hickson or Novak. That would at least replace some of what we lost. Possibly help the team fight it out for #6 seed.
I hope Landry is cut and sign with us then we find a bench guard l. Hopefully KJ can contribute in a major way.
Use to think TayShaun and his lengthy defense were fantastic now . .. i dunno if he has anything in the tank Rocket River
DMo was my favorite Rocket. Now he's the only reason I'm half intersted in the Pistons. This season has gotten even more dissappointing with the trade deadline passing and nothing even remotely good for this season coming to us. At least we got something for a hurt DMo I guess. Now starts the countdown to a mystery ailment to either Howard or Harden, and the official start of tank mode. Maybe now we'll get to see more Montrezl and KJ since I forsee even more garbage time ahead. Two sandwiches has a spot on the roster now too.
Novak was already pretty inexpensive, so he would be a good option to fit in the Rockets minimal space. We definitely could use a good 3 point shooter. Probably the most realistic option.
Novak or Andrea Bargnani off the bench to play the stretch 4. Start Josh Smith at the 4, bring Capela off the bench to give Howard rest. Done deal!
If Morey opted to jettison those players, I would've heavily avoided a full-blown tank. Unless, we traded Harden, too. I'm very much in favor of handing Denver our pick THIS year and preserving ours for the future given the uncertainty of how our team will shape up. I would've liked to see Harden shipped to Boston, but in hindsight, I'd like to see him offered for #1, future picks, other assets, etc., on draft night and total rebuild. As opposed to speculating. I was hoping, at the time...Lee, Amir, Crowder, Smart, BKN 2016 & 2018 for Harden & Howard. I think Harden's 2-3 years away from his prime. Yes, I understand he just came off a near-MVP season, IMO an actual MVP season. He needs to face more adversity to shape up into what he'll be. I just have a hunch it won't be here in Houston; by his own doing & leaving in FA. If we don't successfully swing in Free Agency/Off-season acquisitions THIS upcoming summer, we're on borrowed time with him.
I'd prefer Kris Humpries here. He's added to his 3pt shot, he hustles, and will play hard. He'd be fine for 15-20mpg starting here, just start each half and let Smoove play the other 25-30mpg.
