Rockets remain cautious as deadline approaches

justtxyank · Feb 4, 2018

Morey will still work the phones and no doubt has already. The odds remain against him reaching Thursday afternoon without agreeing to some sort of deal for the first time in 11 seasons as a general manager. But more than he ever has before, he not only likes the hand he is holding, his wish list – and he does have one – includes a desire to keep his rotation together.

That does not mean Morey won’t make a deal. But as the Rockets close in on the deadline, they consider the in-season free agent recruiting that could follow to be at least as likely to bring an addition as the usual trade market.
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With that in mind, he also dismissed the possibility of a trade that could help clear cap space for next summer’s free agent shopping. Though Morey did not discuss specific players, Ryan Anderson is the second highest-paid Rockets player signed beyond this season after James Harden. (Chris Paul is in the last season of his deal.) Anderson is due to make $41.7 million in the next two seasons.

To sign a top free agent, the Rockets would either have to clear extensive cap room or work an opt-in and trade deal as they did with Paul. But Morey said his attention this week will remain on this season.

“We’re very focused on this year,” Morey said. “There’s very few times in anyone’s career you get as close as we are right now and we recognize that.”

Morey also does not seem likely to add the deal sweetener of a draft pick as he did at last season’s deadline to acquire Lou Williams and that he used again in the trade for Paul. Because of that trade, the Rockets do not have their 2018 first-round pick and NBA rules would prohibit them from dealing their 2019 pick this week. Barring a change they do not expect, the Rockets want to hold on to their 2020 pick, a person with knowledge of their thinking said
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Still, the Rockets’ recent wave of injuries reminded of the need they had not filled with a few two-way contract tryouts. The Rockets hope they can find just the right emergency backup guard, either at the deadline or more likely after, several individuals familiar with the Rockets’ plans said. That player, however, would have to fit not just as a guard that could fill-in at point guard if the Rockets find themselves shorthanded again, but that would be agreeable to being outside the rotation when the Rockets are at full strength.
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Os Trigonum · Feb 4, 2018

MDA be all like

BamBam · Feb 4, 2018

MDA be all like

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BHannes2BHonest · Feb 4, 2018

DaRell Moree be like this until Thursday...

mockster · Feb 4, 2018

Our best bet to wait for them buy outs and free agents

Joe Johnson and Lopez/bogut

shinjirod · Feb 4, 2018

I saw Brook at Disneyland yesterday. He loves the parks and he was enjoying them one last time as a local before getting cut. Brook to the Rockets confirmed.

OTMax · Feb 4, 2018

Okay so backup guard only..hmm

B-Bob · Feb 4, 2018

With the team playing this well, it's hard to argue with caution.

I'm serious: even LBJ could seriously mess with the good team-first chemistry, to say nothing of our interesting and underrated bench.

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Rockets remain cautious as deadline approaches

justtxyank Contributing Member

Os Trigonum Contributing Member
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BHannes2BHonest 2 SOLID FOR WEIRD AZZES

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Rockets remain cautious as deadline approaches

justtxyank Contributing Member

Os Trigonum Contributing Member Supporting Member

BamBam Contributing Member

BHannes2BHonest 2 SOLID FOR WEIRD AZZES

mockster Member

shinjirod Member

OTMax Member

B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

Share This Page

Os Trigonum Contributing Member
Supporting Member