Are the Rockets a "destination franchise" for a star this summer?

We don't have the salary cap space unless we trade off Ariza if I'm not mistaken.

 

Llull?

 

I think they have a decent chance at getting Lowry without gutting the team too much. He would make the team complete.

 

I don't think so but I could be wrong. I definitely think we should be. Even though I think D12 is overrated I think guys that don't want to bang (HELLO LMA/LOVE!) should absolutely want to play w/ Dwight. Anybody who watched us play this off-season should see that we're one player away

 

I feel like "destination franchises" only matter to "destination FA's", and it has little to do with being elite.

For example, your list included Bosh when in truth he seriously only considered Miami and Houston, Lowry only looked at Toronto and Houston and Lebron of course really only cared about Cleveland. Essentially, what that translates to is fit over (almost) everything else.

The list of actual "destination FA's" is pretty short. Carmelo most definitely topped it with a few role players following along. Does that make a difference in the grand scheme of things?

 

Definitely. A team with two superstars with assets good management that went to the wcf. Also no taxes. It may happen or not but they definetly are a destination for stars.

 

Lowry would have signed, had Morey not made Bosh and Melo priorities over him.

 

TBH, if we would have offered Lowry a contract instead of chasing Bosh, he would have come here based on rumors. Melo and Bosh were all about the money, Bosh was coming here until the Heat offered him a max deal that we couldn't. You can't base the claim based on last summer. Morey swung for the fences and whiffed, it happens. He was able to adjust on the fly and put a decent team on the floor.

One the Morey always does is go after the star player and if there is a star player available you try to get them. Not every star player wants to play for your team, so what. It's not like Love has hinted that he wants to come here, no one has any conception that we can get him.

LMA hasn't said anything about wanting to play here, no hints or rumors of it. He's from Dallas and his kid lives in San Antonio, hence rumors are that he wants to go to one of those markets. He probably wants to be a spur to be around his kid, that doesn't mean the Rockets are suddenly not a destination franchise. The off season has just begun give it time.

 

Very true.

 

If they've truly offered Llull a contract, then it means they're operating above the cap and not looking for FA. I'm guessing they don't want to risk the chemistry issues that may come from just keeping half their roster on standby to be traded for cap room, so they've given up that route. Makes sense. Lin and Asik looked like they were gone regardless so it was less of a big deal than someone like Ariza who may have been our 2nd most important player last year.

I think they'll look for trades but won't clear all their room for anyone.

 

Llulz

 

Bingo.
All of the teams being mentioned (Dal, SA, LA) potentially have max level salary slots open, much like the Rockets did last year.
If the Rockets want to land a big fish it would likely have to be by trade and that moves them farther from the center of the rumor mill.

I say relax and let DM do his thing.

 

Houston will be a destination for a lot of role players. That is a fact.

 

You're close. The reason Houston isn't mentioned in the rumors is because they don't want to be. Last year, it was definitely Morey advertising Houston as a "destination" for Lebron, Melo and Bosh. This year, they are taking a different tact considering, like you said, they want to keep the guys they'll have to dump if LMA and Love don't choose Houston. Last year, Lin and Asik were to ably gone. There will be no advertising through the media this go around.

 

We gonna return superstars Lin and Asik home this summer

 

There is no indication Morey is going for another big fish FA. Retaining our current FA and signing Llull seems to be the plan.

 

I would be shocked if Love or LMA wanted to come to Houston. Maybe Love would consider it because he knows McHale, but I really don't see it happening.

I think Dwight being here hurts us more than it helps us. Dwight doesn't seem to be very well liked around the league. I could be wrong, but that's the feeling I get.

 

Unfortunately, I agree. The media has been hating on Houston's style of play, on Dwight Howard being soft and not serious enough to win a championship and on James Harden for shooting too many free throws and flopping too much.

You have to think that will influence free agent's decisions on whether or not to come play with a team.

Look at the ESPN article about LMA's free agency (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...ward-lamarcus-aldridge-leave-team-free-agency)

Seriously? I mean, I love Al Horford. I think he would be a great PF for the Rockets next to Howard. But..he is a PF. Aldridge wants to form a strong frontcourt tandem but he doesn't think of coming to play next to a legitimate Center, a great defender and rebounder in Howard? And, he wants to form a strong frontcourt tandem, but he is considering going to play for the Lakers?

 

I think you guys watch to much espn. Trust me players form their own opinions on players. Nearly every superstar in the game is friends with harden and a lot of them openly said he's the MVP of last season. It would shock me is LMA or love didn't want to come here assuming the money is right. Any player that comes here is automatically the 2nd option on a real contender playing with an MVP candidate and another star in Howard who doesn't demand many touches.

You do the math.