For the past few months, I've been dead set against any Rockets trades, unless they could pull off some miracle deal against a club that was gunning to clear some cap space for next year. I'm also against trading anyone in the top 8- or 9-man rotation. HOWEVER... As much as I hate to say it, it looks like we may very well miss the playoffs. Realistically, we're in 8th place with a b**** of a schedule from here on out, and the 3-time champs steadily climbing upwards. With the trading deadline looming, we need to seriously look at the possibility that we'll end up back in the lottery again -- without a pick this time. The only trade that makes any sense to me is one that would bring us a first-round pick to replace the one we lost to the Grizzs in the Francis deal. Hopefully without giving up one of our core guys in return. Then we cross our fingers and hope for some more of that Rocket lottery magic.