Assuming the rockets pursue a no-tanking, acquire undervalued assets, acquire "potential stars".... who are the targets we should be watching? Criteria: - two way players highly preferred - skillset indicates a minimum potential to be a starting caliber player for a playoff team - reasonably young Targets - In no particular order... - Ricky Rubio - Demarcus Cousins (I'm guessing this is Morey's top target) - Evan Turner (recall Morey indicated that the Rockets offered to eat Brand's contract on a draft day trade. However, we may not have had Turner in mind, but rather perhaps Cousins) - Anthony Randolph - Godfather offer for Cleveland's first round pick centered around Brooks and Scola, that could be enough to put Cleveland into the Eastern Conf playoff picture next year. - Hasheem Thabeet - Chris Bosh (If politics weren't an issue, I think Miami would deal us Bosh for Scola/Brooks in a heartbeat.) - Monta Ellis (one dimensional, but I think he's a better potential "closer" than Kevin Martin) Other notables: Mareese Speights (young and big enough to play C and develop into a starter); Jason Thompson. Neither is suficiently distinguishable from Jordan Hill to be characterized as a likely upgrade. Add any you can think of.
Ummmm. Jason Thompson is better than Jordan Hill. Not even close. But I agree with most of your targets, except for possibly Ellis. Don't think Morey is interested in him.
Anderson Varejao, guy would be an ideal center in Adelman's system. The only thing that he doesn't do that we need is shot blocking and he had 4 last night vs Amar'e. Last night vs Amar'e... 14 points, 17 boards, 4 blocks, 2 steals and 2 dimes
Biggest difference between the two is Andy plays defense. Scola is the far superior offense player but Andy can "D" up most centers. He has started to block more shots with increased playing time this season, not a great shot blocker but enough to stop the layup drills we give up so often.
Poor man's Scola sounds exactly right. Doesn't have the same level of offense, and even less athletic, but is taller, plays smart and with non-stop hustle. I think the truth is he's better than he was in Lebron's shadow, but not as good on a regular basis as he was against the Knicks, for example. And he's got a pretty hefty salary. Not getting quite Scola money, but still $7-$8 million plus for another 3 years, I think. He could be a nice add, but not on his own. Add Carmelo and Varejo to this team and it is certainly a perennial playoff team. But Melo ain't coming, and no one like Melo seems to be coming, so why add Varejo?
He's definitely a solid man to man and defensive rotation guy. Certainly a better defender than Scola. But doesn't yet strike me as a "protect the paint" defender. Of course, not many of those out there...
About 2 (maybe 3) seasons ago, most everybody here was enamored with Shane Battier taking charges. IIRC, Battier had low 50's for the season. He was second to Varejao. Andy took 97 charges. :grin:
Cousins is not worth the gamble... I'd rather wait for the next draft and see which big men we can trade for in that one. It's not like Cousins is the next biggest thing. There's almost always someone as good as Cousins in EVERY draft.
I believe it was because Xavier Henry plays way better team ball than him. The coach even said he's the next Battier or something along those lines...
Simple trade involving Scola. Luis, Jared, Hill for Josh Smith and Pachulia. We take back Mo Evans with the trade exception to keep ATL out of lux tax. With our trade exception and with Jared's expiring $6.8 mil deal, moving Scola can be accomplished.
Morey is like a broker, he buys low and sells high. So you really need to think "who has an unusually low value right now" ? Only 2 players with "star-talent" come to mind right now: -Hasheem Thabeet -OJ Mayo We know Morey wine'd&dinned Thabeet they year he came out, so I wouldn't be surprised if he made a move for him.
Btw, I would love for Morey to snatch J-Smoove from the Hawks some way. Because there is no way they are going to get to give him a big contract with Horford and Johnson already extended. Bad management, they will need to make a trade somehow.