[Chron] A good day in the Rockets' star search?

[Carl Herrera]

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocket...s-star-search/

Jonathan Feigen's thoughts on what recent events (Lakers playoff exit, SVG firing) might mean the Rockets effort to find another star:

In the Rockets’ long search for their next face of the franchise foundation star Tuesday would have seemed to be a good day. Dwight Howard would seem in no way ready to commit long term to the Magic, despite the departures of GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy. He only stayed this long because he did not want to be viewed as the bad guy. Now that his coach, in particular, has been shoved out, Howard is perceived to have blood on his hands, leaving him without reason to stay. Pau Gasol seemed even more likely to be moved. The Lakers went out in the second round for a second-consecutive season, with Gasol fading from his championship-year level of play. If the Lakers don’t move Gasol, they might have a hard time getting to road games since Kobe Bryant has so often thrown Gasol under the bus. The Rockets thought they had a deal for Gasol before the season. They were working on a trade for Howard at the trade deadline. Nothing has changed for the Rockets since, who continued to tread water and return to their familiar spot at the end of the lottery. Time to make a move? That goes without saying. They have positioned themselves fairly well to deal, with cap room, flexibility and solid players under good contracts. But it won’t be easy, even if Tuesday made it easier. The Rockets are not where they were on March 15 when they were one of the few teams talking to the Magic. They were willing to take on Howard with no guarantee that he would sign a long-term extension with them. If the next Magic GM is open to dealing Howard in the off-season, as opposed to the trade deadline, most of the league will make offers. The Rockets can’t offer an All-Star for Howard. Last March, they did not have to. This summer, someone probably would. The Rockets would be better off if the Magic decide to “roll the dice” – as Howard suggested in one of his flip-flops on the subject – long enough to weed out much of the competition for him. Gasol’s trade value likely has diminished some since the Rockets were willing to give up Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic and a first-round pick to get him. Martin’s trade value has also slipped since then and the Lakers don’t have a spot for him, anyway. The Lakers were then willing to move Gasol to get Chris Paul. It likely won’t take that much to get Gasol this time, but the Rockets were making that move not just for Gasol, but to make the cap maneuvers needed to also sign Nene. That is no longer an option. Gasol would be a needed upgrade, but does not by himself make a lottery team a contender. His window is also one season closer to closed. A season later Rockets would have less reason to believe they can be rebuilt around Gasol. He is still effective when he gets touches in the low blocks, something that did not happen as frequently as Andrew Bynum has developed. He wouldn’t like it – Gasol does not want to leave LA – but he would still be the Rockets’ best big man. The Lakers wanted a point guard for him. Kyle Lowry might not be Chris Paul, but he is expected to bounce back well after his surgery to repair the abdominal injury that hurt him badly last season. Lowry, who butted heads with Kevin McHale throughout last season, would fit well next to Bryant, who would appreciate Lowry’s fire and toughness. It would take much more to complete the deal – maybe Scola, maybe Martin in a deal with a third team. But it would make sense. While we’re at it, if you look at other teams exiting the playoffs early, Al Jefferson (a McHale favorite) faded against the Spurs and plays in an crowded and young frontcourt; Josh Smith has wanted out of Atlanta, which seems to be running in place; the Grizzlies still seem to have too many huge contracts for a team in Memphis. There are major road blocks to a deal for each. The Jazz might not be eager to deal with a Western Conference competitor fighting for the final playoff spots. The Hawks will have sights set higher. The Grizzlies have shown no inclination of moving their stars, particularly Marc Gasol or Rudy Gay. There were reasons the Rockets went so hard after Pau Gasol and Howard. For now, however, while going through the long wait for the draft and free agency, Tuesday was a very interesting day for the Rockets’ star search.

[LCAhmed]

I do not want Pau.... He didnt achieve much in Memphis (even though he was young) as the "Star Player". He is a good Robin, but he is no Batman

[Mr. Clutch]

That's too much for Pau. We need to lowball for Pau.

[mr. 13 in 33]

still wanna know who would we have to give up for gasol

[kevC]

We just need Arsenio Hall.

[Carl Herrera]

Originally Posted by lcahmed I do not want Pau.... He didnt achieve much in Memphis (even though he was young) as the "Star Player". He is a good Robin, but he is no Batman

The problem with Memphis was Pau didn't have a "Robin" there. Shane Battier was probably the 2nd best player on the roster (remember Memphis tanked after the Battier trade even when Gasol was still on the roster) and he's a defensive specialist/shooter/ball-mover. On the offensive side, who did they really have? Mike Miller? Bonzi? Jason Williams? Stromile Swift? None of them really was really that great.

I would think that the Houston team that Gasol would be joining will have more talent than the Memphis squad that he left, even if Kyle Lowry is traded for him.

[Depressio]

I'll say it again: trade for Dwight Howard and then use the cap space to sign Deron Williams. Howard will re-sign if we get D-Will, then we have an excellent combo moving into the foreseeable future.

The main questions are:

- Do we have enough to acquire Howard?
- Do we have enough cap space to sign Williams?

Can someone answer these with something more than speculation? Well, the first question will probably be entirely speculation, but I'm looking for some BimaThug-like thoughts on #2. :P

[Raven]

Originally Posted by lcahmed I do not want Pau.... He didnt achieve much in Memphis (even though he was young) as the "Star Player". He is a good Robin, but he is no Batman

Actually, I think he's slipping into Aunt Harriet territory.

[RV6]

We dont need to overpay for pau after the way LA went out.

[Scolalist]

We need a young superstar who wants to play here.

Don't know why we haven't bought into the Indiana model. We have a good majority of those same pieces and could nab two more with a smart draft.

Hell even the Spurs for that matter. Guys who limit the turnovers, play solid defense and are unselfish with the basketball.

[Carl Herrera]

Originally Posted by Mr. Clutch That's too much for Pau. We need to lowball for Pau.

Originally Posted by mr. 13 in 33 still wanna know who would we have to give up for gasol

1. I wonder if the emergence of Goran Dragic makes the Rockets more willing to part with Lowry, assuming that Dragic is willing to come back at a non-stupid price.

2. That said, I would still prefer not giving up Lowry. He can be packaged in a separate trade. I also wouldn't be said if he stays on the roster and either plays next to Dragic or even as a sixth man (playing close to 30 mpg rather than 20).

3. I'd prefer giving the Lakers some combination of picks (the 14th, the 16th or even a pick that they acquire) or younger guys (Budinger, Morris) instead of Lowry. The Laker sure look like they can use some new blood, but they might prefer ready-made help given Kobe's age... Not sure how Jimmy Buss thinks.

[T FOR 3!!!]

Pau was only meant to be one piece of a plan... If we'd had Pau and had been able to rent Howard, then we would have a better chance at signing Deron Williams and that would give us a better chance of keeping Howard... D-Will, Pau, Howard is a very big, talented team..

If we'd been able to keep C-Lee and Parsons that would be a SCARY good team on both sides of the floor..

D-Will
C-Lee
Parsons
Pau
Dwight

[Aruba77]

If we pass up the ability to aquire draft picks, or the ability to play in free agency, all because we are holding out for some franchise altering trade that has a slim chance at happening, i am gonna slam my junk in a door. These shoot for the moon/get rich quick schemes are wearing thin.

[emjohn]

Originally Posted by Carl Herrera The problem with Memphis was Pau didn't have a "Robin" there.

Why would you want Robin + Robin?

Originally Posted by Raven Actually, I think he's slipping into Aunt Harriet territory.

QFT

[Carl Herrera]

Originally Posted by Aruba77 If we pass up the ability to aquire draft picks, or the ability to play in free agency, all because we are holding out for some franchise altering trade that has a slim chance at happening, i am gonna slam my junk in a door. These shoot for the moon/get rich quick schemes are wearing thin.

I hope you have health insurance, then, because it's gonna happen and it's gonna hurt.

[xiki]

Originally Posted by mr. 13 in 33 still wanna know who would we have to give up for gasol

would Scoa/Lowry/Bud and a re-signed Dragic work for you? LAL? DM the GM? It would for me...

[davidio840]

Originally Posted by T FOR 3!!! Pau was only meant to be one piece of a plan... If we'd had Pau and had been able to rent Howard, then we would have a better chance at signing Deron Williams and that would give us a better chance of keeping Howard... D-Will, Pau, Howard is a very big, talented team.. If we'd been able to keep C-Lee and Parsons that would be a SCARY good team on both sides of the floor.. D-Will C-Lee Parsons Pau Dwight

I guess we can all dream right?

[REEKO_HTOWN]

[BigBenito]

I can talk myself into Gasol for one reason - as a mentor for Donuts on/off court.

I even think that in the short term there would be success with Gasol manning the low post. But the important part, long term, we would have an improved an improved Motiejunas.

[rocketkid713]

iam having a hard time understanding the plans of getting pau, he will not be the face of our franchise, so i guess morey wants him just to have a stronger package for a star