[ClutchFans] The Rockets’ season was a big success — so too must be their offseason

if by any chance we do end up with gasol, then dwight will be moved for sure.

not too crazy about getting gasol, tho. depending on the cost of acquisition, of course.

i am still glad we didnt get melo last yr. wouldve been a disaster.

 

Awesome read.

While the need for a stretch four seems obvious I found myself asking if teams respect Dwight's post up game enough for them to leave Love/Aldridge open.

A defense could determine they'd rather live with Dwight post-ups and look to contain Harden's penetration and stay out on shooters. Easier said than done of course. I think in a one-on-one situation, Dwight posting up is a good option if he has good position.

I think Morey needs to keep clear of chasing Gasol. He ain't coming, and nothing good can come from even trying to get him. We chased Dwight, we wanted him here, he chose us. Let's honour that contract, he gave us everything he had in the playoffs.

I don't want to see Ariza go, nor the young trio of KJ, Capela and Nick. There is serious defensive potential there.

The further we get into the postseason, the less margin for error with each following off-season. It's going to be interesting to see how it unfolds.

I'm still annoyed that GSW never saw our full strength team at ANY point this season or post season, but it is what it is.

 

Many directions this team could go. Unfortunately, I do not see signing a max free agent as a legit option.......the cost from a roster management standpoint is too high.

Here is my favorite scenario:

Trade Llull, DMo and the NYK 32nd pick for Lowry. Obviously there would be other pieces involved, but there's some synergy here.

From Toronto's perspective, Lowry is a 29 y/o win now PG when they clearly aren't ready to "win now". DMo makes them younger, and is reunited with his Lithuanian countrymen, Valancuinas. IMO, the NOP pick would not need to be included.

For Houston, you get Lowry at a reasonable $12 million per year, which means you have an amazing backcourt of Lowry/Harden for the next 3 years at just $30 million total.

Not signing Llull means you have the MLE to sign KJ and Gentile. IMO, the Rockets are not considering letting McDaniels walk unless he get's some ridiculous offer. KJ will sign for something like 3 years $6 million, with the last year being non-guaranteed.

Of course the big question is what to do at PF with DMo gone, Smith a FA, and TJones in the last year of his contract. This may not be popular, but I think we should be patient. Smith and TJones are good enough for the regular season, and maybe you can work out a trade at the deadline to find another piece. What's important is that you keep your options open for the summer of 2016 when Durant, Love, Aldridge, and others will be available.

Resign Terry to the vet min.

Lowry / Johnson
Harden / Terry / KJ
Ariza / Gentile
Smith / TJones
Howard / Capela

 

One thing that needs to be remembered about Marc Gasol is that the Rockets offer was matched by Memphis back in 2011, when he was a restricted free agent. So Marc Gasol had an interest in the Rockets at one point. Probably still a pipe dream, but maybe it will get interesting...

http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-make-offer-for-Grizzlies-Marc-Gasol-2395688.php

 

4th I think. You are right. They were a very good defensive team last season. Their improvement this year was largely on the offensive end. I think Green's versatility helps. And Kerr got them buying into a good system rather than relying on individual talent.

 

Is Toronto moving Lowry a realistic possibility? Wanted him last summer, still do.

 

Love and Aldridge are ufa, I don't see them waiting for the new max with their respective injury history.

 

I think basketball reference uses pp/100 too but factors in SoS, but I'm not sure.

 

PG:Beverly
SG:Harden
SF:Ariza
PF:Gasol
C:Howard

I think it can work...what a squad.

Aldridge, Love, Gasol...if any show interest in playing here, you pull the trigger!

 

Male Gasol, why not?

Thank you, sire

 

I think Gasol and Howard would be a nightmare defensively.

 

I forget we'd lose Ariza....maybe McDaniels can fill the void?

 

Most likely nothing described in this article comes true. ..morey too unpredictable

 

Who are all these people wanting to replace Dwight with Gasol? Did you watch the playoffs? That's a lateral move at best, and Gasol isn't going to give you the defensive anchor this team needs so badly.

I don't know about playing them side-by-side either, we've seen what happens when you have Asik and Dwight on the floor at the same time. While Gasol is much more versatile than Asik, it's still asking two centers to play together. It's just not that good a move.

I also feel like it's worth mentioning that we did as well as we did in the playoffs with two 37 year old point guards. Yes, a better point guard would be awesome, but consider that we almost won the first two games vs GS, and had Dmo taken all of Jone's minutes and Beverly taking minutes from Terry and Pirgioni and keeping them well rested, I have no doubt that we'd still be watching Rockets basketball.

Yeah, GS is good, but they also had like, two games all season where they were missing a starter. We played through way more adversity all season and all playoffs, and still made it a closer series than it looks like on paper.

And why so down on Josh? Yeah, you cringe every time he shoots a 3, but he shot 39% from 3 in the post season. Honestly Brewer seems to be the one that's not worth the price tag. There's plenty of guys that can run the court and get a layup.

 

Fear not, Harden could cover for them.

 

Morey needs to improve every year also. So often we are lost in the dumb cycle / false dichotomy of Morey is Genius or Morey is turrible. Morey is a great GM but no one gets better by people telling a guy how good looking he is.

Morey needs to better understand the value of keeping a unit together more than half a season. His moreyball lends to slash & burn team building. It's sometimes necessary with circumstances, but sometimes not. It's a 4-5+ year pattern. The historically amazing team that eliminated us and had our number was 95% the same personnel that we dominated last year.
Stew on some of that for a while before you maybe flame me.

 

Dwight isn't going anywhere. He'll end up being a key reason in winning a title.

 

We're obviously not good enough but we're very close. You can't afford to make too little or too many changes. I would lean toward more cautious changes than a big splash.

 

If Harden doesn't get legitimate help on the offensive end we won't be winning a title.

I was against Love last night but after thinking about it Love and Harden combo is exactly what we need. An actual PnR tandem that will run it and it will be a triple threat because love can pop and shoot. He can board with the best and knows how to score

 

Thanks for the kick-off to 11/1.

BTW - - if Dwight wants out there is a guy in NYC who (apparently) believes (believed?) he was the one to max out DH's talent. Who holds a high pick, cap room and a certain buddy of said Gasol. And a Euro stash. Hmm. Enough TE to bring in the better, younger brother?

Why do so many think dumping out of Ariza is so clever an idea? It would take a lot for me to be comfortable with him gone.

Sure seems Cubesanesque to overpay Bev. I'd hate it, but would live with it. Personally, I'd love to see MC blow it with Tyson while pursuing, and missing, DJ.