https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba...-trade-into-top-20/1xhijolgymzcc12j497itm4j9i Yeah I can see why Morey would want to do this. Draft picks are easily tradeable. Of course it would mean moving Capela, Gordon, or Tucker. Could also move Hartenstein. Don’t know what he is worth at this point. Who knows?
Of course, Morey is hoping to get a draft pick after trading the 1st round away for a scrub. And, yes, I’m sure he’ll use it as trade bait.
This is in keeping with what I'm hearing- the Rockets plan to be very active - particularly with regard to deals that could improve the team. Developing....
To do what?? Draft a Mook Morris? or a Sam Dekker? or a Royce be Well White ? or a i know my rights DMo? or a Terrnace Jones?
Houston has been "trying to get first-round level prospects in for workouts, baiting agents with the idea they can and likely will trade for a pick in the top 20," according to a report from Basketball Insiders. The Rockets do not currently hold a selection in the upcoming draft.
"Come work out for us so that if you flame out on your rookie deal we'll figure out if your 3rd year can help us get under the cap"
Marcus Morris would be fantastic right about now. Good player. How about Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry, Chandler Parsons, Patrick Patterson or Montrezl Harrell? How about Jeremy Lamb for James Harden? How about Donte Greene for Ron Artest? Daryl has had lots of late picks turn into something of value for the Rockets, which is way more than you can say for most teams. Hell, DMelton got rid of Ryan Anderson, which is amazing in itself.
It’s unrealistic to expect Leonard, Davis, or anyone like that. That being said, if the Rockets can move Capela to get a first round pick be it from Boston or somewhere else, that would be really good. My hope is Davis winds up in New York or LA, Boston loses out and takes Capela from the Rockets for Brown and a first round pick (+ filler). We draft a replacement center or trade for one, get a solid 3 man, and rebuild our team from there. Might have to trade Gordon as well just to clear cap space. If Morey can accomplish all of that I would be pretty happy.
Update: The Boston Celtics started veteran big man Al Horford at center to start the 2018-19 season and their alternate starting center in Aron Baynes just agreed to return to the team next season. However, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Boston is looking to bring in a player from the outside to man the pivot. Houston Rockets center Clint Capela, who Kyler would report the Celtics have targeted in trade discussions earlier this week, now appears to be Boston’s preference as starting center if they miss out on New Orleans Pelicans forward-center Anthony Davis. The Houston Rockets have been looking for ways to shake up their roster, and sources have said the Celtics have expressed considerable interest in big man Clint Capela, likely as a fall back if they do not land or aggressively pursue Davis. Kyler also implies that the Rockets may target the Celtics’ 14th overall pick in return for Capela, with their desire to move up into the top-20 of the 2019 NBA Draft. Boston also holds the 20th overall pick in the upcoming draft and reportedly would like to unload at least one of their first-round picks.
Trading away actual contributing role players for a pick in the 20's that has...what...a 20% chance of being effective? would signal that the Rockets have no interest in competing next season.
I mean, they had Smart for a workout years ago, probably in the other years they had other players out of their range to workout for them, i think they're just doing their due diligence, if a trade happens they know who they want to draft.