Though with the Rockets being in 3rd, I think acquiring Ibaka vaults this team to elite status. Capela is still too young to rely on. But when playing teams like GS/SA, adding Ibaka to the post can hinder the opposing team's gameplan, and he's able to spread the floor on the other side. Fits perfectly into our gameplan. I don't mind courting him in the offseason if he's not available by trade, either. I just think with Harden being noticed, the Rockets 3rd in the west, and our team struggling to find the early success we had in Nov/Dec, I think Serge gives us that push at the right time, and gives us time to build chemistry.
I've went back and read the Watkins article, but it seems that Morey/Harden are content with where the roster stands correctly. That's fine. But, if I'm Morey, I'm absolutely talking with James/MDA about bringing Ibaka in over the summer.
If we can get Chalmers and Ibaka without having to give up key pieces, we'd be crazy not to do it. Trade our scraps to Orlando (KJ, Brewer and picks. Hell even Harrell and Ennis if they want) for Ibaka. Then pick up Chalmers on the cheap to fill up numbers. Chalmers 'could' be that additional playmaker, with championship experience, plus he's a career 35% 3pt shooter. And I'd love to hear that old school Nintendo Mario Bros sound every time he scores!
Sources out of Sacremento claim that Collison and Koufus are on the trading block. I think the combo of those two would add depth to the Rockets but who knows what it would take to get them. Thoughts?
I always liked collison for off the bench but he seems to be a bit of a problem in the head. Would like koufos as a cheap add, he fits nicely in regards to offense.
In Orlando's system, Harrell is a 4. Only problem is that Orlando does not need another 4 so why would Harrell be attractive to them? If anything they are in dire need of scoring at the 3. That's not Brewer, but it could be Dekker. Or rights to Gentile? C: Ibaka-Capela-Nene PF: Ryno-Ibaka-Dekker is better than: C: Ibaka-Capela-Trez PF: Ryno-Ibaka-Nene But is it really worth splitting hairs, is Dekker a trade breaker to acquire Ibaka?
We aren't getting Ibaka without losing Dekker. That's just the reality. ORL doesn't want anything we have, short of our 1st. Well wait a half season. So what. Not worth losing Dekker for 30 games and 1 playoff run, especially if our brass likes our chances of inking him this offseason anyways
Without acquiring a decent wing in return I think it is. We are thin at the 3. With brewer gonna in the hypothetical your left with Kj (trash) and dekker who practically only plays small ball 4. But overall talent wise no. If dekker doesn't become semi respectable from deep he is brewer like. Not crying over losing him but I don't want to lose him, because as we seen earlier in the season when he was shooting good he was fantastic. And that's his potential.
I would still do the trade and sign a back up wing if necessary. Again, teams are mining gold (or at least silver) in the D Leagues. JaKarr Sampson, Wayne Selden, Jamaal Franklin, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, etc. are available. Or include Hezonja as part of trade package. Dekker should not be a deal breaker IMO.
Kobe Bryant and Chase Budinger had similar enough rookie season stat lines, yet decidedly different careers. So, while Boban and Drummond do indeed have similar per36 stats (sweet advanced stats!), at a certain point you have to just watch each guy play and realize the obvious....Boban is in no way as skilled of a basketball player as Andre Drummond. If you have any video that suggests otherwise (you don't, because it doesn't exist), I would love to see it. Otherwise, this is an indefensible stance illustrated by your unwillingness to defend your ridiculous claim.
Of course Morey and Harden will say they are content. One: it keeps players happy if nothing goes down. We do not need any malcontents, especially if they're in the rotation. Two: it tells the rest of the league that the Rockets are not desperate to make a deal since they're already good and maybe, just maybe gives them a little negotiating leverage. Just my .02 right or wrong.
First of all I would like to say I agree with you on splitting hairs on Harrell or Dekker involvement. I see a listing of Orlando roster. SF's listed: Aaron Gordon/Fournier/Hezonja/Jeff Green I would say they probably would prefer Harrell as they probably see that the Ibaka/Biyombo experiment did not work with Vucevic on the roster. ..........................16/17...................17/18......................18/19.............19/20...estimated salary: Vucevic............$11.7 mil............$12.7 mil Biyombo..........$17 mil...............$17 mil....................$17 mil..........$17 mil Ibaka.................$12 mil M Harrell..........$1.05 mil............$1.09 mil Makes sense to me that Orlando would like to pull the rip-cord (trade) on Biyombo in the offseason and go w/the cheaper Harrell going forward. Vucevic contract is good in this new CBA as well. Harrell may give Orlando more bang for their buck going forward. KJ has team option this summer. Orlando might like that. http://en.hispanosnba.com/salaries/teams/houston-rockets
Plus: Harden distances himself from the notion that he is pulling the strings......which goes against his reputation over the years. The media has made him look like a Jabroni.....as the "Rock" would put it.
