The other player was Crabbe. It noted Crabbe could refuse trade due to him being signed as a RFA in the summer. If I'm not mistaken.
The centers you guys want (Lopez) already have significant PT with their teams. When we trade for those players who have significant PT, that messes up team chemistry. Who do you take minutes away from?
I wrote down the top teams a week ago on a note pad & the mins logged by each teams big men. I questioned myself on getting a big bruiser as a result. The exception being for injury reasons to Nene. I'm sure you can get the stats on Nene especially of late. You are good with stats. On/off court stats. Plus/minus. I'm torn between getting a big lug vs hard time justifying both a Nene & Robin Lopez. I respect your opinion. I know Codman has suggested getting an enforcer. BDA Sports MGMT client list includes Nene. Codman repeats how much Nene loves Houston. I guess if Chinanu could be moved....there is room for two big bruisers.
The ideal get in my opinion is Noel. I knew we have been after him. But the way things have broke over the last few days with Embiid dinged and it looking like Okafor is gone it's not looking like Philly is going to turn loose of Noel at this point. Although I could see a brewer/Capela plus a second possibly enticing Philly since Capela has another cheap year on his deal. But I really can't see Philly moving Noel at this point. Once you get past Noel and Cousins the next possible available big would be Whiteside. Gotta have around 17 million in outgoing salary to get him and Riley has to decide to move him. If that happens I'd be interested if we could move out Anderson. If that doesn't materialize we're going to have to take another step down on the big man ladder and that's where it gets murky. Personally, I can't see tying up cap for guys like Rolo and Tyson Chandler unless they non-guarantee all their salary after this season so we can waive them if necessary. And frankly I think it would be easier to acquire somebody like Boban, or Baynes, or even Aldrich and I'd rather deal with those contracts. I'm convinced Boban would blow up here given 20-25 minutes and would be easy to trade back out if we needed to. I'm also convinced Baynes can be acquired for salary and a high second. Same with Aldrich. And frankly I think Aldrich is better than Baynes. And I strongly believe Boban and Aldrich or even Ajinca will give us more than guys like Rolo and their salaries are much more reasonable. Just my thoughts on bigs.
I'm leaning towards what you are saying vtjsr2. Im kinda coming to terms w/ Capela 28 mins & Nene 20 mins in the Playoffs. Warriors and Cavs have been successful with Bogut 20 mins and limited Mozgov mins. Dekker playing more mins at PF. Noted that 82games.com playing most of his time at PF. Continues in PO's. Nene gives you experience on defense and rim protection below the rim. It would be a nice luxury to have Robin Lopez and his 1.5 blocks a game above & below rim protection. I would prefer a SF if forced to chose between wing or center. Embiid got the best of Nene at times; but Nene returned the favor as well. I liked how Nene blocked the Embiid shot attempt from 3 at the end of he game vs Philly. That contest showed me a lot. Embiid right now may be as good as any big currently.
Nikola Mirotic... You heard it here first...... #insider... Taj gibson could be had too, but that is only if Boston coughs up the kingsransom for Butler... in the works.! Also, we need to make the move for Wilson Chandler..... All avenues being looked at.
Nice answer. I agree with many of your points. Nice discussing basketball with you and getting another persons perspective.
Clips are trying hard to get Wilson Chandler. Morey will not be in a bidding war for Chandler very long. Maybe Melo deal gets done w/Clips and that gives Rockets less competition.
If Capela is still playing 20-28 minutes a game for us come the post season then we will get totally gutted on the interior in the playoffs.
KJ + Ennis + 2nd rounder For PJ Tucker and Barbosa Brewer + Harrell + 2nd rounder For Taj Gibson Clint/Nene Anderson/Gibson Aria/Tucker/Dekker Beverly/Gordon Harden/Barbosa Deepest team in NBA?
Perhaps. Just my opinion Capela will be pushed from his 24 mins in the regular season to about 30 mins. As in the regular season the perimeter plays will be drawn from their assignments into help defense. Bzdelik will try to mix up between different guys on any given play to playing one-on-one on other occasions. Nene will be asked to play like he has the past 4 weeks vs quality opponent night in and night out. Most playoff teams will have 3 point shooters spacing the floor that can show our vulnerability. Morey doesn't want to use a 1st rounder supposedly; which could help shore up weaknesses. That leaves the Rockets in, "We are Happy to be Where we are & We are Rolling the Dice with What we Got." Something to build on going into next year may end up the theme of this season.
I don't think it's as simple as "we need a big to defend the post". If they can't move on the offensive end, then what's the point? We aren't going to pound the ball inside, so they've got to bring something else...shooting, passing ability, athleticism...something. Bottom line, it will be difficult to improve on Capela/Nene/Harrell given their skills and contracts, and you can't commit resources to a 4th center that will only play in very limited circumstances. While someone like Noel might be better, he's not so much better that you throw away Capela and his favorable contract. If you want to fill a real need, go get another wing.
As of last week mins of big men (probably not too far off from then.....sorry too lazy to update them): Eastern Cavs:-------not too concerned about needing another bruiser Boston:----not too concerned about needing another bruiser Raps:------Valanciunas 27 mins, Nogueira 22 mins.......add Ibaka Wiz:--------Gortat 35 mins Hawks-----Howard 29 mins, Muscala 20 mins Pacers:---Turner 31 mins, Jefferson 15 mins Bulls:------Caveman 28 mins Pistons:---Drummond 31 mins, Baynes 16 mins, Boban 7 mins Western GSW:-----Zaza 19 mins, McGee 9 mins Spurs:----Pau 27 mins, LMA 33 mins Utah:-----Gobert 34 mins, Favors 23 mins, Withey 8 mins Clips:-----Jordan 35 mins, Speights 17 mins (not concerned in the post). Im ok w/Capela-Griffin & Nene-DJ. Grizz:----Gasol 35 mins, ZBo 24 mins OKC:------Adams 31, Kanter 22 mins, Sabonis 22 mins, Lauvergne 14 mins, Nick Collison 6.2. This team out numbers our bigs; but Capela, Nene, Ryno, Harrell and even Dekker can counter what they can throw at us. I anticipate one of OKC's bigs to be moved in trade. Nuggets----not concerned Honorable mention for trade to opposition: Brook Lopez 29 mins, Bogut 23 mins (team might make playoffs), Whiteside 33 mins (team might make playoffs). Some mins of some players may go up as other players may lose playing time as a result. OKC, Utah, Spurs and Raptors may be the only teams that may really hurt the Rockets with fighting for position in the post. Combo of Capela and Nene can match most physicality by "most" teams. I feel a combo wing would go a further way. I anticipate Dekker playing big mins at PF which leaves the Rockets thin behind Harden and Ariza; especially Ariza. Gordon can give some minutes backing up Harden. Just my observation IMHO. Fortunately for the Rockets there are no back to backs in the playoffs. Just need Nene to stay healthy in the playoffs......and leading up to playoffs. Knock on wood.
