Feigen: Who should and will the Rockets take?

coachbadlee · Jun 21, 2011

They sure have a lot to say about Houston!

http://www.nbadraft.net/team-needs-southwest-division-2

Team Needs: Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks

Needs: PG, SG/SF, C

Picks: 26, 57

The first thought that probably just crossed your mind was, “Wow, the Mavs have a lot of needs for a team that just won the NBA title.” This is where the Mavs combination of age and financial commitments come into play. The Mavs have gotten great play from their point guards this year, but Jason Kidd is probably entering his final season, and J.J. Barea’s contract is up. Both Caron Butler and Peja Stojakovic are set to become free agents, and savior center Tyson Chandler’s contract also has concluded.

At least half those guys will be back, but if for some reason they’re not, the Mavs could be in trouble. Even with Chandler ($12.7 million), Butler ($10.6 million) and Stevenson ($4.5 million) coming off the books, the Mavs will still be way over the cap next year. Their offseason objective is clear: re-sign, at the very least, Chandler and Barea, and they should be fine. The only way for them to add younger talent, besides with their first round pick, would be to work out a sign-and-trade for Butler, or to perhaps find a team desperate for a center that they could unload Brendan Haywood on.

With the 26th pick the Mavs should be targeting shooting guards. Deshawn Stevenson, could be gone, and Terry will need some help. Marshon Brooks and the versatile Tyler Honeycutt are solid bets, and the team could also explore taking a sharpshooter like Davis Bertans or Nicola Mirotic and stash him overseas and off their books for a few seasons.

Houston Rockets

Needs: PG, C

Picks: 14, 23, 38

In terms of direction, the Rockets are the hardest franchise to figure out. They have a solid core in Lowry, Martin and Scola, and the largest group of promising prospects than any team in the league, with Hasheem Thabeet, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, Terrence Williams and Chase Budinger all in the fold. They could all be good pros, but just what the Rockets choose to do with them will likely determine their future.

Though he’s had the most disappointing career of all their young prospects, Hasheem Thabeet could have the greatest responsibility of any young Rocket. Yao Ming finally comes off the books this year, leaving many to wonder if the Rockets dealt for Thabeet with the expectation that he would become their next franchise center. He certainly has it in him, but he’s still getting comfortable in the league. Each of the surrounding prospects are safe bets to succeed: Patterson was extremely efficient as a rookie and could start for a number of teams right now, Hill is an excellent post defender with a still-improving offensive game, Terrence Williams was a triple-double threat in New Jersey, and Chase Budinger is a natural scorer with considerable upside.

For the first time in years, the Rockets have money to blow in free agency, as much as $13 million, a miracle considering they have nine rotation players locked in next year. Seeing as they’re still figuring out where they’re headed, and are still gauging who from their bushel of young talents could be a long-term fit, they might want to save the money.

Darryl Morey is a stats guy and will likely look for the best possible player at this pick regardless of position. Also take into consideration they have an additional pick at 23, which they can use to target a position of need.

One has to wonder if the Rockets are planning on keeping all three draft picks considering the amount of prospects they have vying for playing time already. They are rumored to want to move up by packaging a couple picks, which would make sense, but if they keep them, expect for them to simply go for the best player available. Chris Singleton would be a great fit as a newer version of Shane Battier, while local talents Tristan Thompson and Jordan Hamilton could get hard looks as well. One of the only clear needs that can be pointed to is a backup for Kyle Lowry, and Jimmer might be the perfect option if he falls to them. The team could also look at Lithuanian 7-foot forward Donatas Motiejunas with their 14th pick as he would potentially work well with Hasheem Thabeet.

Memphis Grizzlies

Needs: SF, C

Picks: 49

The most inspiring overachievers since the 2006-07 "We Believe" Golden State Warriors, Lionel Hollins’ Grizzlies were one game short of reaching the Western Conference finals despite being the lowest-seeded playoff team and despite the absence of star Rudy Gay. Memphis entered the season as a team that very few considered a playoff contender, and left Oklahoma City feeling that it could now contend in the West for years to come.

Though the Grizzlies managed to win seven playoff games without Gay and are not the type of franchise that is comfortable accommodating multiple $15-17 million players, he should still be held as the face of the franchise. He might not be as great a scorer as Randolph, but he’s a considerably better defender and the type of guy you can depend on down the stretch. He’s just 24 and can become a perennial All-Star if he exercises his full potential.

Signing Randolph to a massive but shockingly deserved four-year deal will make it much harder to shell out more than $10 million to Marc Gasol, who played like a top-three center in the playoffs. They probably will regardless. Gasol will likely begin negotiating with his team as soon as possible, as they’re aware of how many teams will take a shot at him if those other teams feel that Gasol might be welcome a change of scenery.

Losing Shane Battier could be rough for the Grizzlies, who immediately welcomed him as a leader and fed off his tenacity on defense. They should target longer, more athletic wings with the small cap space they have, or a project to develop overseas.

New Orleans Hornets

Needs: SG, PF

Picks: 45

Unless they can magically move the $40 million left on Emeka Okafor’s contract, Chris Paul is likely as good as gone. Davis West might opt in for the last year of his contract (even though he’ll earn less than he did in 2009-10) to play with Paul, but he’ll most likely seek an extension or a new setting despite his ACL tear. And it will be well-deserved; West has been one of the most underrated players in the league over the last five years, a good bet for 20 and 9 night in and night out.

Even with West at full strength, this isn’t a team that can expect to get beyond the first round of the playoffs. They currently don’t have a SG, and Trevor Ariza has been a major disappointment, averaging 11 points on 39.8% shooting. He’s still a good defender, but right now West is the only Hornet that Paul can rely on to get buckets. Losing the very efficient Carl Landry to free agency won’t help, either.

On yet another bleak note, their only draft pick this year probably won’t do much good. Though the Hornets scored in the second round two years ago with Marcus Thornton, this is a much weaker draft and there are no lights-out scorers to be found in the middle of the second round. E’Twaun Moore, is polished but may not have any one skill to hang his hat on, and they could hope to hit a home run with another UCLA prospect in Malcolm Lee.

San Antonio Spurs

Needs: SG, PF/C

Picks: 29, 59

The Spurs have been one of the best drafting teams in the league since they won the Duncan lottery, and they’ll need to hit another home run this year to keep up appearances. Even after they were knocked out by the Grizzlies in the first round, this is still a team coming off a 61-win season hungry for another title. Due to their outstanding depth and Popovich’s outstanding coaching, no Spurs played more than 32.4 minutes, meaning Duncan and his gang were effectively preserved and should have enough juice left for at another 60-win season.

The Spurs’ drafting genius earned them their terrific 2010-11 regular season, with rookies and unheralded sophomore contributing heavily. DeJuan Blair, a second round pick in 2010, started 65 games at PF and averaged 8.3 points and 7 boards in just 21 minutes. James Anderson shot the ball very well before he got injured, and Tiago Splitter provided a nice change of pace at center, and should be a much bigger factor next year. The real surprise, however, was 26-year old rookie Gary Neal, who provided the Spurs with the three-point shooting they so desperately needed. Undrafted out of Towson in 2007, Neal made the All-Rookie First Team.

This team is full of soon-to-expire contracts; Duncan has one year left, Parker is coming off soon after, while Blair, Hill and Neal are all free agents at the end of the year. They will have to take the best player available, and knowing the Spurs, if it isn’t a foreigner, it will be someone who’s ready to contribute right away. Kyle Singler, Marshon Brooks and Tyler Honeycutt would all be solid options
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LongTimeFan · Jun 21, 2011

hey cbl, in the future can you just bold the parts instead of highlighting? The yellow highlighting on the Original theme is extremely hard to read.

coachbadlee · Jun 21, 2011

LongTimeFan said: ↑

hey cbl, in the future can you just bold the parts instead of highlighting? The yellow highlighting on the Original theme is extremely hard to read.
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Sure thing.

herro · Jun 21, 2011

Marshon Brooks.

Marshon freaking Brooks.

Tom Bombadillo · Jun 21, 2011

LongTimeFan said: ↑

hey cbl, in the future can you just bold the parts instead of highlighting? The yellow highlighting on the Original theme is extremely hard to read.
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Just highlight it nard dog...

HTown_TMac · Jun 21, 2011

herro said: ↑

Marshon Brooks.

Marshon freaking Brooks.
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!!!!!

LongTimeFan · Jun 21, 2011

knote32 said: ↑

Just highlight it nard dog...
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Gee, why didn't I ever think of that? I'm going to assume you're on dark style.

soupman · Jun 21, 2011

HorneR said: ↑

At least TRY to look towards the future. We're looking at a full rebuild either way, it's just a matter of when. I'd rather not put off the inevitable, and try for a franchise player in a strong draft, than continue on our current path of mediocrity only to be faced with the same need to rebuild 2-3 years down the line.
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If we are in "full rebuild" mode, then the front office and McHale are lying to their fans and players saying we are looking toward the playoffs next season. We are a starting Center (with decent all-around skills) away from a pretty interesting and competitive team. We already have good team depth with Dragic, Lee, Patterson, and presumably Hayes (and with Yao as a long shot). Lowry, Martin, Budinger, Scola, and a solid C should compete. That team, without a C upgrade, had no problem scoring points on anyone last season. Admittedly, that squad is unlikely to win it all, but it would make a sound 9-man rotation. Too good to tank with. Tanking is but an athlete's rationalization for impotence.

soupman · Jun 21, 2011

The idea of a C-PF tandem of Thabeet-Montejieunas (sp?) down the road is interesting, if BOTH of them panned out. Of course, if Aunt Sally had a pair she'd be Uncle Bob...

rpr52121 · Jun 21, 2011

soupman said: ↑

The idea of a C-PF tandem of Thabeet-Montejieunas (sp?) down the road is interesting, if BOTH of them panned out. Of course, if Aunt Sally had a pair she'd be Uncle Bob...
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No. She could be Cartman's Dad....

inishi · Jun 21, 2011

ThaShark316_28 said: ↑

Got some silly ass folks around here man.
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Yeah, he can wave his magic wand and move up to whatever pick he wants. Saying **** like that is ignorant. There has to be a willing party which people seem to constantly forget

jump shooter · Jun 21, 2011

soupman said: ↑

The idea of a C-PF tandem of Thabeet-Montejieunas (sp?) down the road is interesting, if BOTH of them panned out. Of course, if Aunt Sally had a pair she'd be Uncle Bob...
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LOL. If Thabeet just halfway pans out, Morey would turn into an instant god around here.

Tom Bombadillo · Jun 22, 2011

LongTimeFan said: ↑

Gee, why didn't I ever think of that? I'm going to assume you're on dark style.
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No way dude, dark is for chumps...

HMMMHMM · Jun 22, 2011

<style type='text/css'>.bbpBox83572926389026816 {background:url(http://a0.twimg.com/images/themes/theme15/bg.png) #022330;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style> <div class='bbpBox83572926389026816'><p class='bbpTweet'>Doing a live chat at Chron.com at noon. Will discuss draft in general and Rockets' options, including potential deals to move into top 10.<span class='timestamp'><a title='Wed Jun 22 16:31:53 +0000 2011' href='http://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/statuses/83572926389026816'>less than a minute ago</a> via <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com" rel="nofollow">TweetDeck</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=83572926389026816'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png' /> Favorite</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=83572926389026816'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png' /> Retweet</a> <a href='http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=83572926389026816'><img src='http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png' /> Reply</a></span><span class='metadata'><span class='author'><a href='http://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen'><img src='http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/434115502/JF_headshot_normal.PNG' /></a><strong><a href='http://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen'>Jonathan Feigen</a></strong><br/>Jonathan_Feigen</span></span></p></div>

HMMMHMM · Jun 22, 2011

Eric:
Does a trade up, into the top 10, make sense if its any pick other than 1 or 2?

Jonathan Feigen:
Absolutely. I was hoping to get into this. There seems to be almost no chance they can move into the top six. Those teams are talking a lot, but mostly with each other or about the kind of stars the Rockets would try to get, rather than get rid of. The Rockets have talked about deals for the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th picks. The chances are about equal, and not great for any one of those deals. It would depend on if the player the other teams wants is not there, or available later, and if the player the Rockets want is there. I think they would probably chase Valuncianus.
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http://blog.chron.com/nba/2011/06/join-jonathan-feigen-for-nba-draft-chat/

J.R. · Jun 22, 2011

Comment From MattMaloney MattMaloney: ]

Question: Is Brad Miller returning or retiring? Any chance Chuck Hayes isn't back?
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Jonathan Feigen:

Miller said he plans to return. His microfracture surgery was to a non weight bearing part of the knee and was in just a very small area. Unlike most microfracture patients, the Rockets believe he will actually return more mobile than before the surgery. There is definitely a chance Chuck won't be back. The Rockets already have 11 players with guaranteed contracts and plan on drafting at least one more. But Morey has been on the record that he intends to sign Chuck and Chuck wants to return.
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As previously said, Rockets talking to teams in 7-10 range

HMMMHMM · Jun 22, 2011

Nathan (Houston)
Do you think the Rockets will look for Yao's replacement in the draft ?

Chad Ford (1:46 PM)
No replacement for Yao, but it sounds like they'd like a big. They are talking to both Charlotte and Bucks about packaging 14 & 23 to move up to 9 or 10. Valanciunas is the target I think. At 14 they could go with Nikola Vucevic or Markieff Morris.
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http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/39015

LongTimeFan · Jun 22, 2011

Vucevic or Morris at #14? Yuck. I damn sure hope not. We don't need to get desperate.

J.R. · Jun 22, 2011

Comment From KD KD: ]

Have McHale hired any assistant coaches yet? Is Finch being brought in so we can continue to run Adelman's offense?
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Jonathan Feigen:

No. The Rockets have put the assistant coach hirings on hold until July. That is partly because of the draft, but also because there is at least one candidate whose team did not give permission to interview. Some decisions could come sooner, but it looks like there will be no news for a little while more. The Rockets are very high on Finch. If McHale picks him, that would be part of his job, but not the only reason to hire him.
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Comment From Terry1 Terry1: ]

I am still shocked at the choice of McHale for coach. What was the real reason for the departure of Adelman...and why McHale above the other candidates?
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Jonathan Feigen:

The Rockets wanted changes in the way Rick does things, including changes to his staff. He was not willing to make those changes or demote or remove assistants than had done so well for him. The Rockets were simply most impressed with McHale. He is an impressive guy. They were willing to look past the resume and judge for themselves from what they could see in the process.
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HMMMHMM · Jun 22, 2011

The Rockets sent out a draft pronunciation guide today. Is that another sign they're drafting a Euro?
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http://twitter.com/Allen_Reid/statuses/83597459489697792

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