Ok, if we get the picks then what? Sign three first rounders, clog our roster, and reduce cap space thereby taking us out of contention for a big free agent splash.
Missing the playoffs while Dallas ending as a top 10 team is already a big hypothetical. Who's to say we need 3 1st round picks this year? The draft isn't deep, it is top heavy. Even Morey has said he preferred the mid/late 1st round of last year's class. The answer is blatantly obvious. Make the playoffs. Not only does it increase the value of our players, (it most certainly would, especially in the national spotlight.) Having 3 first round picks would hamper our cap flexibility somewhat, when we could be spending that money toward Lee/Dragic. We will owe the pick to New Jersey next year should we miss the playoffs. It's imperative we get rid of the obligation now. Considering the fact that we need to make a large move at some point, the sooner Morey is able to trade his own pick, the better shape we will be in. I'm still unclear what the purpose of prolonging this would be. The Dallas pick isn't going anywhere. Why does it have to be this year? Whether we choose a player or keep the pick, they are both asetts. Who wouldn't prefer an unprotected pick in down the line? We have Donatas Motiejunas, Marcus Morris, and possibly Llull coming over next year and you want to add 3 more first round rookies? How would we find time to play all of these guys to begin with? Morris still hasn't seen significant time this year. Wouldn't it make more sense to retain our cap flexibility and end our obligation with New Jersey? Would you rather have a disgruntled, underused late first round pick, or a tangible asset in the Mavericks pick? I'm simply astounded at the results. Are we really that conditioned for instant gratification that we really cant see what is best for the organization?
The goal is obviously playoffs. We stole the Dallas pick and still have the NY pick. Let's just get our obligation to NJ out of the way by making the playoffs so that Morey has another pick in his arsenal for moves after this year.
Deron Williams didn't mind coming to Houston. We have to compete with Dallas but doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue him.
Miss it and take the picks, for sure. Trade Scola and Martin for two more if you can pull it off. I LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE this draft. People always think a draft class is more shallow than it is early on. The tourney always sheds light on guys you didn't hear about before. International prospects don't pick up chatter until late May most of the time. Austin Rivers projected at 17? He goes no later than 3 a year ago and would give Irving a run for #1. Doron Lamb would have gone late lottery a year ago, now he's an early second rounder...and he's actually improved.
Most we could get of Martin and Scola is maybe Brand's and nocioni's expiring contracts in 2013, and their 2013 1st lotto-protected. Not that much value We also have Morris, Donatas, Parsons, and Patterson. How many more young guys do we need?
My dream scenario: 1. Rockets and NY miss the Playoffs we get the 9th and 13th picks along with Dallas's 22nd. 2. We trade 14th + 22nd with Martin(exp) and Morris to Portand for Lamarcus Aldridge, Portalnd is in full rebuild mode. 3. Draft Jeremy Lamb at 9. 4. Resign both Lee and Dragic. 5. Trade Lowry and Patterson to the Kings for Demarcus Cousins. 6. Hopefully Llull and Donuts see potential in this team and agree to buyouts. 7. Amnesty Scola's contract and sign Andre Miller to a reasonable deal if not sign Fortson. Dragic/Miller/Fortson??? CLee/JLamb Parsons/Bud Aldridge/Donuts/Smith Cousins/Camby/Dalembert I really like this team and think it could go very far in the payoffs.
i think it's a win-win situation either way. I truly believe that a playoff-run will bode well for our chances to resign Dragic (although it's also likely to increase his asking price). I also would enjoy seeing what our scrappy team can do in the 1st round. You never know, we just might surprise someone. But if we do fall short, the #14 pick is actually a pretty good consolation prize. I do not share Bima's belief that it's better to satisfy our NJ obligation this year as opposed to using the pick. I am impressed with the potential talent in this draft all the way past #14, and I am encouraged by the possiblity of packaging some of our picks to move up and get an impact player.
Morris is already not getting minutes, and room will have to be made for D-Mo when he comes over. What are the chances that we actually have room for the three draft picks to play?
First of all, OMR, I'm seriously not trying to be a smartass here. On the flipside, you've now taken a very snarky tone with me on multiple occasions, and not in a playful teasing sense (like CH) or in a vigorous but respectful disagreement (like leebigez). I'm a big boy and can take it, but I don't really appreciate it. I respect you as a poster and your opinions in general. Please show me the same courtesy. Let's try to keep things civil here, please. Like another poster said, I'm just stating facts. Actually, you'd be surprised how many posters here don't fully understand the pick obligation issues. You happen to be more knowledgeable that many posters. Don't just assume that everyone knows these things. Yes, you may be right that I care too much about the flexibility issue; but it's certainly not "stupid". Frankly, I find it insulting to the intelligence of many Rockets fans who take this (very reasonable albeit not fundamentally correct) position. To make a poll asking if people want 3 picks or 1 pick, then to get snippy when someone tries to clarify the real choice (claiming that everyone knows this) and at the same time downplay that differing opinion as "stupid" just makes you look completely and utterly biased. I'm not saying this to discredit you. It's just that you shouldn't get upset with people disagreeing with you (or, in my case, simply clarifying the overall choice that the poll attempts to gauge) when you are doing the same thing--and then some--to others. Bingo. People always claim they want to add promising young players, but if there's no PT for them, there's not much point. Barring some unforeseen major trade for a star (in which case most of us would be thrilled and not really give a crap about how many first round picks the Rockets have this year), the Rockets will be adding at least two high-quality rookies next year (Motiejunas and the Knicks' pick [or better if the DAL pick is packaged to move up in the draft]). Add those two players to a team featuring Budinger, Patterson, Parsons, Morris, Smith--ALL under the age of 24--and there's plenty of youth to go around on the 2012-13 Houston Rockets.
Miss the playoffs and risk having 3 busts for lottery picks? No thanks. If we make the playoffs then we get immediate rewards. Besides the squad that we have really should noticed more and a playoff run would allow more exposure. If by some chance we don't make the playoffs then let us have the 3 picks. Let these guys play their hearts out in the meantime. It is fun to watch.
Portland's in rebuild mode, but that's a bad move for the blazers. Also Wes matthews is most likely to be moved with LMA due to his bad contract.
Can we put a caveat on the "Big boy and can take it" comment, along the lines of "Most of the time"? I am totally jerking your chain Bima, but that comment made me chuckle after I removed those bus tire tracks from my back during our little brooohahah over Nene. I think we all get under each others skin from time to time anyway, the anonymity of the internet and the lack of context when reading posts and emails can cause that. DD
Remember the other times we had 3 mid first round picks? 1998 we got Michael Dickerson, Bryce Drew and Mirisad Turckan. In 2001, we drafted Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, and Brandon Armstrong, and turned them into Eddie Griffin.
