Would you rather end up with Dwight, even with the risk of only having him a year? Or would you rather trade up and draft Drummond for the foreseeable future, even with the high risk high reward label that Drummond has?
Dwight. I know you have a hard on for Drummond, but let's be real, I'd rather take a superstar than an 18 year old kid every day of the week.
It's all about how long we can keep Howard, though. Unless we win it all with Howard, having a superstar won't matter if he leaves after one year. In fact, that's the worst case scenario. Trading lots of pieces for Howard = Rockets competitive = lose out in the second round? Third? = Howard leaves, and Rockets first round pick ends up in the late 20s.
I don't think that Morey would risk all of this for a 1 year rental if he believed that the odds were in his favor to resign Dwight. Morey is a calculated risk guy, and I don't think you're giving him enough credit if you believe that Dwight is just going to walk away leaving us empty handed.
I would have said Dwight, even as a one year rental, until he had back problems. He will never be the same and will have a shorter career. Had to pick Drummond.
Sure, but how can Morey possible know what Dwight is thinking? Unless we have a spectacular year with just Dwight, or get more good pieces around Howard so that the team is good, it would be hard to stay here.
Like I said, calculated risk. The chances of us landing and keeping Dwight (a bona fide superstar) are loads better than the chances of a player in this draft that isn't named Anthony Davis turning into a superstar. I'm of the opinion that if we land Dwight, and assuming we have the cap room to do it, we will be able to also sign Deron Williams. (Alex Kennedy is of the same opinion) If that doesn't get Dwight to stay then I don't know what will. Then there's the whole money on the table issue, but I don't want to get into that if I don't have to.
That superstar was once 18 and in the NBA himself and he grew into what he is now. So Drummond cant do that too? With the post tutors like McHale, CD, Dream, etc. around the H....I know he can. And at least you KNOW you have him lockd in under contract for a few years. Meanwhile......Howard WILL bounce after one season.
setting our team back 3 years in development if howard leaves is a bad decision. 5 good centers in the draft that are quicker and overall more athletic than he is but they just dont jump as high. We should take one of them and develop him. We gain nothing from dwight on this team except one year of his blocks and dunks+ early ass kicking in playoffs if we make it. After that we get 17th pick and he is gone to the team of his choosing.
I don't believe that Howard WILL bounce after one season, as per my reasons stated above. Also, Drummond has lots of potential, but the guy could also be the next Hasheem Thabeet or DeAndre Jordan (at best). The risk of that happening is a lot higher than the risk that Dwight leaves, in my opinion. That's why I say Dwight over Drummond.
Dwight lets go all in one year and live with the consequences. The thunder looked beatable and the spurs are old. if we get howard, dragic, lee, scola (if hes not traded) ill take my chances with making it to the western conference finals. better than anything weve done in the last 15 years.
Immediately: I would take Howard. This would give us more appeal to other FA to sign. If you can resign him, that is even better. If we miss out on DH for any reason (Orlando's asking price, injury, or insecurity on ability to resign) I will be perfectly happy with taking a chance on Drummond.
Obviously we'd be ABLE to sign him...but would he want to come here? As of now that is a firm "NO"...
I would take Drummond over Dwight at this point, only because of Dwights odd hate of Houston. It's clear he doesn't want to be here. Drummond, when entering the league, may try to prove what he is worth, and may put an effort into contributing to the team.
