Before you start whining about Goran getting $7-9 million per and Asik getting $8 per, keep in mind the Rockets can't tank by putting out a team of 12 rookie's and NBDL players playing for the minimum. They must meet the minimum cap of 80%, which is $46.345 million for the 2012-13 season. It looks like Morey has finally come to the realization that Houston is not a destination disgruntled superstars want to go to, and he'll have to use his stat sheet to play inexperienced, high potential guys and collect more of those. And then maybe, just maybe, lure in a superstar with the promise of young potential around him if they can land a top talent in the 2014 draft, or finds one of his young picks (Lamb, White) is capable of playing at a high ceiling. As Clutch mentioned, the 2014 draft has a couple of huge KD esque prospects and the Rockets are hopefully considering a serious tank ahead of that season. That still leaves them with this season to deal with, and the expiring contract of Kevin Martin (that they'll hold onto, or trade for another expiring) + players like Scola mean they'll have another season of mediocrity ahead, instead of the god awfulness that would be truly best for the future. Signing Goran and Asik don't hurt the Rockets chances of landing a top draft pick in the next 2 years. Because well... the money has to go somewhere, and they give them a foundation of young talent without propelling them into young and dangerous (like the Grizz) territory. Martin $13m Dragic $8m Asik $8m Scola $9.4m (will be actively shopped to contenders around trade deadline) Lowry $5.75m (traded for equal salary or exception + pick) + a bunch of rookie contracts to make sure they ease past the $46m mark while remaining under the cap. If it were up to me, Martin and Scola would have been gone 2 years ago. But as things stand, it's one more season of mediocrity while naively hoping a superstar falls into their laps, then a massive tank (KMart and Scola won't be back) with a fast, young lineup for the 2014 lottery. And by trading Lowry and Scola, you hope the Rockets have more than 1 high pick.
I fully expect Lowry and Martin to be gone in the next few weeks, and probably Scola as well. They will be replaced with equal or near-equal salary though.
It is what it is, at this point. Osik/Camby Gasol/Young PF Parsons/Young SF Lee/Lamb Dragic/Livingston
There's absolutely no point to this lineup. It's not good enough to win in the first round as a 7-8 seed, and it's not bad enough to get a highly coveted draft pick. That's why I'm fine with scrubs like those from Milwaukee taking up salary space for a year, instead of experienced vets like Martin, Scola and Gasol who can contribute to getting closer to that sparkly #14 pick. Dwight is going to b**** and moan his way to Brooklyn. Gordon has Anthony Davis in New Orleans. I don't see any big names realistically thinking twice about playing with Dragic as their next best option. Houston needs to come up with a plan, and stick to it.
I'm with you, but I think Morey really wants Gordon. Gordon alone won't have the Rockets contending. Dwight is practically for sure not an option, now. I really think Morey goes after Gasol, and let's the offense goes through him. Because if we really think about it, what's the point of going after Gordon, throwing max money at him, unless Morey has other moves up his sleeve.
With what? An ipad and warm wishes from people on twitter? Morey's gotten beyond desperate and delusional in his old age - he's the 38 year old leathery, unattractive cougar who goes out every night trying to land the "catch" but ends up being some married guy's booty call. Each, and every , time.
To be honest, this team can compete in the playoffs. Title contender? No. 2nd round of the playoffs? I think so.
If the Rockets can get Gordon (big if) I am not sure why there would be interest in trying to tank for 2014. Another smaller if, but if Gordon can stay healthy he can be a really legit scorer in this league and he is only 23 years old. I would be okay with a 1-3 of Dragic, Gordon and Parsons. Then, let's hope one of these young PF's can prove to be special (with White having the best shot in my opinion) and then that leaves center. If the Bulls don't match, perhaps that is Asik or perhaps someone else.
I think they can stay competitive while going younger. The key to the youth movement is getting guys with upside. One of them could eventually develop into that guy that others want to play with. If they could trade some combination of Martin, Scola, Lowry, Patterson and Morris for Josh Smith and a Gordon SnT, they would have a competitive team with room to grow. Dragic/Livingston (eventually Llull) Gordon/Lee/Lamb Parsons/White J Smith/Dmo/Jones Asik/G Smith
This is a bit of straw man. No team has ever failed to meet the minimum salary threshold. If you're worried about meeting the threshold, you can sign guys to one year contracts.
Compete in near future, hope for superstar Tank immediately, give up on superstar Sign mediocre star like Gordon, hope it attracts bigger star Hope for 1 season, tank for 2013-14 Hell if I know what they are thinking .... I cant even choose an option / direction from the above list. I dont believe tanking is ethical but the rules reward it .... With the way contracts are limited , the Rockets can offer more money than other teams to star players. There is little reason at this point for that type of player to "want to be here" as the talent is lacking. The city cant compete with other larger markets for night life / glitz / glamor and its pretty obvious that is something that these players place a high priority on being that they are young and wealthy .... they have stars in their eye's. Few of them care about the "no income tax" in Texas , its just not a priority as they have more than enough money at the time being .... even tho many are broke a few years after leaving the league. We're talking about 20somethings for the most part. Think of when you were 20 where your priorities were .... gettin laid , goin to the best clubs , hangin out with "important people" , driving fancy cars , wearin fancy duds and hot chicks in bikini's. If they want that star , I feel like they almost have to draft that player , be it in the lottery or striking gold with a later pick.
