The reason is their contracts. Once we acquire guys like Love or Aldridge, we will be cap out. We will be forced into a win now mode without any future flexibility. Faried and Cousins are all on their rookie contracts and can 'grow' together with our core players...much like the Thunder.
Rockets need to spend their cap space wisely, whoever Rockets choose to sign their stuck with that player....NO borderliners!...that means guys like , Millsap, Jefferson, Igoudala guys that are OK, but not true all stars! Rockets should be going after Chris Paul, Bynum, Love, Cousins, Aldridge, Smith..I'm willing to be patient and wait and see if one of these guys demands a trade. This next Max player will be the difference from being a championship contender or just a 1st/2nd round playoff exit. We need to get our rookies as many minutes as possible in hope one develops into an all-star. Guys like Tjones, Montiejunas, White..no d league!..throw them in the fire! Harden+2nd Max Signing+Allstar rookie+chemistry+coaching=contender. Rockets have a long way to go! Rockets must hit home runs in the draft and free agency to avoid getting stuck in mediocrity.
Josh Smith is about to turn 27 in a month or so, he was born in 1985 just like Milsap and Aldridge. Besides that, Smith isn't worth a max contract, given his limitations on the offensive end. We need someone around the same age group as Harden, someone born in 1988 or later, who is also a two way player, and has the talent to become a star. Guy's like Paul George comes to mind, although we would have to offer one heck of a extraordinary trade offer for the Pacers to even consider it ...
