You are right about one of the three most likely would beincluded if we trade for an established all star. But no way can I envision a scenario in which any of these three will attract a max offer from a different team when their contracts expire. Morey is not Rick Smith so I feel confident that we won't find ourselves in cap hell two years from now. Morey is always thinking multiple moves ahead. The guy is the ultimate strategist.
Dwight had his way with Asik last time they played. Look for Smith guarding Dwight and Asik guarding Pau. From your list of FA's, there are only a handful that can make Rockets a borderline to bonafide contenders. CP3 and Howard are the obvious ones. I don't believe Pekovic and the rest of your second tier FA's are not what Morey has in mind. If we look at Rockets this year. They are gonna win 45+ game with the youngest and most imexperienced roster in the league. By keeping the core of Asik, Lin, Harden, Parsons and remain status quo, the normal projection for next year will be 5 more games, which take us to 50 win season. That's still fall short of being a bonafide contender. The most glaring hole to our roster is PF. Even with a FA, say Millsap and Smoove, that will probably take us to 55+ games. This is a risk-free way of becoming a borderline contender. We will have an outside shot at the title, probably 3-4 seed in WC. From there, Morey can make small tweaks here and there but still remain as borderline contender. There is no question that Howard is the shortest cut to title contender. Not only we can upgrade Center position, we can also make trade for Asik for a PF. However, if we happen to land Howard, I do not believe Morey will go for Smoove or Millsap. Asik can be traded for a PF who can produce close to the same level as Smoove or Millsap but for a lot less and leave enough room for other role players. Plan A - Howard, trade Asik for undervalued PF (Amir Johnson) Plan B - Sign JSmoove or Millsap and hope the young core or Asik, Harden, Lin and Parson will take their game to the next level.
Don't make the mistake of getting a Prima Donna like DH. Rockets should keep the current roster and add a backup C and veteran PF.
I totally agree with you 100%! I don't understand how some people on here don't think Howard would be a second star on this team and make us a contender. If we got Howard with just a straight up signing, I would put us in the top 2 in the western conference and top three including Miami of course, in the league. The only thing this team would need to do after adding Howard, would be to make shooting free throws better for Howard and Asik a TOP priority. Have them work on it all off season, non stop with specialist. IF they both could get to 70% or above, I would consider the team a favorite to win it all, even over Miami. Asik and Howard down low with Lin and Harden at the top running pick and rolls and swinging the ball side to side with Parsons in the middle of it all, would be DEADLY against any teams' defense. All of our players will be better next year with a full off season and training camp together, plus all the experience that they have acquired this year. Teams would not be able to double off of any of our starting five without paying the price with an open shot. Our defense, which was our weakness this year, would instantly become a top five defense with both Asik and Howard in at the same time. Our perimeter guys would still have to step up a little more than this year, but Lin and Harden taking those chances on steals wouldn't hurt as much with Asik and Howard still protecting the rim, so that would become a more deadly weapon. I expect next year if Howard was here, Parsons would even become more of a defensive stud as he was last year, knowing how much help he has behind him. Our bench would be incredible with Smith and TJones being our primary big back ups. Of course DMo and even TRob would still be helpful in case of injuries or foul trouble in certain games. An Asik/Howard front court compared to what we have had this year with Asik/Patterson, Asik/Morris, Asik/Dmo and Asik/Smith with associating backups, is no comparison and we would probably win at least 10 more games...but I would predict us to be a 60 win team; considering we will finish with probably 46 or 47 this year. With more experience, chemistry and a star like Howard, this team could easily win a lot of games that they lost this year. We would probably lose Garcia, but the rest of our bench would be great as we have this year, keeping Brooks maybe, Delfino and Anderson. If we have to save more money, TRob could possibly be traded for a draft pick and cash. We could still find another backup 2 or 3 if necessary, but we would be pretty set as a team and not need a 3rd superstar I think. I think if Howard chose to sign outright here in the offseason, we would probably win the Championship, but maybe that's the homer in me. The big question is, does HE see it that way also. Lin/Beverley/Brooks Harden/Anderson/? Parson/Delfino/? DHoward/TJones/(TRob) Asik/Smith/DMo 2014 NBA Champions!
Rockets have built a great team. Asik is quite valuable a contributor to this team winning. He gets layups and dunks. He doesn't require shots. But he get's rebounds and plays hard defense. Excellent Pick and Roll player. And the key is that Asik is barely finding his groove. He's been a backup with limited minutes; hungry for playing time. With playing time, he has exceeded his level of production prior. Which means that Asik is still improving.
Personally, I don't think a lineup with Asik and Dwight is what Morey wants. Its pretty clear he wants a PF that can stretch the floor and play a 4-out, 1-in offense (except for when Greg Smith is in the game). It has to be one or the other. I get that Dwight is a freak and all that, but I just like Asik a lot better. He's younger, has a better head on his shoulders, and is much more comfortable the rebound/defend/set screens role. We need a star PF, not a star C.
