I am pretty sure Williams is redundant with Brewer, Brooks all playing SG. One full time and one part time. Henriquez Williams, Covington, Casspi and then Brooks I'd like to cut Cambyman but I think he is staying for the veteran leadership and he will miss many games. Trade: Greg Smith, Asik for now
@HoustonRockets: Rockets announce they have released C Jordan Henriquez. HOU roster now down to 17 players.
Yeah Camby really should be let go. He would be the best veteran voice in our locker room, but come on, there isn't a minute for him all season. Whenever Howard is off Asik is on, and if it's a blowout we need Greg to get his PT. I don't think Greg Smith should be cut cuz he can play both PF and C and he's still young. Brewer we can let go of too, he's got no offense, backs up Harden who plays most the game, and Garcia can be used when we need perimeter defensive plays. He did great in the playoffs I thought. I would cut Camby and Brewer. I doubt Morey cuts Camby. I think he'll cut Brewer and .... Smith?
On the flip side, many of Lins fans find the novelty of seeing the first Asian American succeed in a predominantly African American sport as an event that outweighs the opportunity of being a part of a legitimate championship contender. You tell me - what more rare today? Now I don't necessarily agree with putting the hype above the purpose and I think most clutchfans would agree Lin only cares about winning a championship like anyone given the opportunity to play at this level. In this case it's a matter of perspective, ones reason and logic be damned.
Why does a single person think that a player with trade value (Greg Smith) is going to get cut? Also, regarding the idea that Marcus Camby or any player will be kept primarily for "veteran leadership": Daryl Morey does not subscribe to this mind-numbingly stupid practice. I will be pretty shocked if Robert Covington is cut. Morey pretty obviously seeks to stash two roster players in the developmental league. The alternative is to stash a guy on injured reserve, which is also a stupid practice and a waste of a roster spot. That's what the end of the bench is for. Thus, it seems obvious to me that the roster gets trimmed down by either a) a a 2-for-1 deal (maybe two 2-for-1 deals) involving Omer Asik and/or Jeremy Lin, b) a player-for-draft pick trade (maybe two such trades) involving Greg Smith, Donatas Motiejunas, and/or Terrence Jones, c) cutting one (or two) among Reggie Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Aaron Brooks, Omri Casspi, and/or Marcus Camby, or d) a combination of two of the three options listed here. I think Morey will spend a large amount of time this month exploring all of these options. Keep an eye on how Isaiah Canaan plays this month. If he is looking like a good rotation player right out of the gate then a Jeremy Lin salary dump (e.g., to Milwaukee for Caron Butler's expiring contract and a draft pick) may be the way to go.
Asik Cannan and D-Mo get traded to Portland for Aldridge. Lin/Beverly/Brooks Harden/Brewer/Williams Parsons/Garcia/Covington Aldridge/Jones/Casspi Howard/Smith/Camby
After 3 games and 5 more left before cuts are due, I guess we can start to have some rational discussion about RIGHT NOW where we are. Locks- PG: Lin, Beverley SG: Harden, Garcia(earned spot) SF: Parsons PF: D-Mo, Jones, Casspi(earned spot with play) C: Howard, Asik That's 10 locks out of 15. Here are our other groupings. Possible injured casualty- Reggie Williams, Smith, & Camby Unfortunately for him, his injury is looking to cost him a spot. However, mind you, Casspi has pretty much locked up a spot in 3 games, and there are 5 left for Williams to have a similar breakout performance. Its still possible, but he's got a pretty uphill battle from here on out.... if he even lasts another week on the roster. Camby has a much better shot at making the roster cut simply because he's Marcus Camby and comes with a pretty high pedigree. Also, if there is a major injury to either Asik, Howard, or a major trade he's going to become a HUGE part of this teams bench in the 2nd half of the season. Smith should either make the roster or be traded. I think he has too much value later in the season to be waived. Still the fact is, he's been hurt and thats hurt his rotation minutes which could make him a casualty. GM's out there probably wont give much if anything for Smith because they know his contract is un-guaranteed and Morey will probably just waive him if he has to. The best case scenario would be that there is multiple teams interested in him, and he starts a bidding war for trades. Rookies who look like Rookies and probably wont contribute this year- Canaan & Covington Lets face it..... these guys look like rookies. They need a season or two to develop. Canaan needs to get comfortable running a team, and scoring against NBA players within the offense, and Covington needs to develop more ball handling/play-making skills to play the 2/3. Now, I know these guys have guaranteed dollars on their contracts, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are locks to make the roster. I love both of their potential, but lets keep in mind that Morey wants to win now. I wouldn't be hugely shocked if either Canaan gets traded for a future 2nd rounder or Covington gets waived for this simple fact. Still I would be a little surprised... I know Morey sees and I see a ton of potential in both guys, and would like to see keep the RGV Vipers interesting this year. Vet Players on the bubble- Brewer & Brooks Brooks has looked ready to give an offensive spark off the bench either as the PG or off guard next to Bev/Lin. He looks like he has something to prove and alot of BBall left to play, but just not sure if its going to be on this team or not. Brewer looks a bit rusty to me, but as the season progresses and the competition gets fierce in the half-court I like having him on the roster as someone who has the size to give 2's and 3's headaches on the defensive end. Still not sure if that's enough for him to beat out a high upside rookie or Brooks. ...................................................................................................... If I was GM right now, who would I cut- Reggie Williams & Corey Brewer IMO, I would assume Williams is probably first to go unless he gets healthy and goes on a Williamsanity spree. The last cut is the hardest. I would probably cut Brewer right now as the last cut. I like Brewer a lot on this team, but I think there are other guys who could eventually be able to do what he does if they buy into that role. Covington especially strikes me as someone who has the tools physically to be a very good defensive player at the 2/3. I would have a sit down conversation with him after the cuts to let him know that they hated cutting Brewer, but are now asking him to take the responsibility of being a pit-bull on defense in stretches when they need a long athletic player to reek havoc.
Wouldn't Smith make a better back-up than Camby? At least we can rely on Smith staying healthy, and although he prefers to play the 4 he is physically strong enough to play the 5. Smith has done a decent job last season whenever he finished games over Asik. Camby's value on the court is questionable, the fact that he doesn't stay healthy doesn't help much either.
We signed Williams a few days after we got Howard. I feel like Morey sees something in him and wouldn't give up on him yet. Camby should be cut but I agree, I doubt he would not only because he's a veteran but also in case morey has trade plans for Asik later on this season. I really think we don't need brewer. Garcia is a very capable wing defender and fits the offense, so I don't see many situations where Mchale would opt to have brewer on the court. I wish it were brewer and Camby cut but now I'm thinking morey is leaning towards brewer and Covington. No time for an undrafted rookie. Roll the dice and hope no one picks him up. Doubt you're risking a move that you'll live to regret, especially when you're in win now mode.
Good take overall by dobro1229. My thoughts: 1. One thing to note: McHale mentioned that Camby is getting treatment for his plantar facia injury and if it doesn't start responding to treatment, Camby will have a pretty big decision to make. If the decision is surgery, I wonder what the recovery window is and how this figures into the Rockets' keeping or waiving trade him. My guess is that they want to keep Camby if there is a decent chance of him contributing for even just the later part of the season and the playoffs but it'll depend on how badly they want to keep one of the other end-of-roster guys. 2. I agree HOU will explore some options before cuts are due. Not just Greg Smith but Jones may be dangled. Maybe others also. Some possible partners: Philly (Sam Hinkie involved in acquiring those guys for HOU, team in a position to try out young prospects), Dallas (Gersson Rosas connection, but may be wary about strengthening division foe), Utah (another team trying out young guys, Dennis Lindsey connection). Don't expect to get much, though, in return. No more than some 2nd round pick considerations (which might turn out big, actually-- HOU traded Novak for the right to swap 2nd rounders with LAC and used the higher pick to draft Parsons eventually).
One of DMo and Jones may be dealt. Both have shown enough promise so far for teams to be interested. And since both seem to be on the brink of being a contributor, they'll have to let one go to let the guy have full support. I don't think it's a good thing to have two high potential guys sitting on the bench fighting for minutes. And they are already too good to be in the DLeague to gain anything. You've got to give all the developmental minutes to one guy, since we are in the win now mode.
Garcia & Casspi needs playing time. Brewer will probably stay for defense, so I think Williams and brooks will probably be cut. Keep Camby. Even if he sits until the Rockets get closer to the playoffs.
Nah, Canaan is nowhere near ready yet, Brooks is the insurance in case Lin or Bev are forced to miss some games
Laughing at you idiots thinking Caspi was going to be one of the 1st guys cut. The dude can play. He's a hell of a lot better than most of you guys favorite, Brewer.
