[NYPost] Rockets could make push for Carmelo (UPDATE: Blog post)

would be nice to have a consistent scoring threat

 

Where is Durant?

 

It's definitely obvious were going for a third star. And i also def believe we will land one. I believe moreys list is similar to what you got if only slightly modified.

Lebron, he's the top target of course but highly a pipedream
Durant, obvious number two target and slight interest from both parties
Love, just a perfect player and fit for this system
Bosh, still a better player than aldridge and better fit
Aldridge, very good player and fit
Melo, could be a fantastic 3/4 in our system next to Parsons
Dirk, likely the most perfect fit but much older
Rondo, we know he's interested but probably not as strong as the others

I don't think we target gasol, either one. My dark horse candidates would be kyrie/wall/horford

 

Bima or JR could we send Lin Asik and Chandler for Melo?

 

Actually just the opposite. Getting your third star this offseason means you can then go over the cap to resign Parsons. We'd be in luxury tax for a couple of years but Les said he'd do it for a true contender.

 

Hard to believe the credibility of a source that thinks Asik is a power forward. In any case, I'm against any pursuit of Melo. He's talented but doesn't have the right mentality. Unfortunately, he might be the most available star. But, if he's the option for the third star, I might prefer to go with an early Parsons contract and start in the MLE market a year early.

(I think if we can't get anything of the no-brainer targets, we should make a play for Nowitzki. Mavs need a rebuild and shouldn't bring him back (they might, but they shouldn't). He's old, but has a game that ages well, and he just seems like he'd be killer with our roster.

 

I came into this thread to say this...when he doesnt have to be the man, the guy is an absolute monster. This team would run circles around other teams, even with the lack of defense. Just too much fire power for teams to deal with.

 

A couple of losses and a crowd of people are ready to toss the crew in an effort to right the ship. A few days ago, some of you were at Home Depot, looking for some polish ahead of getting that trophy. How fickle the fans!

A whole bunch of us have watched several years of fruitless, if vigorous, efforts to acquire one superstar. Finally, we get James Harden, a gamble, and bingo! Superstar in hand, possibly the best shooting guard in the league, one who's the whole package. Handle, range, can take it to the hoop at an elite level, draws fouls at a ridiculous rate, and on and on. Everything except good, consistent defense, not that Harden isn't capable of defending. It's not enough to contend, so Morey keeps endlessly working the phones. Miracle of miracles, Howard falls into our laps. Early season struggles, but after the deadline, something clicks, and we go on an extended run. A run that finally shines the spotlight of the NBA world and its fans on the Rockets. Joy reigns in Rocket Land. Until 2 losses in a row.

(now you get, "Having said that!")

Having said that, I completely buy Clutch's comments about Morey's attempt to acquire Melo at the deadline. The several years of fruitless effort taught a lesson. If a superstar player is available, if he can be squeezed from a desperate team, or grabbed as a free agent, you go for it. You don't wait for the perfect guy, when the odds of getting him down the road are slim, regardless of how much some of us are willing to believe that it's possible to get that "perfect" fit. You grab the guy if you can do it with a reasonable deal. Heck, a risky deal, because you have to take risks in this league, or any other, to grow a team to a level contending for a championship, which is what any sane fan of Houston wants, unless it's a fan of a player, and not the team.

So yeah, I buy the story, I buy Clutch's information, information he largely sat on for what had to be excellent reasons. I also buy into getting Melo without selling the farm and then confronting the league with an offensive juggernaut. What would be nothing less than an explosion of offense that would rock the NBA's world. Our defense, anchored by Dwight and Bev, and hopefully some effective role players left after a sign and trade (if that's how we get Melo, if we do), who can D up the opposition when called upon (and when the effort is there, no sure thing), and able to step up effectively when the game slows down in the playoffs. The defense has to be good enough to allow what would be our amazing offense to win games. It doesn't have to be elite, although as long as we have Howard and Bev, elite level defense is possible, even if just for stretches during the games.

That's my opinion, anyway. It's also my opinion that this topic won't go away until sometime this summer. The spigot of speculation has now been opened wide, and it's going to be a long, distracting, and frustrating wait to see what happens, if anything.

 

I don't doubt this at all. Honestly, I think that it should surprise no one.

Any time there has ever been even the slightest rumor of a star player being available, the Rockets have been one of the teams mentioned that might try to make that deal work.

I honestly can't think of a time when a star player was available that the Rockets weren't trying to get him.

We were mentioned as trying to get Melo when he was in Denver.
There was the trade that wasn't for Pau Gasol.
We tried to do everything possible to pull off a trade for Dwight from Orlando.
There was the failed iPad attempt to Chris Bosh.
Even recently we were rumored to be pursuing Rondo.
I heard that Morey called about a possible trade for Dirk after we signed Dwight.
How many rumors have there been of us trying to get Aldridge or Love?

If there is a big name player that even maybe be available, I almost just assume that Morey is going to explore the options of potentially working a deal.

The chances of us getting him are still pretty slim. Whether or not he would be a good fit is debateable. But of course Morey is going to try to see if it could work.

 

Great. Here we go again Clutchfans...

 

Our games would have nba jams scores

 

I've been against going for a third "superstar" because there is only one basketball, and it's difficult for all three to play to their full potential when they have to share the ball. However, I think it's clear that Dwight is not a "superstar" on the offensive end of the court, so now I'm warming up to the idea of adding another "superstar" scorer to pair up with Harden. I don't know if Melo would be my first choice, but Morey is going to do what he is going to do. I think it's clear that Morey is going to go after pretty much anyone that is considered a "superstar" at this point.

If we made the trade, I guess we would have to offer something like Lin, Asik, Parsons, TJones, and draft picks.

 

Didn't read everyones post but to those talking about keeping parsons too. If we get melo parsons is gone. Also Phil giving us melo just seems impossible. Not saying it wouldn't happen because of those, cuz I doubt he would be that petty, but still, so many obstacles.
Golden states fire sale is a little different . Igoudala didn't get paid the max.
I'd say the best way of this happening is sign and trade with ny and offering up parsons asik lin and a pick. But even then, think about Dolan actually taking Lin back, Phil helping the rockets, and how expirings don't mean much to the Knicks cuz most of their team is expiring next year anyway with Tyson and amare

 

Well said. I particularly agree with the short memory comment. I often wonder how quickly people forget just how good we have it now in comparison to the dark years post T-Mac/Yao. Of course we can and should be looking to get better. I've always thought Melo had the potential to be as good of a player as he is a scorer. Those Olympics performances people are referencing show that great players can always find ways to play with each other. Think about it. Once we acquired Howard we all saw Harden throw more lobs/bounce passes on the break. It's because he knew Dwight could catch and finish. Typically great players like playing with other great players. I think it's worth the risk.

 

Credibility of the source is true, but you put 2 +2 together ourselves (No major deadline deals, no MLE signee, signees all have non-guaranteed deals, reluctance to take back salary for Asik, etc.) + you get confirmation from what Clutch is hearing himself, and lastly you have heard Morey himself say that you absolutely need 2 stars to compete, but you might need 3 actually, and its safe to say that yes the Rockets would go for another star.

If the Knicks are willing to talk S&T for Melo than I think you have to do it. Lets face it, Lin & Asik need to be moved one way or another this Summer or next year so your essentially getting Melo for dead weight contracts & a few late 1st round picks.

I agree that Nowitzki and Kevin Love are easier fits, but lets face it... Dirk and Cuban have a lovefest with each other that will "Never Tear us Apart...." (80's pop music reference) and Kevin Love.... well I think his #1 priority is getting the super max and the Rockets will probably have a much more difficult time convincing Minnesota to take back Lin & Asik given their priorities after losing Love.

I'm not in love with the idea of Melo over other stars, but I am in love with the idea of Melo over constantly trying to plug in people like Casspi, and D-Leaguers hoping one of them turn a corner with the Rockets one day. I think you take the gamble on Melo if you can get him, and dont think twice.

 

This. You take the chance and if it doesn't work out well, you trade Melo for another All Star that hopefully fits.

A 100% guaranteed all star is nearly ALWAYS a better bet than random players from the d-league and off the waiver wire.

 

While Melo and Harden may overlap in certain skill sets, I think the importance of having two bonafide go to scorers is being underplayed.

Also there is the certain advantage of having one of them on the court at all times meaning there should not be any offensive lulls.

 

He's got 2 years left on his contract. We're getting our 3rd star before then. He's not even close to being on the market. Everybody I listed is a free agent after next season. That's our window to add a third superstar because of Parsons' contract.

Durant is just not feasible to consider right now on the list....not unless something significant starts developing in OKC. So therefore he's not on the list. IF something changes with him or OKC...of course he'd be right there behind Lebron.

 

I'm sure the Knicks would take Parsons in a Sign and Trade. He's the best thing they could get.

And don't give me that "Parsons can't leave, he's a key piece".

Ya, he's a key piece. But Carmelo would be the 3rd star.

You simply don't choose Parsons over Melo.

 

No Parsons is not gone if we get Melo or a third superstar. That's the whole deal. Morey will wait until 2015 free agency if he has to, to get a third superstar and keep Parsons. Parsons is our ace in the hole. He's our 4th best player when we get that third superstar. And we build out around that four.


I really, really wish you guys would realize we ain't trading Parsons. That one should be as plain as the nose on your face.

Now...perhaps 2 or 3 years from now after we've got our 3rd superstar and Parsons has gotten his big contract from us....then perhaps then we may possibly entertain trading Parsons and other assets for a 4th superstar. But giving away Parsons in a deal for another superstar when we are looking at maximum cap space after next season........it simply isn't going to happen. I wish we could ban every post that suggest trading Parsons. They are a complete waste of time and bandwidth.