Sir, I believe that little segment should be directed right toward you. Wait, I have one better just for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iubog28_KBI :grin:
I consider myself realistic enough to at least not come off as a total homer when it comes to objectively analyzing the Rockets in comparison to the rest of the league. I'm not saying that the Rockets have the BEST array of assets to offer in trades, but I think you might be selling them a bit short: NOP first round pick Terrence Jones Clint Capela Donatas Motiejunas Future first rounders (starting in 2017) Troy Daniels Many, many second round picks A $8.4M trade exception (to take back additional salary) Expiring contracts (Terry, Papanikolaou) That combination of "assets" -- combined with a winning situation to which a star player about to hit free agency would want to go -- probably at least puts them on a relatively short list of good teams to which a star player with enough leverage can force his way. Again, I'm not holding my breath about acquiring a third star anytime in the near future. But if someone moves, I'd probably give the Rockets a better chance than you seem to be giving them.
As well as Nick Johnson, Papa, Beverley...we can't offer a deal like the Cavs did for Love, but dealing for a less than perfect all-star (Rondo?) isn't unreasonable.
Every one not named Harden, Howard and Ariza could be put in the asset category at this time. Morey is definitely bout that trade life.
The Cavs overpaid for Love because Lebron gave the leverage back (willingly) to Minnesota, their offer was twice the value of anyone else's
I get what you are saying. As of right now though no one has a contract you would have to send out sweetener in order to move. Except maybe Terry but as the season goes on the value of his expiring contract goes up.
The Rockets have a ton of tradable assets. What they really don't have is a package that is realistic to get a true max contract on their books... without giving up Ariza mind you. I see the Rockets right now setup nicely to acquire a good player or two, but not really a great one. If a Paul Millsap, Gallinari, or Rondo(yes his value is not on par with superstar level) truly becomes available, I think the Rockets are setup nicely to make a play. If OKC decides randomly to move Kevin Durant this year there is no way in hell the Rockets have neither the contracts, or the assets to compete for a truly superstar talent.... at least not yet (Morey could trade up in contracts, or Capela/D-Mo/Jones could explode onto the scene). I expect a move or two this year that will help the team, but it won't happen till late December at the earliest. For the Rockets to get one of their "targets" they really need things to shake out in the league for awhile, and they need the trade market to actively open up... which is does majorly around late December when teams can start moving or combing contracts with players recently signed over the Summer. There won't be much to see for awhile. Let's try to enjoy this team for the first act of the show. The second act will be here soon enough.
Why is everyone so Hell bent on settling for what ever instead of just waiting... Why take on a bad contract or a rental? Just doesn't make sense... T_Man
Exactly. While I greatly value cyberx's contributions, his strength is not knowledge of our roster and assets. At all. We could certainly aim for a Rondo, a Millsap.
I get that Dwight has only so many prime years left... But what sense does it make to trade just for the sake of making a trade instead of trying to get the right piece... Why give up so much for just anything... Dwight's prime doesn't end in before December... T_Man
Maybe the frustrations are in part all the previous trades made in recent years, only to now want to trade back some of those players (ie Dragic & Lowry). And now we've traded (or lost) some very decent trade assets (Assik, Parsons & Lin) for what seems next to nothing. (Other than reduced wages/salary cap). Big hopes this offseason which fizzed in 1 BAD weekend. Personally I'm ok starting the season with the lineup we have. (Excluding the lack of depth on our bench) See how the chips fall over the first 1-2 months and then trade for what we need. I don't see us getting a franchise superstar now (Dragic the exception). And trading for Rubio is not an improvement. Beverley and Jones are young (well Jones more so). I'd hate to trade them for a better known equal player only to have those 2 develop into very good players for other teams.
What do you think the package for a Rubio would be? I am thinking the 2015 NOP 1st + F/C Clint Capela + G Isaiah Canaan + F Josh Powelll (cap purposes) + 2016 HOU 2nd? If Minnesota took that deal, I would turn around to deal G Jason Terry + NYK 2nd + HOU 2nd to MIL for F Ersan Ilyasova Ilyasova is an intriguing piece as the IIRC the 3rd year of his contract s not guaranteed. So if the trade deadline rolls around in Feb and Ilyasova is playing okay, but Millsap wants out of ATL.... you can flip Ilyasova + future protected 1st to ATL for Millsap Rubio // Beverley // Ish Smith Harden // Daniels // Johnson Ariza // Papa // Garcia Ilyasova or Millsap // Jones // Adrien Howard // Montiejunas // Dorsey Still would have Lin TPE to absorb a contract (or two) + BAE
The packages we seem to be able to put together look as if they would be beat easily by other teams. We need to just face the fact that Morey gave away all our assets for nothing and the team pretty much is what it is. He gambled, shot a heat check, and missed game over.
I don't know if I should be concerned or relieved that ours isn't the only bball forum inundated with insiders
