Stein: Rockets offering anyone in bottom third to free up spot

I'm not buying it. Like Bima said, Black is only guaranteed $125K and I think Morey just wants to get him a roster spot.

 

My guess is that because the Rockets don't want to just cut Black, they kind of took the opportunity to kind of gauge the trade value of all their players that don't help immediately. If someone makes an offer they can't refuse, they won't. But that's the kind of call every GM makes when they have a roster crunch.

 

I want Canaan to stay over any of those guys.

I honestly think Canaan is going to be a special player. He can create shots and has the clutch gene that Harden has.

 

he won't get 30 "no's"
most is 29
morey can't trade with himself lol

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Rockets were confident they'd find palatable deal soon to open roster spot for Smith. HOU preference is one more trade over waiving someone</p>&mdash; Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/547975043800907776">December 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

.....

 

marc stein is trying to get licks in...

he's a bit salty his christmas was ruined because cuban claus didn't deliver..


also does this mean that dragic is no longer in our plans without dmo being involved in talks?

 

But he can outsmart himself.

 

With McHale inexplicably not playing Canaan much of this season, and the recent surge in Nick johnson's mins...I'm starting to think Morey might've asked Mchale beginning of the season to evaluate who could be next pg for this team. And I'm guessing McHale is telling him he likes Johnson more. maybe i'm way off.

is anyone else coming to a similar conclusion?

 

next pg/next backup pg, whatever*

 

Which makes no sense - he should be the 2nd string PG. I don't know why Johnson, heck, even newly acquired Shved, are ahead of him in the rotation.

 

The rockets seeking trades makes me believe they don't want to cut black. Chances are they want a trade partner who takes talent for a pick and then retain Black. If they didn't want Black, I think by now he would be cut.

 

McHale likes Shved's size and court vision. Plus his name is much more fun to pronounce.

 

I actually see this as more of a favor for the bottom third of the Rockets roster in order to put the player in a spot where the team taking them on is invested enough in them to really try to give them an opportunity to play and show their talent. If you just waive said player, you really put their future in jeopardy. Who knows if they even get picked up (in Dorsey and Black's case of course).

I have no doubt that the Rockets have someone in mind they are more than comfortable waiving (probably Black), but want to gauge the market first for a guy like Johnson or Capela where they could see if they could maybe get a pick or two for either player, and give them opportunity elsewhere.

FYI, Capela would be the perfect player for the Sixers to give up a couple 2nd rounders in order to get. They need more of that raw talent to bring in. Unfortunately for Capela, with the Rockets (If they are going to keep D-Mo and Jones long term), he's just probably never going to get much of an opportunity this year and next and his value, development, and confidence could suffer without significant court time in the future.

 

Morey must be trying to either dump Dorsey's contract OR gain an asset for a player that won't see the light of day again this season due to the new acquisitions (Brewer over Nick, Josh Smith with possibility of Jones return over Dorsey/Black/Capela and for some reason Shved is ahead of Canaan).

 

moving one of our young guys for a pick makes sense. not every team is going to want one of them, but all 29 teams will want a pick. unlike players, picks fit everyone's style of play.

canaan, capela, and johnson for a pick makes it easier to sell PHX on an offer for dragic. what i would want for each is:

johnson: high second round pick
canaan: first rounder
capela: first rounder

 

didn't Mchale not like Lowry that much before he left last time? (could be wrong, genuinely asking as i see that referenced from time to time)

 

How scary would it be if he could.

 

There was a falling out but both have stated they regret the falling out and wish it lasted longer.

 

To: NBA GMs
From: NewAge, (acting on DMoreys behalf)
Re: Christmas-sale price list for Houston Rockets bottom third of roster

clint Capella: lotto protected first round pick. (Clear potential, athletic ability, jumping jack, shotblocker. The next Larry Sanders)

isiah Cannaan. Lotto-protected first round pick. When given time produced at JLin's level for us. Two years along the learning curve, team-friendly contract.

nick Johnson: projected late first round pick or high second round pick. Second rounder in arguably the deepest draft of the century. Has already played significant minutes at NBA level and changed the outcome of an NBA game.

black/Dorsey: second round picks. Serviceable bigs.

Submit your order by 10 am Thursday to ensure Christmas Day delivery.

Happy holidays!