The Rockets might have used up more prospects and future picks due to the "doghouse" more than any other team I can recall. But I guess one thing morph's into the other. Morris turned into Canaan which along with another pick turned into McDaniels so I guess we will see. Terrence Williams was traded for a late 1st rounder which turned into Shane Larkin. However Gobert, Dieng, and Mason Plumlee were still on the board when Shane Larkin was taken. Damn... haven't thought about the T-Will trade in a couple years but crap... could have had one of those 3 guys.... Thanks alot SQUID.
The only way we can really know what the Rocket's think is by observing their actions. Their actions tell me they wanted McDaniels potential, Beverley's D, and Prigioni's contract over Canaan and a few 2nds. Whether there was something else going on in the background is really just a detail that motivated the trade. In the context of acquiring a 3rd star, trading for McDaniels was the right thing to do. If the deadline told us anything, it's that Morey does not believe we are ready to go all in and still need another essential player.
I do agree with this. I think somewhere down the line, maybe after Dwight's second knee injury of the season, Morey and co. seemed to come to the realization that this team just isn't as good as our record shows to compete in the playoffs, and short term band aids probably wont fix the problem. I know people hate the Morey for this, and I know he's going to get flamed again for doing it, but I have a nagging suspicions the Rockets roster other than Harden, Howard, and the young guys (Jones/D-Mo/Capela etc.) you might see a dramatic overhaul once again. They might try for one year deals with Brewer and Smith, but I think they are definitely not done building this roster's core.
I don't why everyone is under the impression that Morey has no input into playing time and that we trade guys for the sake of trading them. Canaan could be doing the same things in Philly that got him in the dog house here but Philly may not care because it isn't about winning there yet. There is more going on behind the scenes that never will see the light of day that goes into building a winning culture. Maybe we should give McHale the benefit of the doubt if he did not want to play him but if this was minor deal, Morey does not strike me as the kind of GM that would willingly give up good talent for some minor spat between a coach and a player.
Also, I think Beverly will start hitting these open looks. If not, then maybe the Rockets should look into starting Prigioni or Terry keeping in mind that starting is not analogous with getting the majority of minutes and/or finishing games.
There is no question in my mind that Morey has pivoted from a two superstar duo of Harden+Howard to a solo Harden lead team (still looking for a another start to pair with). Howard can play a role on that team, but not as a two headed superstar monster. If you look at the Clippers, they have Chris Paul, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. To equate it to the Rockets, the Rockets have their Chris Paul in Harden and DeAndre in Howard. The Rockets are looking for their Griffin equivalent. (Love?). Howard was once that, but now his role is bumped down a bit.
Agreed. If Morey truly wanted Canaan playing over Beverley, and McHale did not have a good reason, Beverley would not be here. Ask Adelman about that situation...
Batman, thanks for confirming what we appeared to be true, that Canaan was in the doghouse. It was obvious he wasn't going to get playing time so Morey just decided to ship him out to maximize that roster spot from an asset point of view. I mean seriously, it says A LOT that a team that is hurting at the PG spot, that is hurting with 3pt shooting at the PG spot, would trade a PG that shoots the 3pter well.
Lowry was dealt for the pick that turned into the package Harden and from reports, it wasn't a minor spat between Lowry and McHale.
The roster right now is primed for a big overhaul: Beverley - 2015 RFA Brewer - 2015 UFA Dorsey - 2016 UFA Howard - 2016 PO TJones - 2016 RFA McDaniels - 2015 RFA DMo - 2016 RFA Papanikolaou - 2015 NG Prigioni - 2015 NG Smith - 2015 UFA Terry - 2015 UFA That's 2/3rds of our current rotation and full roster that will hit free agency within the next year and a half. Even Ariza is probably on the block. He was brought in with the idea that we were very close to contention, but circumstances have changed. Just for fun, here are my own predictions about this summer... 1) Terry will sign a 1 year deal at the vet minimum 2) Smith will be offered a 1 year deal for $2.5 million, with perhaps some kind of promise to make it up to him. He will not get our MLE. Most likely he walks. 3) Brewer will be resigned to a 3 year contract. 4) One or both of DMo/TJones will be traded. I believe we are finally at a decision point for them. 5) Morey will make a huge run at Kevin Love and be successful. It makes too much sense. Love has leverage, our system fits him nicely, and we have by far the most connections to him of any other team (Brewer, McHale, Harden). Ariza will be traded to Cleveland as part of this. 6) KJ McDaniels will be resigned using a portion of the MLE. 7) Sergio Llull will be brought over on a 3 year $12 million deal using most of the MLE 8) McDaniels will be resigned using the remaining portion of the MLE 9) Beverley will only be resigned if it's for less than $4 million per year. 10) Somewhat Rockets related.....Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler will both sign their qualifying offers, especially Butler. This gives the Rockets 3 chances at replacing (and upgrading) Ariza in 2016 (Durant, Leonard, and Butler). Llull / (Johnson or Beverley) Harden / Terry Brewer / McDaniels Love / TJones Howard / Capella
Batman, Based on your insight into the FO, are Morey and McHale content going into the playoffs with Beverly and Terry as the primary ball handlers when Harden is on the bench (or otherwise disengaged)? That is to say, do they not see a huge problem with forcing those guys to do things they just aren't very adept at doing, i.e. running the offense?
Morey not being able to upgrade the point- or even get any meaningful help- is the biggest disappointment of the season.
I've thought a lot about this situation. Here's why I believe it's very possible. 1) Kevin Love's player option. He has to make a decision on this before the end of June. If he really wants out of Cleveland (as national journalists are claiming/implying), then his player option gives him a ton of leverage. He can tell Cleveland that the only way he waives his player option is if they trade him.....otherwise he walks. Given the massive amount of room New York and LA have, this is a completely legitimate threat. 2) Love is essentially a role player on Cleveland, which leads me to my next point... 3) What Cleveland needs most is wing defenders.....not a 4 that can shoot. Other than Lebron, they don't have anyone that can help with perimeter D. 4) Lebron recruited Ariza to Cleveland before he ultimately signed with Miami. This is well documented. So Houston has: 1) a high end small forward that can take the defensive pressure off Lebron (Ariza) 2) a somewhat legit replacement for Love in DMo, who has proven he can shoot and is more willing to play off ball than Love 3) other interesting picks/players It seems to me there is a good chance Cleveland will be forced to move Love, and Houston is in position to satisfy their needs. Other teams may have more picks and young talent, but does Love want to resign with them and how do picks/prospects help Cleveland?
If his posts are about having certain specific insight, wouldn't that context be relevant information?
