We've got a lot of contracts expiring this year, so our only trade assets are our role players and our picks. The consensus is pretty much that we should keep this year's lotto pick. If we want a slight talent upgrade, should we shop our 1st round pick from next year? If we do that, it could (and should) be completely lotto protected. Stro+a 1st rounder should be able to get us a true starting-calibur player. If, god forbid, we suck enough to end up in the lottery again we still get our pick while upgrading our talent level. If we make it to the playoffs we're probably just giving up an 18th pick at the highest. That's how Minnesota got to keep this year's 1st round pick after giving it away in that awful Cassell/Jaric trade. Now the twolves got fleeced in that deal, but surely we can do better. We should do this now because if Tmac's health improves that pick loses it's value to other teams. People look at us currently and think lotto. If it's reported that Tmac's getting better during the summer it'll be really hard to upgrade anything. This is pretty much the team we're going to war with next year unless we give up something.
Uh, no. The Rockets need a scorer. Foye from Villanove would be a perfect fit if available. Then Roy, Brewer, or Carney. They need somebody that can shoot/score AND defend. One of the SG/SFs is going to be available when you pick. Worse case scenario you pick the next Derek Anderson type and he is useful in the rotation, best case you get somebody capable of getting 12-17 ppg and makes teams pay for doubling Yao and T Mac. Then use you MLE on a backup C and/or SF. PG Alston, Head SG Foye, Wesley (reasonably priced) SF T Mac, Harpring(with all or part of MLE) PF Swift, Howard C Yao, some young C Then bring back Chuck Hayes and add in some vets. If T Mac is healthy, the Rockets are capable of being in the NBA finals next year. You need some young guys that will still be improving when Yao and T Mac level off into their primes. If T Mac is healthy, you got about a 7 year window to win a title with Yao. I am loving the agressive Yao.
Hi MemphisX, Rockets must be your 2nd favourite team. Won't mind to share the glory with you when we win the championship next season.
I really think it depends. If we can somehow manage an amazing trade in which we trade our pick and maybe an unused player on our bench for a vet that will honestly contribute to our team then why not?
am i the only one utterly confused by every single response in this thread? i must be insane. anyway, on the thread topic.. maybe you can do "top 3 protected"...but if you do "lottery protected" you won't get nearly as much value out of it. I'd be willing to assume a decent season next year and trade the pick. Though I don't think you'd get a great player..but you could find something probably
