Before the season started (and I realize it is still young), one of the perceptions of this team was that we had overpaid injury-prone non-stars and young guys that hadn't quite lived up to the hype (and really there wasn't much hype to begin with). We all correctly assumed that we couldn't compete with other teams on the trade market, and were hopeful for just a step in the right direction. Nice surprise that we were wrong. The Rockets look like a completely different team from last year, but I don't think Morey is content to charge ahead with a team full of plus role players + Harden. We are still on the hunt, and our store of assets hasn't looked better since the Harden trade. Consider... Young Talent 1) Capela - Has emerged as one of the top young bigs in the league. He's not a Towns or Embiid, but he's easily in the same category as Okafor (perhaps even higher with his ability to protect the rim). 2) Dekker - Looks like a guy that should have been drafted in the top 10. Shooting 50% from the floor and 41% from 3 in basically his rookie year. Wing is a prime position in the market today, and we have one of the best prospects. 3) Montrezl - Who would've guessed we'd be talking about him at this point? He's getting crunch time minutes and contributing on both ends of the court. He's shooting 59% from the field and getting a solid 1.8 blocks per 36. If he develops a jumper, watch out. 4) McDaniels - It's disappointing he's not getting time, but I still think he has net positive trade value. Vets on Below Market Deals 1) Ariza - As Morey said, one of the ultimate glue guys in the league. Getting paid less than $8 million for the next two years at one of the most coveted positions. 2) Beverley - Every team wants a guy like this, but few actually have one. The perfect sidekick to a lead guard. Hitting 39% from 3, covers the top guard and will make ~$6 million per year for the next 3 years, with the last year non-guaranteed. 3) Gordon - He always comes with the proviso "if healthy", but he looks like a steal at $13 million for the next 4 years. Anchors the bench unit, hitting 40% from 3 and putting up 17 points per game. Also not the horrible defender some made him out to be. 4) DMo - Obviously this is TBD, but if he stays healthy, that is a great contract for the Rockets. If he can return to 2014-2015 DMo, he will provide us with a ton of flexibility, both on the court and off it. 5) Anderson - I'm definitely getting smirks now. It would depend on the team, but he's worth a lot more than people around here think he is. He is more responsible for Harden's supersayian year than anyone. Unsigned Drafted Players 1) Llull - Probably has good value around the league. He is the most proven player in the world that is not playing in the NBA. 2) Gentile - Depends on the team. Sacramento supposedly has interest in him. Draft Picks 1) The rockets own all of their future 1st round picks. While none will likely be under #20, at least we aren't Dallas or the Nets. 2) While not worth a ton, we do own a couple of decent 2nd round picks from Denver and Portland in 2017. The point of this post was to change the narrative that we don't have the trade assets to compete with the rest of the league for a star. Sure we aren't the 76ers, but I don't think they are looking to make that kind of trade anyway. We are right underneath that tier, and just like before the Harden trade, we have a convenience store stocked with variety. Happy hunting, Morey.
Another bright spot on the DMo signing is that, absent a Ryan Anderson salary dump, we are out of the market to chase a star (and strike out) next summer. Realistically, our best shot at landing that second star already was either through development or trade.
Names and terms like 'Morey' & 'Assets' is what ultimately deterred folks like Horford and Bogut from joining this team over the summer.
Well that would be pretty ridiculous in Bogut's case, as he was traded from a team to open room for Durant and to a team known for breaking up its championship core immediately after winning it. I think most of these guys know it's a business.
Who is the one player that could net us the coveted "Lowry pick" type asset? Is it ego? Ariza? Capela? This is where we fall short of Boston lakers and phoenix every time. They have that potential high end pick. In comparisons. Boston has Avery, crowder, amir as solid vets on value contracts, amirs being expiring. They have young high draft pick players in smart, brown. And they also have the Brooklyn pick and their own future picks. LA has loads of young talent in randle, Russell and Ingram as well as clarkson. Plus vets just not that great of quality ot on that great of contract. But they also have all their future 1st rd picks. Phoenix has lots of young wings as well as vets on value like Tucker and chandler. They also have their own future picks that are likely high lottery. Outside of the top 3 I think Houston matches up will with just about anyone because I don't see Philly going all out for a star. It would all come down to whichever teams preference of players as to what we could get. But If any top player say, Butler, George, cousins, klay etc... Where to come free we wouldn't be able to complete. But say a player like gallo where made available, or Millsap. I think we have that fighting shot
The issue with Gordon and Ryno is that they don't have small contracts and will be over 30 when the contracts end. Dekker, Capela, Harrell I think are the more valuable "tradeable" assets (not necessarily the better players)
I'm pretty sure Bogut turned us down because he's redneck Australian trash, and that just meshes much better with Dallas culture.
Yes, agree exactly. The Rockets are in as good a position as they've been asset wise in a bit, but that still isn't the same as Boston, LA, Phoenix. And I would put the Sixers above the Rockets, too. And the Twolves... whou could move LaVine, their 2017 draft pick, plus and get solid return. Agree on Rockets assets maybe netting a second tier or third tier player, or a guy like Millsap, who won't return much because of his FA status. I like Millsap but I'm not sold on him if you have to move decent assets for him AND THEN have to pay him a lot in FA, as a 31 yo PF. Still hopefully DM can find a way to create max cap space this summer and chase Gordon Hayward.
LMAO.... I'm over it now. But after watching the Olympics, I'm pretty sure Bogut knows how to play by the rules and lead his team pretty well.
The Lakers don't have their pick unless it's in the top 3, which looks unlikely. They owe it to the 76ers from the Steve Nash trade. Because of that they can't trade their 2018 pick either. All of their recent picks look productive though. I agree, Boston appears to be in the best position to trade for a star due to the unprotected Nets pick.
True about Sixer's and Minnesota, who i forgot about. I could see minny making that type of trade but not the Sixer's Great point about the Lakers, I forgot about that top 3 designation. I would love to acquire gallo and somehow free up room and acquire Hayward this off season also. (Pipedream and would be extremely difficult) Still none the less, we are back in a decent position after being completely barren for a year or two of assets
My opinion....I think trading Ariza in the summer makes sense. He has one more year on his deal, and plays a coveted role/position. Could probably get a protected 1st for him. This would allow Dekker to step into the starters role, which could make sense at that time. L
The Rockets have less assets than some teams (Sixers, Celtics, Lakers, Suns, Nuggets, Wolves), but aside from Boston those teams are mediocre as today, that's why we may still have an edge over most of them if we enter talks for expiring players. I can see Millsap, Blake (or Boogie next summer) having interest in coming here, not soo much in going to Philly, LA, Phoenix, Denver or Minnie.
Selfish bump. I think it's just a matter of "when" with DMo now. If he can return to some form of his 2014-2015 self.....wow, what a contract. Has the potential to completely flip a trade war in our favor.
