We're doomed for another decade of mediocrity if we trade for Josh Smith, Pau, Millsap etc Harden is no LeBron, Bryant or Durant so we need another legit all star to complement him. Not guys who put up empty stats, a genuine superstar No idea why people are so eager to settle for dross, think long term. I say we stand firm and wait till the summer to make a move.
3rd year Houston can ship out lin for a legit superstar if he hasn't improved. That 15m or 8.8m whatever it is, expiring contract will be gold. I would like to keep ppat. I think he's pretty good. Soft, but when he plays aggressive/strong can be reliable.
same thing will happen if we dont do nothin getting one of those pieces would just be a part of a bigger puzzle
Josh Smith isn't going to be the X Factor that get us past OKC, Spurs, Clippers or hell, even the Lakers and Warriors though. There's a reason Hawks fans are eager to send him packing.
I think the coaches made some changes recently that will help our consistency going forward. The head coach is also inexperienced and inconsistent. Recent Changes that I see: 1) A PG is the primary playmaker. Team turnovers have gone down which is huge. Chemistry has improved because more players are getting touches. Harden's efficiency has improved. 2) Team defense was remarkably improved against Utah. That plus Asik's rebounding were the keys to running again. 3) Seems like a lot more mid-range jumpers are being taken. People like Lin, Chandler, PPat and Harden who have a lower pct. are not taking as many 3's. Delfino, Morris and TD are taking the majority of 3's.
While a lineup of Asik, Smith, Parsons, Harden, and Lin might get deep into the playoffs, I don't think we contend with OKC or Miami. It would vult us into the top 5 NBA teams conversation though. Still, holding out for a true allstar is the way to go.
Agreed. If we can get a "true allstar" we should do it. However anything less than that may just ruin our chemistry and keep us from getting into the playoffs this year.
Who is this "true allstar" that is realistically attainable (e.g., which team in playoff position would even consider moving that player)? Luol Deng? or someone snubbed from this years All-Star lineup like Andre Iguodala?
What the Rockets lacking is a solid PF, which those two teams have and they happen to be the two best in the business. Rockets might actually have a better chance with Miami as they don't have a solid shot blocker like OKC does with Ibaka.
I can somehow see us getting Dwight Howard & Chris Paul by trade deadline, or in Free Agency. If Howard was available, you trade anyone not named Harden. If Morey could in someway pull off a massive trade for, or sign a top tier Superstar that is the aim. Aim high, shoot for the stars. If we can't get Dwight or Paul by deadline, ( or even Love ) I'd be happy for a cheap swap of players for Josh Smith...as long as they take my main man Royce White in the deal. I would like to see the guy succeed here, but he may need a new start somewhere else. Josh Smith would be a perfect fit in our high octane offence, and his transition defence, ability to block shots and rebound would be an upgrade over what we have right now. Imagine having players that could catch alley-oops & passes on the pick'n'roll... Lin & Harden Parsons & J.Smith Asik We could trade Aldrich, 2Pat & Royce to Atl for Josh Smith, trade Mook to the Suns for a 1st & J.Oneal who we'd then pass onto Atl. Atlanta gets a young power forward stud in 2Pat, 2 back up centers & a top 5 talent Rookie combo forward, humanitarian & ball handling big man. Suns get to market the twins while they suck it up & start to rebuild. We get Josh Smith & a pick. If J-Smoove doesn't work out, or isn't worth the max, don't sign him. You've really lost nothing except two 'underachieving power forwards' that we like to lynch after every loss, a guy who might become a very good player in Royce (if he ever plays) & Cole Aldrich. Edit: If trade machine says it works...I would like to keep Delfino, but what can you do? (Matt Barnes, lol)
best i can tell, the real problem is that most of the players being shopped right now are on contracts that burden their teams, and with the lux tax kicking in over the next couple of years, you'd have to be crazy to pull the trigger. If we were close to contention and a Paul Pierce or a Rudy Gay or a Bargnani was the difference in getting over the hump, that would be one thing, but we are still rebuilding. As i don't think you can ever have too many skilled 7 footers, i do think that if we were able to trade for Gortat, and then sign him to an Asik-like contract ($8.5 mil per) in the offseason, that might be a smart move. I also thought Calderon would have been a good fit, in similar circumstances. But i just don't have a lot of confidence that a good deal is going to emerge prior to the deadline. Hopefully we can find a way to move one of our PFs to open up some badly needed court-time for our young guys to develop. Converting some of our depth to draft picks seems like a smart move if we are still trying to accumulate assets in the hope of making a big deal to get that 2nd franchise piece. Depending on what ATL wants for Josh Smith, it might be fun to get him for a playoff run. Although i don't think he's the 2nd franchise piece we've been looking for, i do think he would thrive in our offense, and i could see us actually getting past the 1st round with him on the roster. All of this assumes the asking price is low for a guy in the last year of his contract.
Agree. Been thinking about who they would want for him. I'm not sure what's realistic, maybe Delfino and Aldrich for Hamilton and Butler? Aldrich is an expiring and helps give Noah more breathing room (he's playing over 40 minutes lately). Delfino helps them more now than us as they could be really good when Rose comes back. We help them financially by taking back Hamilton (who can backup Harden and get him some rest). Butler steps in to back up Parsons and possibly Harden.
Since75 I believe Bargnani would fit perfectly for what the Rockets are lacking at the 4 currently. He makes 10mil next year and the year after but atleast it's not a max contract. He has the size, outside touch and a change of scenery may be the change he needs to become more of the All Star type player he was drafted to be. Thoughts?
Bargnani is a fit with that stretch 4...but this team really needs a defensive minded player..i'm intrigued with Tony Allen but he's too small to play with Harden..
j smith has playoff experience, great defender, several years of experience in the league and can space out the 4 position. He would make this team difficult to beat.
He doesn't rebound and he doesn't play defense. i'm not paying $22 mil over the next two years for a 7 footer who doesn't rebound or play defense. He also shoots 39% from the field, which for a 7 foot power forward, is atrocious. There's a reason why Colangelo can't move him.
