Value? Damn you, you're using my own words against me. Over the long haul, I very much agree with the concept. However, like DM says, you need very special pieces to get over the top, and we're already pretty good at role players, trading chips, no bad contracts, etc. So, if at all possible, I want to see the Rockets go for two monsters this year, one in the draft, and one as an FA. If they can't pull it off, they can't, but I really don't want to see them take any more Donte Greens or Jermaine Taylors. Frankly, I want to see more than Carl Landry or Budinger out of the draft, though I'm very pleased with Budinger's play, given where we picked him. Another Jordan Hill or Sam Cassell would be nice, but I'd really like to see somebody that will do serious damage in next season's playoffs, and get significantly better after that.
Good luck with that. The odds of finding a star after the first 5 or 6 picks is very slim, and Morey realizes this. I'm sure that, by late June, the Rockets organization will have a list of players they'd like, either via a trade to move up or those who they hope will still be on the board at #14. If none of those guys is available to them, then picking at #14 is not the best option for the organization. Hell, I'd rather trade the pick for a role player who can help than take a player who the organization is not confident can be anything more than an eventual role player himself. It's all about VALUE, man! But I think we agree on that. Try like hell to move up and get a star. Hope like hell that a star falls in their lap. Aside from that, do what's best for the organization. If that means trading down or out of the first round altogether, then so be it. In Morey We Trust.
I think we have the chips to move up to 5-6, maybe better. I think Jordan Hill is worth a #6 pick by himself... not saying he's what we should give up to move up; we have some draft picks and other things to throw in. Like I've said before, I'd give up Brooks and Martin to move up to take John Wall.
Bosh for Scola + Battier + Andersen + NY's 2012 pick. Add one of our picks if that isn't sweet enough. Sign a back C (Channing Frye, Brad Miller, etc). C - Yao, Frye PF - Bosh, Jeffries, Hill SF - Ariza, Budinger SG - Martin, Taylor PG - Brooks, Lowry Add our pick plus some filler and maybe pick Hayes back up and I think we add 10-15 more wins.
Instead of Frye, sign Camby and we are probably going to have to add Jeffries. Brooks/Lowry Martin/Taylor Ariza/Budinger Bosh/Hill Yao/Camby
I'd take Camby but if you add Jeffries (which I don't think would be a deal breaker for them) then you would only be signing Scola for 3-4 million (and I think Scola will get somewhere in the 6-10 million range) to make the salaries match.
I like this. I still don't know how we can get Frye. I would think the Suns would do anything in their power to try to keep the guy. He's been a great asset for them and may prove to be in the playoffs. I like the rest though.
i'm watching this boston miami game and i would think the world of morey if he could land dwade out of miami. he is insane.
For that reason, the pick might end up being more valuable as something to dangle in front of another GM to try to pry a big-name free agent in a sign and trade (Bosh) or an established 2nd-tier big. Obviously, we'd have to include pieces to make the salaries match, but the lure of a pick in the first half of round 1 might be enough to get someone to act, especially in a draft that's pretty deep.
They need: Battier: Veteran leadership, a guy who will show the players how to stay as active as possible on both ends of the court. Brooks: Good PG who would fit right it. Taylor: Nice prospect. If Budinger is the deal breaker than I say it's still worth it. Andersen: Center who can shoot from outside. They need to change their identity a little bit. Slow down a little, work the ball around for open shots (get back on D quicker), etc. Overall, they need NBA players and this trade gives them that. No disrespect to the D leaguers.
Oh yeah, and the Warriors trade out of Maggete's contract so they save money NOW. Battier is a $7.3 million expiring who is not a bad guy to have around the locker room even if its just for one season. The Rockets save money later when Brooks needs to be re-signed. Curry / Lowry Martin / Maggette / Taylor Maggette / Ariza Scola / Hill / Jeffries Yao / Miller / Hayes If Bud is included in the trade, then the Rockets should pursue Mike Miller, if not Maggette can split minutes with Taylor at the backup SG.
I still want to add Josh Smith to this team. He can play some 4, but can start at the 3 and really help with our weaknesses there. He is a great defender, shot blocker, rebounder and will score in the paint. Brooks/Martin/Smith/Scola/Yao is a great mix IMO. Ariza+Jeffries+Hill+2012 pick. We save our lotto pick this year and grab Ekpe Udoh/Montiejunas/Whiteside (more notably any PF that drops, which there are so many, I think one will) I want Monroe but he will be out of range, so lets say Udoh. Yao/Camby (MLE)/Hayes Scola/Udoh/Smith Smith/Battier Martin/Budinger Brooks/Martin
After 2-3 years of learning, John Wall will be a perennial All-star. AB and Martin will not average one all-star game per year, between them.
The timing doesn't work to use the PICK for a sign-and-trade. The draft happens a good week BEFORE teams can even begin talking to free agents. Morey would have to make the pick himself and then HOPE that the other team wants that player.
That's the point. We take a crap contract in Maggette whom I do not like at all, give up incredibly valuable assets and players in Battier, Budinger, Brooks, and get only Stephen Curry. Curry could be good, but I'm not giving up all that stuff unless I'm certain I'm getting an absolutely spectacular PG and I'm not convinced Curry is even that great - he could be interesting, but he is simply not entering the Deron/Paul/Nash tier any time soon.
They could discuss it though, or have a deal on the hopper in case it works out. Gonna be a fun offseason....I don't think it will be all that active for the Rockets...but you never know. DD
