[Chron] Morey hope to atleast get a starting center by trade deadline

Ramathorn006 · Feb 10, 2011

Interesting article. Lock if posted

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7420830.html

The retooling of the Rockets is on hold, with trade conversations around the NBA in limbo while waiting for the major domino in Denver to fall. But according to several individuals familiar with the Rockets' involvement in talks, the Rockets expect either big changes to the roster or a small change involving the addition of a big man.

"They will be extremely active," one person involved in talks said. "Daryl (Morey, the Rockets' general manager) is talking to a lot of teams. He feels a lot of pressure to make some changes."

With the NBA trade deadline two weeks away, Morey has stepped up his pursuit of a center, several individuals said. Everything from the Rockets' expiring contracts, including the remaining months of Yao Ming's deal largely paid by insurance, to the Rockets' younger talent have been a part of talks.

Though Morey's primary goal is to land a centerpiece star, he would be happy to come away from the Feb. 24 trade deadline with a starting center.

According to several individuals with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking, the goals of the Rockets' determined pursuit of Carmelo Anthony are two-fold.

Though the primary objective is to beat the long odds to land Anthony, Morey also has continued dialogue with Nuggets executive vice president Masai Ujuri in hopes to have a head start toward a deal for Nene, the Nuggets' center who like Anthony can opt out of his contract after the season.

Morey has been willing to trade for Anthony, even without Anthony signing a contract extension, in hopes Anthony would relent to take an extension offer before the new collective bargaining agreement. And further, that a Rockets postseason run would influence Anthony to stay or that if he insisted on moving in free agency, the Rockets could benefit from a sign-and-trade deal.

Any deal with the Nuggets would center around second-year forward Jordan Hill, who has been on the edge of the Rockets rotation, a draft pick, and the potential cost-savings with a combination of expiring contracts of Yao, Shane Battier and Jared Jeffries.
First things first

Morey has not made progress in his season-long pursuit of Anthony, with the Nuggets determined to build a deal around top young prospects. According to a person informed about the Nuggets' thinking, they have become increasingly hesitant to deal him to a Western Conference team in case he does choose to sign an extension, and they are still seriously weighing keeping Anthony through the deadline.

The Nuggets, however, have seemed more receptive to the Rockets' offers for Nene than they had been for Anthony. Those talks also have ground to a halt, one person familiar with Denver's efforts said, but that if they do deal Anthony, they would likely look to also move Nene.

If the Nuggets keep Anthony, they will look to keep Nene, too. If Anthony is moved, however, they are expected to see what their other players with potential to leave could bring.

Though several veteran centers might be available at the deadline — Morey could seek a deal for Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman or Samuel Dalembert — the Rockets are more likely to pursue a younger though less-proven talent.
Brooks likely staying put

There have been talks with Chicago about center Omer Asik, according to a person with knowledge of those conversations. The Bulls have been looking for a shooting guard and have inquired about Courtney Lee. Morey has been hesitant to part with Lee.

The Rockets also showed interest in Utah's Krylo Fesenko in the offseason, but the Jazz rarely make moves during the season.

The Rockets have not seemed inclined to move Aaron Brooks, despite his expiring contract and his one-game suspension this week for conduct detrimental to the team. Coach Rick Adelman said the Rockets are not interested in trading Brooks. New York, Sacramento, Minnesota, Portland and Memphis have shown interest in Brooks, but that did not lead to serious talks.

The Knicks have been willing to move Anthony Randolph and Memphis has gauged interest in Hasheem Thabeet, but the Rockets have sought more immediate help. Memphis' Marc Gasol will be a restricted free agent, but the Grizzlies have so far said they will keep him through the deadline.

For now, however, the Rockets must wait for much of the remaining two weeks to make trades.

"I don't pay any attention to it," Adelman said. "I had my fill of it in the summer. It's been the whole year here. It's unfortunate. It's a constant story. We're trying to win with the guys we have right now."
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Rocket Guy · Feb 10, 2011

i was less than one minute late.....haaah! Looks like somone had a sit down with morey

Rocketboi · Feb 10, 2011

They should at least start off by saying....

No offense to chuck Hayes, cause he has been more than decent, but....morey hopes to acquire starting center.

Mooch · Feb 10, 2011

please dont trade lee

AggieRocketsFan · Feb 10, 2011

Nene
Kaman
Asik
Dalembert
Fesenko
Camby
Thabeet
Randolph

Who will finally fill the gap?

worzel gummidge · Feb 10, 2011

The Rockets have not seemed inclined to move Aaron Brooks, despite his expiring contract and his one-game suspension this week for conduct detrimental to the team. Coach Rick Adelman said the Rockets are not interested in trading Brooks. New York, Sacramento, Minnesota, Portland and Memphis have shown interest in Brooks, but that did not lead to serious talks.
Click to expand...

Brooks for Ibaka, starting C found.

mickey_angelo · Feb 10, 2011

worzel gummidge said:

Brooks for Ibaka, starting C found.
Click to expand...

But why would the Thunder do it? Their biggest need is another big, not a backup pg.

mikol13 · Feb 10, 2011

This is the first time I've seen JF use actual scenarios with names of players and teams. This is actually a pretty informative piece. Intersting stuff.

Hopefully the Melo Domino falls so other transactions can take place. I'm really hoping the Rockets are able to make significant changes. This team needs to get better quickly, if not, blow it up.

dragonwill · Feb 10, 2011

The Rockets are not interested in trading Brooks. >_<

thejav · Feb 10, 2011

Atleast we know that morey is trying to take this team in the right direction by going after what we need instead of what we want...

JCDenton · Feb 10, 2011

Strange, I thought we paid $6 mil/yr to sign a starting center.

Clips/Roxfan · Feb 10, 2011

You left out this part where Jonathan Feigen praises Hill, Chase, and even Jeffries while calling Chris Kaman an expensive burden....

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Possible Rockets who could be used in a trade
Aaron Brooks

Fourth season with Rockets

Most Improved last season; still young and affordable.

Chase Budinger

Second season with Rockets

Has affordable contract to go with versatile offensive game.

Jordan Hill

Second season with Rockets

Ex-lottery pick on rookie pact has attractive upside.

Yao Ming

Ninth season with Rockets

Expiring pact, insurance coverage offer cost savings.

Courtney Lee

First season with Rockets

Solid guard has already started for an NBA Finals team.

Jared Jeffries

Second season with Rockets

Model pro with expiring deal can defend several spots.

Possible players the Rockets could pursue
Carmelo Anthony

Eighth season with Nuggets

The top target if he won’t sign extension with Denver.

Samuel Dalembert

Second season with Kings

Has expensive, expiring contract, but is a strong defensive center.

Marcus Camby

Second season with Blazers

Expensive, but Houston resident would be ideal fit.

Chris Kaman

Seventh season with Clippers

An expensive burden on team building around youth.

Omer Asik

Second season with Bulls

Young talent with room to grow on contender’s bench.

DeAndre Jordan

Third season with Clippers

Former Aggie, but he would be tough to get out of L.A.

worzel gummidge · Feb 10, 2011

AggieRocketsFan said:

Nene
Kaman
Asik
Dalembert
Fesenko
Camby
Thabeet
Randolph

Who will finally fill the gap?
Click to expand...

or trade lee to the magic for the rights to fran vazquez

AggieRocketsFan · Feb 10, 2011

I also think that one guy on the Knicks that Blake Griffin posterized could be an option.

ThaShark316_28 · Feb 10, 2011

JCDenton said:

Strange, I thought we paid $6 mil/yr to sign a starting center.
Click to expand...

4.4 mil in 2 seasons with a 3rd yr option...stop reaching you homo

FullMetal Sage · Feb 10, 2011

I'm getting tried of these trade articles. Just make a damn trade already!

AggieRocketsFan · Feb 10, 2011

ThaShark316_28 said:

4.4 mil in 2 seasons with a 3rd yr option...stop reaching you homo
Click to expand...

Whoa man, maybe he just misinterpreted one of his graphs. We all know how extensive and hard to comprehend they can be sometimes.

JCDenton · Feb 10, 2011

ThaShark316_28 said:

4.4 mil in 2 seasons with a 3rd yr option...stop reaching you homo
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My bad, his contract is for only 3 yrs/$15mm. A bargain for 7ppg 3.7 rpg. Morey's genius strikes again.

apollo33 · Feb 10, 2011

AggieRocketsFan said:

Whoa man, maybe he just misinterpreted one of his graphs. We all know how extensive and hard to comprehend they can be sometimes.
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How dare you question the clutchfans statistical genius

ryano2009 · Feb 10, 2011

worzel gummidge said:

Brooks for Ibaka, starting C found.
Click to expand...

why would you think the thunder would do it..?

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[Chron] Morey hope to atleast get a starting center by trade deadline

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[Chron] Morey hope to atleast get a starting center by trade deadline

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