I have a feeling this "searching" will continue on and on. All we hear is he is trying. Every reporter has posted a story on how Rockets are really "active" in trade talks but nothing concrete yet. Bu then again reporters havent been able to break stories on any of the trades Morey made. Not a single trade that Morey has pulled off was reported earlier by the Media - they just come out of no where. I just hope he can do it again.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4n26gzv Knicks Get: Chuck Hayes Shane Battier Aaron Brooks Cavs Get: Yao Ming Ronny Turiaf Kelenna Azubuike Roger Mason (All Expiring) The Rockets future first round draft pick (2013 top 5 protected or 2014) The Rockets 2011 2nd round draft pick The Knicks 2011 2nd round draft pick The Rockets Get: Antawn Jamison Anderson Verejao Mo Williams Tony Douglas Jamison and Mo Williams conveniently expire after next season when the likes of Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin Love, and Derek Rose could become available along with wild cards like Steve Nash and Andrew Bynum.
I don't think much is going to happen. I really don't think Battier has a future on this team, and he is a desirable piece on a contender, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him go, but I don't see much else happening (even though I personally would like to jettison Brooks and Budinger).
So Chuck Hayes goes from starting center on the Rockets to starting center on the Knicks? I don't think New York makes this trade, although I am not opposed to it as a Rockets fan.
Oh, The Knicks definitely make this trade. Why in the hell wouldn't they? A) Chuck Hayes is an upgrade over Turiaf in every way except height. They need somebody to play bodyguard to Stoudemire who is not going to guard the elite PF's in the playoffs. Chuck can start the fast break which is a huge bonus for D'Antoni's system. Chuck gets the rebound, he already has Carmelo and Billups leaking out on the break. B) They need a backup combo guard for Billups. If he gets hurt, they are screwed. Brooks is perfect for this system. He can chuck 3's all game even on the fast break. Plus, D'Antoni can play Billups and Brooks together for stretches if he wants to give up defense for offense. C) Battier does for Carmelo what Chuck Hayes does for Stoudemire. He is brought in to slow down Kobe Bryant and company so Carmelo can stay out of foul trouble.
Rockets players wait by the phone, certain trade deadline will bring news [rquoter] Shane Battier went through his usual postgame routine, showering, dressing from the waist up and then dousing his feet and ankles in a tub of ice water. That is when he usually looks up to see if there are any questions, knowing that there almost always are. Not Tuesday. First he grabbed his cell phone to check for messages. "Let me make sure I'm still on the Rockets," Battier said. Then after his usual burst of a chuckle, he said, "Little trade deadline humor." To say that the Rockets are keenly aware of the deadline on Thursday would be an understatement. Battier, especially, seems to believe he will be gone. Jared Jeffries almost certainly will be dealt or waived. Everyone else is certain something will happen, though unable to guess what. "Something is going to happen," guard Aaron Brooks said. "Something will happen. We have to just go out and play." ESPN reported that the Celtics had interest in Battier, but quickly shot that down, pointing out that the Celtics would not be willing to move the players the Rockets would want. Actually, I think the Rockets would be tempted to make the deal if the Celtics would include center Semih Erden, though we'll probably never know since Boston apparently wants to keep and develop him. Battier appears to be the most popular target, but generally little has changed in the Rockets pursuits. They want a center and covet Nene, Marcin Gortat and to a degree Anderson Varejao. They like Omer Asik. They will be very open to a long-term move, rather than to simply fill the current hole. Sound familiar? None of that differs from the situation throughout the month. Battier would fit well with the contenders. Chicago still wants a shooting guard and would like it to be Courtney Lee, who has been playing especially well lately. The Rockets had spoken with the Nuggets about the erstwhile Knicks and might be able to make a run at Timofey Mozgov if the Nuggets lock up Nene. For the Rockets to make larger moves might depend on finding a team determined to cut costs. Charlotte seemed like a good bet, but the Bobcats' turnaround under Paul Silas could up the price on Gerald Wallace. Memphis would certainly move Hasheem Thabeet, but would probably have to offer more to make that move worthwhile. There still might be a chance that the veteran centers, Marcus Camby or Samuel Dalembert, would be moved, but they will be costly. It looks, however, that the Rockets' trade maneuvers will go down to the wire. So far Battier's phone is not the only one left silent. [/rquoter]
