I believe cap room will be king tonight... but Daryl Morey loves cheap labor and the draft is the way to get it. And as Bima points out, the Rockets don't save all that much by unloading the first rounder. Still, I would expect trading out for future picks or drafting an International player they can stash to be options high on their list. I bet the second rounder is a stronger play-now guy, and like they did with Parsons in 2011, they can wait until the last minute to sign them. High trade-up candidate I like if he fell to #8: Marcus Smart. I could see Dario Saric getting a lot of consideration, though that would take a trade-up also I assume. I like Clint Capela (stash), Adreian Payne, KJ McDaniels and Shabazz Napier. Jarnell Stokes and Jordan Adams intrigue me some as does Damien Inglis. Also like Patric Young as a second round possibility.
Embiid tweeted I am a Laker then deleted it: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Embiid tweeted this and deleted it immediately.. <a href="http://t.co/8tyMNtFbQQ">pic.twitter.com/8tyMNtFbQQ</a></p>— Kyrie Jordan (@BucketsNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BucketsNBA/statuses/482028481639743488">June 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Miami Heat are said to be really high on Napier. And LeBron loves him. Houston picks ONE SPOT AHEAD of Miami. I would LOL if Houston picked Napier just to troll Miami. #TakeThatRiles ;-)
And right now we have the pick right before Miami. I'm not sure if Napier is the best for our team, and I really don't think he will be there by #25, but it would be pretty hilarious if Miami is targeting Napier as a piece to entice LBJ to resign with them and then we take Napier the pick right before them.
I'm big on Marcus Smart too. Last night I was watching the NBATV mock draft and they had him drop to #8.....
I trust whatever Morey does in the draft, but I'm guessing he's either picking a player that another team wants in a trade, or making a deal to trade the pick somehow before hand.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Houston (#25) & Phoenix (#27) have both made their picks available in exchange for future firsts, sources say. Likely go int'l otherwise.</p>— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/statuses/482225034866335745">June 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>One name to watch for Rockets at either #25 or #42 — Russian big man Artem Klimenko. They’ve been doing a deep dive researching him</p>— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfordinsider/statuses/482225924809949184">June 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>There are several picks in the late 20s "to be had," one exec says. With nine teams lacking first-round pick, strong market for them, too.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/482228516545503232">June 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think that would be quite a reach at #25. I'm hoping Clint Capela falls to us there. He seems like a Morey-type player.
Going to be interested to see if D-Mo gets moved tonight. The Rockets, if they move Lin along with Asik, will have right around 17 million in cap space so getting to that 18 million threshold is important for free agency. I think Morey still loves D-Mo's upside, but they are probably realistic that its going to cost them something to get that necessary cap space, and D-Mo probably needs a change of scenery to get the PT and development he needs. Wouldn't be shocked to see Philly jump at the chance to grab him for 1 of the 5 second rounders Philly has tonight. Remember 2nd rounders are ideal for the Rockets to preserve cap space.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Something to watch tonight: Hearing we could be in for high number of international picks in the 20-to-30 range of this once-vaunted draft</p>— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/482234854789369856">June 26, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
