[ClutchFans] Houston Rockets Salary Cap Update: The Impact of Harden's Deal

Thank you! I think Jeremy Lin needs to learn more from Chandler Parson. Parson put up good numbers off the ball of Harden and he uses PnR many times on his possessions(based on Parson's film or if anyone is willing to put up one).

I don't see any reason of letting Lin play more PnR off of Harden's hand even when Harden is on the floor. Many teams are doing it and that will take a lot of ball pressure and double team off of Harden.

I am not specifically talking to BIMA but Harden is not a super star. We saw the issue when Tmac was here and TMac was the primarily PnR player. But that offense is bashed all over too of being too predictable and stagnant. So back to my point: no reason to have just one primary PnR player, right?

 

I personally think you need to be careful because this could very easily open up a Jeremy Lin vs Harden debate, so Im not sure we should go there in this thread, and keep that opinion to the Lin threads that aren't that hard to find.

My thoughts are that what they are doing on the short term court play of our core young players, have very little short term impact in the front offices decision making. Meaning, just because Lin & Harden aren't coexisting well, doesn't mean they are going to think about trading him. Sure "if the right deal comes along" exists as Bima just mentioned, Morey wouldn't think twice about pulling the trigger, but I just dont see it happening. Nor is any Gm going to give up much at the time to get Lin.

If however, there was a team that needed to move a star player, and wanted to get back a big name playmaker in return, thats when I could see the Rockets & Lin being a trade option. However, that's probably not going to happen this February. Too few stars on the move, Lin's contract is still very new with lots of money left committed, and his play hasn't been what it probably could be after a few more months playing with this new/young team.

 

Regarding to Lin's struggle, I think there're a few reasons:

1) The most important one: He's slowly getting back his athleticism. We maybe talking about the similar issue as Patterson last year. I hope he'll improve and at 100% before next season if not earlier.

2) In preseason, basketball prospectus mentioned that Rockets didn't expect to get Lin, because otherwise they may not get Asik(not good PNR partner). This is half true: I think we'll still get Asik, but he's truely a bad PNR fit.

3) Like everyone is saying, Harden dominates the ball right now. Harden maybe one of the best passer of the SG's, but he's assit/to ratio(half of Lin's this year) suggest he's an average PG at best and should not assume fulltime PG responsiblity.

4) In first unit, Parsons also aggressively handles the ball more than last year. He's improving and having promising result, but that further reduces Lin's opportunity. In second unit, both Douglas and Delfino handles the ball in certain situations. This is very different than Newyork last season, when there's nobody can handle the ball half decent other than Lin.

In the long term, the only thing matters is Lin's athleticism(it's obvious when he can't finish in some easy opportunities). As long as he can regain his full strength, everything else would be temporary issues. In that perspective, Harden's arrival maybe the best thing happen in this circumstance - it takes pressue off Lin and allows him to recover/improve slowly.

 

So, assuming that both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard stay put this summer, and no other "first tier" stars become available, are the Röckëts better off (1) not adding anybody and roll over the cap room for one more year, (2) adding only 1 yr contract guys (Delfino type deal) in order to maintain flexibility, or (3) adding a 2nd tier Josh Smith player as trade chip?

Also, one issue I see is that all of the Röckëts young cheap assets are PFs and the trade partner may not want a PF (or multiple ones).

 

when count how much their salaries are against the rox cap each year, their average salaries are used. could it be the case that 105% raise on their average salaries when resigning them after their contract are expired?

 

The answer is clear, to me that is, become a trade partner. Take the stud who 'needs' out because the cap room allows and the 'assets' facilitate the rest of the deal.

Bima, is there an answer to the trade effects of Lin/Asik's contracts? Because if that is clear and if the unthinkable occurs where Dwight moves off from LAL...

 

I think we eventually need to have a conversation about Bynum. If the Rockets doctors check him out, would you consider a two year deal with a third year team option at max dollars? Definitely a high risk, high reward move. Keeps you in the hunt for Kevin Love when he is available, or maybe not depending on what Chandler Parsons price ends up being.

I don't like the idea of saving cap space because you limit yourself a lot and then what happens the following year when you dont get the guy you want? Wait another year?

I would pick up the phone and offer the Jazz: Patterson + Lin for MoWill + Milsap and then throw a high dollar but short term deal at Bynum in the offseason. If you were lucky you could field this lineup:

Williams / Machado
Harden / ???
Parsons / ???
Milsap /Jones /Dmo
Bynum / Asik / Dmo

Contender? I am not sure, but it sure would be a heck of a team.

 

Probably a combination of (2) & (3), though (3) only makes sense if the price is right.

Äs for the all our assets are PFs issue I would think the Rockets will try to address that going forward.

I think they'd be happy to ship Patterson or Morris for a pick or a similar player playing a different position and/or with one more year on his rookie deal.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade Jones either. I'm still not totally convinced the Rockets really loved him coming out of college and he just might gather more interest than Patterson or Morris.

Patterson I think is the most interesting of our PFs to playoff teams, so a market for him might open up with an injury or two down the road. The Clippers and the Odom situation might be something to keep an eye on as well.

Morris and Jones would appear to make more sense for a rebuilding team. I could see the Cavs or Bobcats have interest for example. Both teams have a multitude of picks in upcoming drafts and PF is a position of need for both teams.

As for similar talent, playing a different position, I would think at least some of these guys will be available at the deadline: Isaiah Thomas/Jimmer Fredette, Eric Bledsoe, Avery Bradley, Marshon Brooks, Evan Fournier/Jordan Hamilton, Terrence Ross, Jeff Taylor, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris.

 

No problem, Bima. I just want to comment on the little discussion going on here about Lin.

Back to the topic, I think Morey did a very good job constructing our team. Your analysis is very insightful as always.

 

First of all, you made a mistake of changing one of the youngest and most flexible team to a mediocre and high salary team Big Time! Bynum? And Mo Williams? They might just be a boarder-line star and Bynum is a high injury big man. If one wants to build a championship team, we don't need players like that. Think big! Target young players and 2 big time star like Harden. One star or even a super star can't win it alone. Get another star and develop young players for good players.

 

PAUL MILLSAP


I think he'd be the perfect complementary piece... dominant on his own at times yet overlooked... but with guys like parsons, harden, and lin he could take the next step.


thoughts? could he be had this offseason for slightly less than max?

 

as much as i like Paul Millsap, i think we need a franchise piece if we are not going to develop the talented bigs we already have, and i just don't see him as that. So i disagree, but i'm gonna rep you because i think your user name is the t***.

 

Haha thanks man.

I'm curious to see why you see Millsap as less than a franchise piece though..

He is more than solid on both ends, is only 25 (26 in February)


For some reason I see him as a perfect fit for this team. He can run or slow it down and play half court. I'd give him the max. But if he can accept less than the max, I say do that 10 times out of 10.

 

correction: he will be 27.

 

BimaThug,

If TD actually finish year shooting 3's at 45%, do think Morey extend $3,101,820 qualifying offer? If so, how much cap space do we have left.