*if it does happen I can see it happening on draft night Tjones Capela - stock sky rocketing with each playoff game Ariza Kpapa 18th pick NY pick For Aldridge Batum Blazers bring back Matthews and offer Deandre the max after Gasoline passes to stay with the Grizzlies DJ Tjones Ariza Matthews Lillard That is still a playoff team Howard LMA Batum Harden Beverly We will be a top 3 team
Not hating on Cyberx, appreciate the info, but we already knew: -Scola misses Houston and would love to return. Houston feels the same. -LMA more likely to leave than thought, wants to come back to TX. Dallas now looks like a terrible option, so whatever Houston's chances were, they just got better. -Rockets will try to bring Lull over. Cyberx only seems to confirm that Scola's return is a lock, but the other two tidbits don't really change anything.
I don't think we've seen anywhere else that Houston is interested. That's new (although maybe it should always be assumed that Morey is interested in any star player)
If the Rockets get Aldridge it won't be with cap room. Definitely a SnT, and the numbers aren't feasible unless you include Ariza (which I hate). This probably takes a 3 team trade with Ariza going somewhere other than Portland. I could see Chicago being interested, and including a guy like Tony Snell.
As much as i like TJ, he deserves to shine, so I won't hate seeing him traded somewhere he can do that. Same for Dmo. We need to keep Brewer and Smith. Is this even realistic, financially? Lull/Bev/ROOKIE Harden/McDaniels/ROOKIE Ariza/Brewer/ROOKIE LMA/Smith/Scola Howard/Capela/Dorsey
If the Rockets get Aldridge it won't be with cap room. Definitely a SnT, and the numbers aren't feasible unless you include Ariza (which I hate). This probably takes a 3 team trade with Ariza going somewhere other than Portland. I could see Chicago being interested, and including a guy like Tony Snell.
Jesus, I go take a nap for two hours and when I wake up we're getting LMA and Scola's coming back. You think if I go back to bed for another two or three hours we could get squared up for KD in 2016?
1. If Morey wants a high level guy like Aldridge, he is almost certainly willing to essentially gut the roster of pretty much everyone but Dwight and Harden to make it happen, whether in a sign and trade or to create the cap room for a signing. Morey was willing to do this for Bosh and I am pretty sure be willing to do it for Aldridge. 2. The Rockets will have a hard time creating actual "max" room for Aldridge, but they can come close by trading Ariza for no money in return, letting all the non-guaranteed and expired guys go (maybe sign one of them back via room exception) and maybe trading away one or both of DMo and Jones for no money in return. Aldridge might sign a 1 year deal (with maybe a player option 2nd year) at a bit less than the max with big cap increase in 2016 in mind. 3. Aldrige, I think, would fit the team nicely. His size allows him to legitimately play C if needed so you have good size, rebounding and rim protection with Dwight sitting. His shooting range should help with the spacing-- high level midrange shooter, and pretty good at 3 pointers, too (35% 3pt% on 1.5 attempts).
Isn't there a rumor that Love is going to test free agency and speculation that his relationship with McHale (and a connections with Harden by being "L.A boys") could pay huge dividends? An offseason that could include us chasing Love and LMA as our 3rd stars, a possible homecoming from Scola, a possible welcoming of Llull and/or trying to convince Brewer, Smith and McDaniels.. If the Rockets can add a deep playoff run to that, then I can sleep happy tonight!
You've got to wonder what gutting the team will do to Harden and Howard though....especially Howard losing his best friend. If they get past the 2nd round or take it to 6-7, they're going to want another shot next year with a healthy Bev and DMo.
