Who are the Rockets likely to strike a deal with? Teams I think they could approach. Kings: Traded with them in the past, but that was when the Rockets were acquiring players for Rick Adleman. Timberwolves: Adleman's current team. Could they use Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, or Chase Budinger? Blazers: Both teams have similar approaches to the draft (Roy, Batum, Fernandez, etc). Rumors that they want Kyle Lowry?
While the board has talked about this in depth already, I'll respond. The three teams are definite possibilities. I'd add: Golden State - Mark Jackson likely prefer a veteran or established player to move his team closer to the playoffs quicker. With a healthy Bogut, it's definitely possible. Problem? The Warriors don't need Scola or Martin, and already have their PG in Curry. They'd probably like Parsons. I like Parsons. I might give him up for the 7th pick if one of the consensus top 6 picks falls - say if Portland selects Lillard. But the Warriors might not think Parsons is enough value. Hornets - 10th pick in play. Especially if you take on Okafor's contract. I can see Morey doing something like this. Okafor is overpaid, but has value. Wouldn't give up a ton in return. Boston - Their back to back picks might be tempting. I tend to think this is not in the Rockets plans this year - too many first round picks and guaranteed contracts/cap holds... but you never know, especially if Morey thinks he can flip it for something else (i.e. get NJ to take it for our pick obligation) Of the 6 teams, I'd rank likelihood in the following order: 1. Portland (because of Lowry bait), 2. Hornets (if DM can structure the right deal, Okafor + 10 makes some sense) 3. Warriors (just really think Mark Jackson would prefer a "vet") 4. Wolves (we know we have players Adelman likes, but the TWovles aren't exactly sitting pretty at #18) 5. Sacramento (they might prefer a veteran over a rookie, but one on the Rockets roster?) 6. Boston (actually something Boston would likely do - package their 2 picks to move up to #14 or #16, but just don't think DM wants to. If anything DM probably trying to do the same, package picks and move up, or trade one of the two for veteran help)
I still like the Kings as a trade partner. From Chad Ford's chat yesterday: A young veteran you say? Spoiler The Kings need leadership and want to win now? Spoiler Who says no to: Rockets Trade: Lowry, Scola Receive #2, Garcia (EC) , Diop (EC) Kings Trade: #5, T.Evans, Garcia Receive: Lowry, Scola, Henderson Bobcats Trade: #2, Henderson, Diop Receive: #5, T.Evans Maybe throw in Budinger and/or the Mavs pick to get it done. Of course you wouldn't have to keep the #2 pick. You could flip it in a bigger trade. A guy like Beal might be appealing to the Thunder in some kind of deal for Harden. You could package the #2 pick in some kind of deal for Howard. Maybe even a three team trade involving the Thunder and Magic.
^^ not bad. think trade is most obvious from Rockets perspective. Bobcats and Kings both have some thinking to do. I'm as down on Evans as anyone, so from that perspective it seems to me the Cats trade a #2 for a #5 - moving back, and barely pick up anything by swapping Henderson for Evans. Not that Henderson is that great, but he's a consistent 3 point shot away from being a solid, solid 2 guard. Meanwhile, the Kings probably still think Evans should return them a gold mine and might find Scola to be too old and overpaid, Lowry to be a nice get, and Henderson to be "OK"
Kings need some thinking, Bobcats would make that in a heart beat. Get Reke and trade down so they dont look stupid if they take Barnes at #2 (cause we all know Jordan wants to).
I had a weird dream the other day that we traded to the number 2 spot. It's weird because my dreams usually involve being chased by evil exes in abandoned towns or sexy time with adult stars. However, there could be a scientific explanation or two for the dreams. One,i've been reading through these threads throughout the day or Maury is stealing my dreams!
Probably would have to give up at least the 14 as well to Bobcats, but that's still not a bad move. I also like the idea of trying to flip #2 for Harden. #2, Bud, and Dally for Harden.
Wow people here are seriously underrating Henderson. No way the Bobcats trade him for Evans. Moving back in the draft just makes it even worse for them. Really?? Henderson was easily the best player on the Bobcats last year. He scores around the same amount as Tyreke, but much more efficiently. He is very athletic, can slash to the basket, rebounds very well for a guard, has a beautiful midrange game and has become a very solid defender. An athletic guard who puts up his numbers on .460 and plays solid defense is no joke. Let's be real here....
Need to trade 16 to Boston for both their first rounders and lay on of the first rounders off to the Nets and call it a day, that's if trading up fails.
Tyreke shot a lot better this year than I thought. I remember last year he was around .415. Henderson is a much better shooter, and I prefer those types over better finishers IMO. I also think he has the edge defensively. In any case, the numbers are too similar to warrant moving down in the draft for the Bobcats IMO.
Henderson is a mediocre talent who got to take a lot of shots because he's on a historically horrible team.
Sounds exactly like ROTY Tyreke. At least Henderson was efficient from the field. That's all I need to know.
Hence their record. Everyone is being real. He'd be third string on the Rockets. He's a rotation guy, not a building block.
