Ekpe Udoh to announce decision today

I'm thinking at least one, maybe two of Hill, Jeffries, and Chuck will be gone in the offseason (Chuck if he gets an offer elsewhere, Jeffries and/or Hill if we end up making a trade). Scola is only gone if it's for a package for Bosh or another star.

Jeffries/Chuck should have no impact whatsoever on our draft decision. They are nice role players to have at the end of the bench for depth, but as far as I'm concerned Yao, Scola, and Hill are our bigs next year. Udoh or another pick would hopefully end up 4th behind them, and preferably be the primary backup center. Then you round out the bench with Andersen and Jeffries/Hayes (ideally trade Jeffries and re-sign Hayes for cheap).

All that being said I'm sure we're not locked in on taking a big with 14. Morey will take the best player that can contribute.

 

Udoh has real talent and will make it in the NBA. The problem for us is that he is a PF...not a C. He does not have the bulk to play the C spot. We are loaded at PF (Scola, Jeffries, Hill, and Hayes). I know Hayes play C, but at 6'6 he is better suited at the PF spot. The Rox need a bona fide C to back up Yao, hang onto Scola and 3 of either Jeffries, Hayes, or Hill, and they are set in the low post. With Brooks, Lowry, Martin, Budinger, Ariza, and Battier on the perimeter, these guys should be pretty solid next season. My big question is whether Brooks and Martin can play enough defense to deter penetration and keep Yao out of foul trouble.

 

I'd love Udoh to stay a Baylor Bear, but it'd make the most sense for him to move onto the NBA. Preferably as a Rocket