[Examiner] Rockets next big question: What Yao will they get next season?

rockets934life · Feb 20, 2010

IMO a very interesting piece about Yao and Morey's big picture outlook for 2010 and beyond....

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-...they-get-next-season?cid=sharing_twitter:1519

When the Rockets had their press conference to announce the three-way trade with the Knicks and Kings, general manager Daryl Morey spoke of being players this summer in the free agent market.

He spoke of sign and trade deals, and now having enough assets to pull that off.

If that is indeed the case, the Rockets might be poised to return to serious prominence next season after all.

There were reports the Rockets made a last ditch effort to land Amare Stoudamire, but the deal fell through. However, it is the kind of trade that could happen over the summer. Or the Rockets could still be players for Chris Bosh via the sign and trade route.

Thursday's dealings brought the Rockets Kevin Martin, an oft-injured guard but an explosive wing scorer when healthy. Whether or not he stays healthy -- or turns out to be the player the Rockets think he can be -- remains to be seen. Regardless, he is 27 years old, and should still have upside.

Jordan Hill was a lottery pick who hasn't shown much. He might yet develop. It's unlikely Jared Jeffries or Hilton Armstrong will add much.

But the Rockets will have some trade assets this summer -- the extra pick from the Knicks, plus some expiring contracts. And Hill might have some trade value, too.

Morey all but said the Rockets would be players this summer, and in truth, they need to be. Another impact big man -- Bosh or Stoudamire -- would make the Rockets a top team even if Yao can't play next season.

And therein lies the elephant in the room. The Rockets believe Yao will be back next season. But like McGrady this year, there is no way of knowing. And Yao will be due a max deal for 2011-12.

There is no way to know if Yao will come back healthy, or if he will be close to the player he was when he got hurt. If he does, the Rockets will be fine.

If not? Then they need more help. A Stoudamire or Bosh would be a nice complement to Yao, but they would also be capable of dominating inside if Yao can't play.

The Rockets might strike out on getting those guys. But they have the assets to make a move now.

Morey has proven time and again he knows what he is doing. This set of trades hopefully sets up the next. Martin and Yao are question marks. In a best case scenario, they are both healthy, the Rockets add another big star, and the team is back in the title hunt.

Worst case? Yao never makes it back. Martin stays hurt more than he plays. The Rockets strike out this summer. Somewhere in between is the most likely scenario, but rest assured, the Rockets have a plan in place if Yao is not 100 percent.

They should think of him as a bonus rather than a go-to player. And while they won't say it publicly, that's clearly the case. These trades bear it out.

Regardless, we don't know what the Rockets will be yet. But there might be more moves to come this summer. And if so, this could be an interesting 2010-11 season.
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lovermanbuda · Feb 20, 2010

Not a bad read but I'm keepin my fingers cross that Yao can be effective next season comin of the injury. I'm hoping the worst case scenario for Yao is that he get off to a slow start.

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[Examiner] Rockets next big question: What Yao will they get next season?

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