[Feigen] How Rockets could get better quickly after lockout ends

Why? So you're saying the Rockets should not try to make the playoffs because you wouldnt want them to have to give up, say, the #18 pick?

If anything, the Rockets should want to give up that pick to New Jersey this year rather than later. Some reasons for this opinion:

--The Rockets already will have both the Knicks' first rounder and the Wolves' second rounder. Those should be two decent picks already. The Rockets don't need to have another mid-first rounder. If anything, they could always buy a late first rounder and/or trade up with their multiple picks (which could include a bought pick).

--The Rockets have enough "non-top-5-pick" young talent on this team. They don't need 3 more rookies in 2012.

--Any pick in the #11-20 range will just take up additional cap room in a summer when the Rockets may want to maximize their cap room, especially when a comparable player could be had for the minimum with Minnesota's second rounder.

--As long as the Rockets continue to owe New Jersey that pick, the Stepien Rule will greatly restrict the Rockets' ability to trade future first round picks. With that trade obligation out of the way, there will be much greater certainty in any trades (including a potential sign-and-trade for a guy like Howard or CP3) made after the 2012 NBA Draft.

 

Forget the season, so much revenue already lost from missed games. Tank and get a top 5 pick. No more missing the playoffs, but staying right around 500 and getting a #14 pick for a role player at best. No big name free agent will come here without a star already on our roster. Martin is good, but not good enough to attract others. Tank by letting our young players develop.