[HoopsWorld] Just some Rockets Trade talks

MrJason · Dec 30, 2010

Didn't see it posted.

With the trade deadline less than a month and a half away, the Houston Rockets are doing their due diligence after failing to live up to expectations early in the season. The team is taking calls and exploring their options, but the team isn't itching to make a deal after winning eight of their last 10 games.

The Rockets have been able to ride their recent five-game winning back into playoff consideration and are competing for the final seed in the Western Conference which they held prior to Wednesday's loss to the Miami HEAT.

While much of Houston's core has been mentioned in trade rumors recently, sources close to the situation say that the team isn't in any hurry to make a move and will only pull the trigger on a deal if it yields a significant upgrade. So far, the Rockets haven't been overly impressed with any of the offers they have received and are waiting for the right package to materialize.

After stockpiling talent and picks, Houston would love to turn their assets into an All-Star so they continue to do their homework and are aware of what's available around the league.

The team has had conversations centered around Yao Ming and are asking for prospects, picks, and ending contracts in return. Though his health is still up in the air, Yao brings plenty to the table when it comes to the team's sales and exposure. That's why it will take a very attractive package for Houston to part with Yao. Even when injured, he generates plenty of China-based sales and remains a valuable piece for the franchise, so much so that one source close to the situation insists that the Rockets won't move him unless it means acquiring a superstar.

Kevin Martin is in a similar boat. Teams have approached the Rockets with offers for Martin, but management won't budge. When the Orlando Magic offered Marcin Gortat for Martin prior to completing their six-player trade with the Phoenix Suns, Houston declined and instead countered with a deal involving Courtney Lee. Like Yao, Martin won't be moved unless he's included in a package that would bring back a superstar, such as Carmelo Anthony.

The Rockets want to be players if the Denver Nuggets decide to trade Anthony because they believe they have the talent to both acquire Anthony and also convince him to sign a contract extension. One person with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking jokes Houston would trade anyone, including Rick Adelman and his staff, if it meant acquiring Anthony before February's trade deadline.

Trade rumors involving Aaron Brooks have also surfaced, but sources say that he's the least likely player to be moved by the Rockets. Teams like the Sacramento Kings, who have always let their interest in the point guard be known, continue to pursue Brooks, but the chance of a deal happening is very slim. Because he's a restricted free agent after the season, teams aren't offering anything substantial for Brooks. No team, including Sacramento, wants to risk losing or overpaying to keep him this summer should he sign a large offer sheet elsewhere.

The Rockets aren't going to blow up their roster for just anyone which is why many of the incoming offers haven't been appealing to the team. While pieces such as Jared Jeffries or Courtney Lee could be made available for roster tweaks – the Rockets have had their eye on Brendan Haywood – they'll continue to hold onto their other assets should an All-Star become available closer to the trade deadline.

With a huge cost clearing chip in Yao Ming, plenty of talented players, and draft picks to sweeten a deal, the Rockets are expected to be players closer to February should a team choose to part with a star player. But until that happens, don't expect Houston to settle and deal away the valuable pieces they hope to eventually use in a blockbuster trade.
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http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18330#ixzz19dFX7E5u

desi tmac91 · Dec 30, 2010

Wasn't it one of Yahoo or CBS that said the Rockets have 0% interest in Haywood?

Courtney Lee for Marcin Gortat would have been interesting to say the least.

MrJason · Dec 30, 2010

desi tmac91 said:

Wasn't it one of Yahoo or CBS that said the Rockets have 0% interest in Haywood?

Courtney Lee for Marcin Gortat would have been interesting to say the least.
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It was Marc Stein from ESPN

"Less than zero interest" is the way one source with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking jokingly described it. Which is why the similarly reported notion that offering up Haywood could somehow put the Mavs in play for longtime Mavs favorite Kevin Martin -- whom Dallas pursued unsuccessfully last season before the Rockets acquired Martin from Sacramento -- has been politely ignored here
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And I guess if the counter offer was Courtney Lee.. then we know DM values Kevin Martin more.

ArtV · Dec 30, 2010

I can't believe Orlando could ask for Martin for Gortat with a straight face.

KingStevo10 · Dec 30, 2010

ArtV said:

I can't believe Orlando could ask for Martin for Gortat with a straight face.
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There just mad we swept them in the finals.

mr. 13 in 33 · Dec 30, 2010

all i can say is we need a center

xiki · Dec 30, 2010

MrJason said:

It was Marc Stein from ESPN

And I guess if the counter offer was Courtney Lee.. then we know DM values Kevin Martin more.
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1 - the article says absolutely nothing
2 - it is Hoopsworld, after all
3 - if there were a shred of truth to CL/MG then the obvious conclusion is that Smith is Jonesing for all his former players :grin:

J-Man · Dec 30, 2010

Rockets said HELL NO to haywood since mavs wanted martin for him.

MrJason · Dec 30, 2010

xiki said:

1 - the article says absolutely nothing
2 - it is Hoopsworld, after all
3 - if there were a shred of truth to CL/MG then the obvious conclusion is that Smith is Jonesing for all his former players :grin:
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Yeah, I found it kind of repetitive from other articles, but highlighted what I saw that was a little bit different.

Mainly the Aaron Brooks comment because a lot of people on the forum have put AB in every trade scenario but the highlighted context sort of sheds some light on the fact that AB is actually the least likely trade bait.

delta69er · Dec 30, 2010

Gortat for Martin?!? LMAO!!! Orlando is trying to pull a Morey on us. Why would we part with our primary offensive force for a presence in the middle?

xiki · Dec 30, 2010

MrJason said:

Yeah, I found it kind of repetitive from other articles, but highlighted what I saw that was a little bit different.

Mainly the Aaron Brooks comment because a lot of people on the forum have put AB in every trade scenario but the highlighted context sort of sheds some light on the fact that AB is actually the least likely trade bait.
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And yet - all reports say that Kings have a jones-on for AB. And all reports say similar about Rox and Cousins. Add Udrih and Jeffries. A #1 and $3m to Sac and is there a basis for a deal? I have got to think at least discussable tween'n'twixt them folks, no?

MadRox · Dec 30, 2010

Heck lets trade AB+Martin+Scola for Blake Griffin. But probably will have to eat Baron Davis' 2 year 28.8mil contract to make the salary work (it's known Clippers really want to dump his contract). Reasoning behind this is simple, trade away all our defensive liabilities for a star player.

We get ourselves some serious defensive Juggernaut 8-9 man rotation:

Lowry
Lee
Battier
Griffin
Hill

Davis
Williams
Hayes
and some PatPat or Miller in the mix....

Lowry/Lee/Battier can knock down 3s and stop penetrations, Griffin/Hill combo be nasty on post up/rebound/block/protect the paint. We'll rival the Celtics for top defensive stats....King of Sports Center highlights with Lee/Williams/Griffin/Hill, all lowry had to do is lob the ball around the basket and someone will throw it down lol

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[HoopsWorld] Just some Rockets Trade talks

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