T-Will is the only one I would say we made in hopes of finding a star. The other 3 either netted us an additoinal first round draft pick (Hill/Thabeet trades) or ridded us of a bad contract (Flynn for Miller) considering the chips in play, I don't think any of them were made with "this is the piece that will net us a superstar" in mind. as you said, they were all low risk moves.
I actually think the fact that we didn't amnesty Thabeet speaks a lot about Daryl's hopes for him. His hopes might be dead now that we signed Dalembert but hell... everyone secretly wished Hasheem was going to unleash his untapped potential here.
Free agency most often results in overpaying for someones services... The lottery is never a wise financial investment (NBA or otherwise) (Before a bunch of stupid replies about "This great player says Hi!"...somebody always wins the lottery - the vast majority dont) It's all about trading and upgrading... Average player + draft pick = above average player... the percieved value of a draft pick is OFTEN higher than the player it results in obtaining... that's the point of differential - that's where you focus...
Honestly, I have no idea, except get really lucky and that could take several forms. The team looks "stuck" to me, and I am not trying to be negative. It just seems that the options are more limited than some teams. There is no obvious easy fix. I think we would be a perfect team for D.Howard if he would just sign, but a trade for him would put him in the same situation he is now, maybe worse.
No. He was not amnestied because of his VERY LARGE EXPIRING CONTRACT. I don't know why we would eliminate something of value going forward. His contract will be in demand and will likely be used in a deal. If you think we traded for Hasheem on potential alone you are wrong. We traded shane for a 7 million dollar expiring contract and a first round pick.
Les was pot committed to Yao from the get go. It's my firm belief that in addition to all the year round hoops which killed him, there was language in that contract which assured he would never play for another team. And Les signed it with a smile. He's cleaning up in China. I get that, BUT IT WAS BRUTAL WATCHING THE CURTAIN EASE DOWN WHILE OUR FLEXIBILITY DIMINISHED. Even so, the manacled (perhaps in private, monocled, too), mad genius, Morey has managed to manipulate the situation w/McGrady, Yao, and Les in such a way as to make sure we have talent, upcoming capspace, and nice assets. Now, if we're patient, there is a good chance the Rockets will have a nice big window (and not to jump out of). But the 2012 trade deadline/free agency has always been endgame in management's mind (unless a sweet deal/signing came along before). I gotta believe based on Les's need for speed that we will make HUGE moves via trade and free agency in an attempt to "create a window", ensuring a very good record and high interest (fans in the seats). The latter two should be achieved, but I'm not sure about the first. I'd put it at 30-35% of reaching true contender status this way..and THAT'S because of DM the GM. What I and others have advocated for quite awhile is a total rebuild utilizing Morey's abilities to mine talent almost at will/ his MO, and Jedi Mind tricks. There's a ton less margin for error.... and a new age of Rockets hoops is cultivated and grown the right way (players develop and fans connect). Anyway, it's crunch time now. I hope we hit a home run over the next several months ...Dwight and Deron seem a longshot, but you never know. An Eric and Kyle backcourt + capspace sounds good. We'll see ...I digress though. "Amaze me with your acumen", Daryl.
In order of likelihood: 1) Trade 2) Young guy breaking out (Motiejunas is the most likely candidate) 3) Free agency 4) Draft Les will never approve a tanking season, so everyone needs to forget about that and get the hell over it. The course the Rockets have chosen to take is to build through trades, free agency, and taking gambles on young players, so you better be rooting for that course to succeed.
Anyone who thinks the team will reach contender status through the draft hasn't been paying attention the past few years. That's clearly not Morey's strategy. Morey's getting it done through shrewd trades combined with smart draft picks in the late first round and second round, to collect depth and assets, then swapping those assets for bigger names. He very nearly got it done with the Gasol trade before it was nixed. Despite that kind of interference, and despite losing McGrady and Yao, the team is winning, and looking toward the playoffs. I think Morey will make a big push to cash in those assets at this trade deadline. He knows he's running out of time and more people are getting skeptical about his approach. I'm less skeptical than I was during the last couple of years, though. I'm seeing some sense in this approach, for a team like the Rockets who aren't on any superstar's short list. I'd be surprised if the team doesn't end up pulling off a Gasol deal, and possibly more, before the deadline.
we do not have the pieces for a mega trade, only thing to wish for is for the young guns to lock and load.
Morey has found gold late in the draft, but not superstar gold. We have to hope he does at some point. This would be the year for it considering the draft's depth.
WE have/had the pieces for Chris Paul ('basketball reasons' aside)... course we were then giving him to the Lakers so we could pay a third of our cap to a soft 31yr old pf who looks like a giant chicken....
