The Rox need a starting 2. The Rox might be able to land James with the MLE. Then we would have our backup 1 and 2. But we would still a NBA average sized 2 to start. Now TMac could be our starting 2, which is only meaningful on defense, and Battier could be our starting 3. But if the opponent has a 2 that really needs to be guarded, JVG would want neither TMac or Battier doing that. Battier could guard a below average quick 2, not saying a lot. TMac could probably do a decent job guarding most NBA 2s but we probably do not want to make him to work that hard on defense (outside of the playoffs). So the Rox need a starting, lenghty 2. The MLE might get it done, but the MLE is more likely to bring James back to Houston since James's value is hurt by his size and age. The TE is less than the MLE. What is left is making a trade. What are the ROx tradable players beside the big two? Alston, Head, and Battier. Battier would be the most coveted of the three. Alston has some trade value but the Rox would need to sign a 1 FA before even thinking about it. Head also has some value but not enough to land a starting 2 in a trade.
The Rockets could trade Battier for a long 2, but what long 2 can you get for Battier. I might rather Battier play the 3 (and 4 depending on matchups), and move Tmac back to the 2. Battier can guard the 2 or 3 (depending on who the better athlete/scorer is) and Tmac can still guard the other. Battier is a VERY good peremiter defender. What the Rockets do need now is a backup for EVERYONE in the starting lineup. the bench looks like this as of right now: Deke Hayes Ryan Bowen Head Sura? Mike James will probably demand all of the MLE. Rox have very little trade assets. This is just a bad situation if they plan on signing Mike James. Hopefully, there's more to the Griz trade. Stoudamire perhaps?
