I'd like to trade for Nash, not sure they give up Gortat though. Not really sure Lopez is the answer either, but we are sorely lacking that defensive presence in the middle.
I don't even think Gortat could be packed with Nash, could he? Nevermind, we could do a seperate, but simultanouos deal by using Ariza trade exception for him.
Kennedy: Rockets Waiting for Blockbuster Deal By: Alex Kennedy 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.
What about going out and getting an athletic big that is rotting away on someone's bench? What about taking a shot at Hassan Whiteside.....I wanted him in the draft, but he is behind Cousins in Sacramento....and they are not going to get rid of him. He is an extremely gifted scorer with a 7'7" wingspan who led the NCAA in blocks last season (I believe).... Why not target him? <object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sMwAYFWYbRU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sMwAYFWYbRU&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object> DD
He has more of an offensive game than Camby and is a good jump shooter from the elbow....even at the 3pt line. He will NEVER play with Cousins ahead of him in Sacremento.....I really really want the Rox to go get him.....he is the kind of low risk, high reward at a position of need type of player Morey should be targeting. DD
He was a triple-double threat in college could get you 10 boards, 10 blocks, 10 points. Go get em Morey!! Oh he can hit the 18 footer too.
3 Way Trade Rockets Trade: Jared Jeffries, Patrick Patterson, Chase Budinger, TE Rockets Receive: Chris Kaman, Jarron Collins, Willie Warren Clippers Trade: Chris Kaman, Jarron Collins, Willie Warren, Baron Davis, Brian Cook Clippers Receive: Jared Jeffries, Patrick Patterson, Chase Budinger, Boris Diaw, Shaun Livingston, TE Bobcats Trade: Boris Diaw, Shaun Lingston Bobcats Receive: Baron Davis, Brian Cook Rockets do it because they pick up a very good center in Chris Kaman. They have to give up 2Pat which is tough. Also, give up C-Bud but he's replaced by T-Will. Willie Warren is also a nice prospect. Clippers do it because they're able to get rid of Kaman and B-Diddys contracts. They pick up nice prospects in Patterson and Budinger. Also big expirings in Boris Diaw and Jared Jeffries. Bobcats do it cause they've expressed an interest in bringing B-Diddy, C: Kaman/Hayes/Miller PF: Scola/Hill/Collins SF: Battier/Williams SG: Martin/Lee/Warren PG: Lowry/Brooks/Smith Inj: Yao Ming
Trade 1: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=33o6cbk Kevin Martin Brad Miller Kyle Lowry/ or extended Aaron Brooks Jared Jeffries for Chris Paul Emeka Okafor Trade 2: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=29ypj8f Yao Ming Jordan Hill Shane Battier multiple draft picks for Carmelo Anthony Al Harrington Chris Andersen Depth Chart PG: Chris Paul | Kyle lowry | Ishmael Smith SG: Courtney Lee | Chase Budinger SF: Carmelo Anthony | Terrence Williams PF: Luis Scola | Al Harrington | Patrick Patterson C: Emeka Okafor | Chuck Hayes | Chris Andersen
Two quick trade ideas http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=29fvs5l Yao Ming Chase Budinger 2nd Round Pick for Barron Davis Deandre Jordan Jason Collins protected 1st round pick(s) Houston would get a young athletic defensive center with upside and an all star type player in Davis when motivated. Clippers get out from under BDiddy's contract, get a young role player to continue a youth movement. or... http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=27cnk4b similar trade except Yao Ming and Ish Smith go to NY for Ronny Turiaf and Eddy Curry (along with Chase) go to LA. This obviously would be if NY misses out on Melo. Their only incentive would be to get Yao's bird rights in hopes to pair him with Amar'e.
I think the idea of getting Steve Nash and retaining enough assets to bring in another top line player who would want to play with Nash and Co.
God I hope you are wrong. Cousins isn't worth Scola, let alone Scola, Brooks and Yao (even as injured as he is). I'd rather trade for Camby and Whiteside. Whiteside may be a project (3 yrs min) but Camby would be a great mentor, and Camby WANTS to be in Houston. Neither (or both) would cost Scola, Brooks or Yao IMO.
I wouldn't mind the move, DD, but I sincerely doubt it happens. Prior to the draft, there were multiple reports that the Rockets "had zero interest" in taking Whiteside. Supposedly some red flags came up that they weren't comfortable with. The Rockets have a history of chasing players post-draft that they liked during them. Courtney Lee for example, Terrence Williams, Rudy Fernandez. I don't think they would go after someone they weren't comfortable taking during the draft when he hasn't done much to show that he's worth the flier.
And on top of this, is this really the answer, a rookie whom has hardly seen the light of day? We need someone that's been there, someone that doesn't need much coaching up. I'm looking toward Camby or Gortat. Sucks we missed out on Chandler when we tried to get him, he's done wonders for Dallas.
I have very little faith in the Rockets strategy in acquiring bigs, they seem to value smalls ....and guys that are average size that produce more than bigs with upside. I think Morey's graphs are of the JC Denton variety in the bigs category. Takeing Patrick Patterson who is a nice player but average sized over other guys who are big and athletic was not a good move, IMO. DD
DD no question Whiteside has talent, he's just not the answer for now. If he's part of a package then ok, I just think a vet big is the answer. Easier said than done acquiring one.
Why a vet big? This team is not going to win anything, get a guy with massive upside, and plan for the future. This season is over......we need to build for the future. DD
You giving up on this season already? We are only half a game out of the playoffs for God's sake. Especially when teams like the Blazers (w/o Roy) , Nuggets (when Melo leaves), and Suns are gonna drop off, we could even be the 4-5th seed. We and Morey definitely don't think the season is over and neither should you. I think a guy like Varejao could easily be had and he is still relatively young. He would help out immensely and put us over the top with the addition of a upgrade at the wing position.
To be determined, IMO. So far, Patterson has outperformed Whiteside in the D-League. Means very little, but it at least shows Patterson is the better player at the moment. Whether he'll be the better player in 3-5 years, nobody really knows. But I think it's a bit soon to be complaining about taking Patterson over a guy who ended up dropping all the way to the 2nd round. I get what you're saying about looking towards the future. I feel the same. But for better or worse, this team is too good to miss the playoffs right now. Morey's only going to look to acquire a big that can us help us now (and later?), rather than a project that is a ways away.
