Gibson is as consistent a 3pt shooter as you can get. He's never shot below 38% in a season in his career, while Toney Douglas has ranged from 23% to 39% from 3s in a season in his career. That is quite big. First is the consistency. Second, if we look at career 3pt shooting numbers, Douglas is 36%, Gibson is 41%. That is BIG. Just think Chandler Parsons, who's shooting 36% from 3s this year vs almost 34% last year, but you'd swear he's a much much better 3pt shooter this year (despite only 2% difference). Or think Delfino, who's shooting a career best 40.5% vs roughly 36 to 38% in his last five years. You can't understand how Delfino signed for $3M/yr? Well, his best year before this year was 38%, but Gibson averaged 41% in his career over 6.5 seasons!!! I bet you Gibson will play ahead of Douglas AND Beverley if traded to the Rockets, and pretty much from day 1. This is why I would trade for Jimmer also. Shooting 42% from 3s this year, playing with a bunch of selfish teammates. Assuming no other trades, next year if Lin takes it to 33%, Parsons takes it to 38%, Delfino stays 40%, Morris/2Pat hits 38% (Morris already 38%, while 2Pat is shooting 3s pretty respectably at 35-36% for his first year shooting them in the NBA), add in a Gibson or Jimmer at 41/42%, that is a lot of 3 pointers to space the floor with Lin / Harden on PnRs and playmaking.
Let me just add ... using Parsons as a case. 34% shooting from 3s is someone you give space to. Yes, it is 1.02 pps, but you risk leaving the paint too open. 36% is someone you'd have to guard reasonably close, and 38% plus you have to guard pretty closely. That's why Morris when he's shooting well, opens up the floor much more than Patterson (38% vs 35%), because you have to guard him fairly closely. Once you get to 40% (Delfino this year), you basically need to stay on him very closely. When these 40%+ shooters get hot (or looks like he might), the spacing opens up incredibly. I think this is the reason for the Rockets' huge +/- with Delfino. Kind of like Novak with Lin last year ... Novak provided so much spacing on that Knicks team. Or JR Smith in December this season. But the key is to be a consistent 40% 3pt shooter. Gibson definitely is. If we can get him for a similar contract to Delfino's, it'll be a steal.
I'm certainly not buying Grant's PR spin about Gibson only being available if the Cavs can "significantly improve" their team. I'm calling shenanigans. My best guess is that, if nothing better materializes for either team, the Cavs and Rockets will simply swap expiring contracts of players they have no intention of re-signing: Daniel Gibson for Cole Aldrich. The Rockets get a good 3-point shooter and local product in Gibson, and it would open the door to trade Douglas for something of longer-term value (like a draft pick). The Cavs--who lost Anderson Varajeo for the season--are down to only one true center (Tyler Zeller) and could use some depth at that position. They also save some money with such a swap. Lastly, they can get a "free look" at Aldrich, who is still a young player able to improve with some consistent minutes off the bench. That's my best guess. Still, I'm guessing this isn't Plan A (or B, C, D or E) for the Rockets.
I'm actually pretty happy with our backup PG situation. TD's grown on me and Beverley has had a couple of bright spots. Not sure what the purpose would be to bring in a new guy more than halfway through the season.
I have mixed feelings about getting Gibson. Not that I wouldn't like having a proven 41% career shooter from behind the arc, but because it would mean taking minutes from the young guys that have shown some talent, and that I'd like to watch to see how they develop. If Morey makes a deal at the deadline for an upgrade at the 4, and has to include a guard or two (a likely scenario, imo), then sure. We have more talent at the guard/wing spots than we do in a couple of other positions, so we would need to create some room for Gibson. Just read Bima's post above, which is another possible play by Morey, and makes some sense. As for Carlos, he's quietly having the best season of his career. Yet another great "get" by Morey. For $3 million, Mr. Delfino is a steal.
He looked good playing beside LeBron (ie shots created for him). Not so good playing behind Kyrie ... with nobody to create shots for him. Yet, still hits it at a great clip.
Work for $, but - - PPat is too much by himself IMHO; and is CA worth 'something' by himself at the Deadline? I dunno
If Aldrich is worth "something" (i.e., the Rockets won't need to give anything up of value to "dump" him), then he'll be dealt. Here's hoping Aldrich can at least get you a second round pick, or at least a second round pick SWAP (like they got for Steve Novak - which ended up being the pick they used to take Chandler Parsons). Not holding my breath on that, though.
i actually think Aldrich is a little underrated. I see him as a serviceable backup center. he's looked good in limited action. Hopefully other teams noticed.
My guess is if we can't get anything of value for him before the trade deadline (not holding my breath either), Morey will simply cut him like he did with T-Will. Not that Aldrich is a headcase. Morey will simply give him a chance to catch on with another team to play for a contract, and try to use that roster spot by signing someone with non-guaranteed contracts in 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Our DLeague centers might get a look
CA has lots going for him: he's tall and he's tall, he's a 'true' center, expiring contract, he is tall, and, by all accounts, is a good teammate. That has to be worth SOMETHING, no? Can Gibson run the Point sufficiently (in relief) to allow JH13 some assistance while being able to hit the open shot? Yes to the latter but the former? I just am not certain. But, if Gibson can handle the described role and if Douglas can be dealt then we're still pretty much where 'we're' at right now.
