Well, if they were going to lose, glad it was today. It would avoided the long week of false hope for making the playoffs. The team has been the most frustrating team in the last two decades. I would say even with the years we dealt with injuries with Yao and McGrady; at least we had an excuse. So glad this steaming pile of turd of a season is over with. I look forward to hiring a new coach, and get a good camp going into next. There's just no way we can play with any less heart than now.
THEE OFFSEASON STARTS NOW! [rQUOTEr]Rockets to pursue overhaul for the long haul ... The choice of coach and the system he would run likely will be the only piece of information Dwight Howard will need before deciding whether to return for the final season of his contract. Howard has been expected to opt out since the players association turned down the NBA's request to phase in the salary-cap increase, leading to this summer's dramatic spike in free-agent dollars. The Rockets' struggles this season and his decreased role have seemed to make him certain to consider his options elsewhere. The Rockets have not ruled out trying to keep Howard, but that would be part of a larger plan and would depend greatly on their choice of coach. The Rockets' top priority would be to join the pursuit of Thunder star Kevin Durant. Oklahoma City's success and the Rockets' issues could complicate that because the Rockets likely seek a key signing to help entice Durant, the prize of the summer. Begin star search Balancing that kind of budget if the Rockets hope to first lock up Howard or attract a coveted second star to join James Harden such as Atlanta's Al Horford could be difficult. New Orleans forward Ryan Anderson has been a frequent trade target. Other top unrestricted free agents include Miami center Hassan Whiteside, Memphis guard Mike Conley, Golden State forward Harrison Barnes, Charlotte center Al Jefferson and forward Nicolas Batum and Dallas forward Chandler Parsons. Morey may have as much as $44 million to spend in free agency, though that would require rescinding any qualifying offers he makes and either letting all his own free agents walk or forfeiting his "Bird rights" to sign them. It might not come to that, even if he does find ways to spend that much. He has several contracts that in the new NBA economy could be considered good value and relatively easy to move, at least compared to his previous summers clearing cap room. Morey also could bring back Michael Beasley, who appears to be a bargain, and keep his qualifying offer and cap hold to try to keep restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas, and still have $38 million to spend. Terrence Jones, Josh Smith and Jason Terry will be free agents. Harden, Pat Beverley, Trevor Ariza, Corey Brewer, K.J. McDaniels, Beasley and Andrew Goudelock are all under contract with the Rockets, the latter two with team options for next season; Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker are on their rookie deals. Despite the Rockets' struggles, they could keep many of those signed players. But nearly anything is likely to be considered. As different as the Rockets' season has been from expectations, the offseason is expected to bring more widespread changes.[/rQUOTEr]
Of this list I would pursue Horford, Conley, and Batum. But its likely that neither Horford or Conley are realistic at this point. Don't want Barnes, don't want Jefferson, do't want Parsons. Need a bigger net, er list of FA and trade targets.
CURRENT ROSTER PG: Beverley - Terry - Goudelock SG: Harden - Brewer - McDaniels SF: Ariza - Beasley - Dekker PF: Motiejunas - Smith - Jones - Harell C: Howard - Capela BOLD - Under Contract with the Rockets DREAM ROSTER PG: Beverley - Lin SG: Harden - McDaniels SF: Durant - Beasley - Dekker PF: Horford - Harell C: Capela - Vet Minimum Player Plus our second round pick. LIKELY ROSTER PG: Beverley - Goudelock SG: Harden - Brewer - McDaniels SF: Ariza - Beasley - Dekker PF: Anderson - Motiejunas - Harell C: Capela Plus our second round pick.
why is batum so highly coveted, or at least so expected to get near a max? he's basically a 15 PER, 0.12 WS/48 player who went slightly above those numbers in his peak season. and he plays some defense. looking at win shares, at his peak season, he might be worth 20M with the cap at 110M. in his more normal season, he's a 14M player even with the cap at 110M.
If that is our likely roster, then you might as well trade Harden and go young. Because, that roster has a lot of trash and isn't going anywhere. If Morey can't surround Harden with players that can make the Rockets a contender, then why keep Harden for another two years and watch him walk?
