I know there's been a lot of talk over Morey's comments that he's looking for players with more upside vs. immediate (veteran) help right now. The Rockets appear to be more concerned with their next three years than their last 25 games. With that in mind, I had an idea that I mentioned in a few threads the other day: think long term.. REALLY long term. There was a report that the Celtics were interested in Battier (what contender wouldn't be?). As we looked closely at their roster, it became apparent that they have very little that would make the trade work. So what should the Rockets do? Trade Battier to the Celtics for Jermaine O'neal and their unprotected 2014 1st rounder. That's right: 2014. Let me explain: Jermaine O'neal is a constantly injured PF/C that the Rockets likely have no use for unless he's healthy (a rarity). His contracts ends after next season. But so what? The Rockets are not going to be FA players this off-season (is there anyone even worth going after?), so JO taking on Jared Jeffries bench role for an extra year does not kill our flexibility. The Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA -- but they are also one of the oldest teams. I believe they have about three years left in them, including this one; Doc Rivers has already talked openly about this year possibly being his last (not buying it). Trading for their 2014 1st rounder would (hopefully) catch them as they go from being a contender to rebuilding. While it would not help the Rockets right now, it could potentially be pretty valuable in three years when we're hopefully nearing the end of our rebuilding phase. Considering that Shane Battier is most likely walking to a contender at the end of the year, I certainly wouldn't mind Morey taking this gamble. The options aren't limited to the Celtics: you can roll the long term dice with any team that you think won't replicate their current success in two-to-three years. Utah, for example, is likely to lose Deron after next year. Same goes for the Hornets (who are desperate for help), who look like it's only a matter of time before they lose CP3. Orlando has been rumored to be on the hot seat with Dwight Howard. We've all seen first hand how ugly the fall can be when you lose your best players. Trading some of our current players who don't fit into the long term plans for future unprotected 1st rounders could potentially pay big dividends for us in the future. This may not be plan A for Morey, but I don't think I would be upset if this was plan C on the table. If we are unable to land the young guys/talent we want, I think Daryl should take a long look at this approach as well.
The thing is, teams don't trade picks that are that far away exactly for the reasons you just explained. A 2014 pick on a contender is way more valuable/expensive than a 2011 pick.
I didn't mean for the Celtic proposal to take up the brunt of the topic. I more wanted to discuss the strategy of trading for future picks (2+ years away) vs. looking for immediate help. That said, I don't really believe anything the writers are saying right now when we're so close to the deadline. Lots of misinformation and misdirection. That's why the strategy probably only works with contenders. Do you think Boston cares about 2014? They care about winning championships today, not where they're drafting in three years (IMO). I think a lot of teams that are on the verge of contending would not mind sacrificing a draft pick that is year's away for a better shot now. Utah might not be the best example, as they aren't close to contending and would probably be cautious with the Deron rumors. But NOLA is desperate to please CP3 and would be willing (IMO); same for Orlando and Dwight Howard. I just thought it was an alternative approach we could possibly take in looking at our future. Not my first choice, but not a bad choice IMO.
I wouldn't be surprise at all if they move Battier. The Kings put out a statement a few days before the trading deadline saying they wouldn't trade Martin and we all saw that happened there.
2012 should be the aim year. The rockets can do it one or 2 ways. They can trade for a guy like Kaman and keep playing or the can trade for a guy like Thabeet and keep playing. Personally, I might be inclined to do both, but I think thabeet really needs 20+ mins to see if he's useful or a bus. Here is what I would do. I would position the team to be capable of making a serious run at Howard first, williams 2nd. They should set the team up with players on the uptick who are still pretty cheap who havent hit their ceiling. In case the rockets cant get howard or williams, they still need to have a young enough team with upside to keep moving forward.
THINK REALLY LONG TERM: while all these other players start teaming up to win titles, the rockets should just keep quietly rebuilding. let's be ready to pounce in 4-5 years when some of the stars in their prime start to fade. let's go pp, twill, and jhill!
I like the idea and it makes practical sense. However, the average non-clutchfans member rockets fan would cringe at that thought. Everybody knows that the average joe doesn't have the patience to wait 3 years for possibly good results.
Yao's arms looked like firehoses when he first got here but look at him now. If he's good enough to be drafted, he'll put on some pounds here with the right trainers.
Because it would be fun to get another tall, skinny Chinese guy and watch his lower body buckle under the weight we add to him.
