The goal is still the same- Find a superstar, and put yourself in the best position financially to do so. -Acquiring Dwight, Kobe, CP3, Lebron, etc... Pipe dream, but if a player like this randomly comes available, there is no reason NOT to make an offer. That being said.... Pipe Dream option #1. -Aquiring someone like Love, Aldridge, Bynum, Cousins, Griffin, Monroe, etc. is realistic goal #1. You should be willing to give up anything but Harden to get one of these guys. All of these guys are about as untoucheable as Harden is to Houston right now. Good luck Morey, but this is really what you want to keep your options open for in the coming weeks. You just never know who will come available. -Aquiring someone like Josh Smith or Rudy Gay would be considered as option #2 but only without giving up significant assets & mortgaging the future. If Dallas wants to give Josh Smith to a Joe Johnson type of contract next Summer LET THEM DO IT. Him and Gay are nice borderline All-Star players, but they are more fit to have a secondary role. However, if Morey can get one of them without selling the farm, Im all for it. -Aquiring someone like Gasol, Jefferson, Millsap, Randolph etc. should only happen if Morey feels like it actually HELPS their flexibility and pool of assets going forward. Conditional option #3. Helps them in the short term get from borderline playoff team to playoff team fighting with teams like Denver, Memphis, etc. If you are Morey right now, you stick with what you got, and really try to develop your youngsters. The key to getting an option 1 or 2 players through trade will be for someone to make themselves into an attractive trade asset. Come February you never know who is going to become available. Until then.... keep flexible, and grow with what you got.
I don't know about Bynum, his injury situation is pretty scary given his age. Other than that, very very good analysis
No doubt in my mind that Kevin Love is the PF for this team Elite Rebounder, Elite Scorer (50,40,30 pts anyone?) absolutely underrated, but definitely playing at elite territory Too bad he won't be available until 2015!
I just gave Kevin Love a fair, unbiased and objective look and think that he’s going to be a great fit for the Rockets. Everybody knows him as a rebound guy but the guy is so underrated. his offensive skills are underrated his defense is underrated his athleticism is underrated the only real concern with him is his health, he's had a lot of down time so far obvious pluses: superior long range shooting, 3pt territory with great percentages, perfect for pick and pop big time scoring, has 50, 40, 30 point games under his belt (50 against Thunder elite/solid defenders Perkins, Ibaka, Collison) big time rebounding. if you want to run, you need to get rebounds plus defensive rebounding is an important element of defense another great passer, oulets to our runners galore motor never stops wide body – idiotic but its perfect for screens for Lin and Harden and everybody else makes a lot of sense to me free agent at 2015 soonest available? probably available via trade at 2014, as soon as the Timberwolves realize he's going to be lost to free agency
The fact that they even had the meeting to begin with is a huge red flag right there. The outcome right now isn't great news for a team like the Rockets trying to acquire him, but if that meeting went negatively he could have been moved EXTREMELY QUICK. This is just a sign of how quick things can change in the NBA with players like this. Also keep in mind that isn't a team in the NBA that is tanking the season just yet because of underachievement. The most any NBA team has right now is 1 or 2 losses. Of course everything looks peachy right now.
I think the reason they had the meeting was because the Blazers have a new GM, and he wanted to take the steps to keep Aldridge in Portland forever. He's on board with the rebuild project it seems. I really don't see him getting moved. Love is a better bet methinks since he said he might want out if Minny misses the playoffs again.
You know what I'd be down. His contract ends @ 2015 which would open up cap space and allow us to pursue Aldridge or love in their prime.
Trade Marcus Morris and/or Toney Douglas for any somewhat competent PG. We have enough PFs to see who will earn the job. Personally, I was highly sceptical of Terrence Jones, but now I believe he should get the job until Donatas learns McHale's "system."
Can we get both Rudy Gay and Josh Smith? That would turn us into instant Western Conference nightmares. Lin Harden Gay Smith Asik The best team in the NBA.
I don't think there is a need for that this season. We can simply sign one in the off-season on the cheap like Devin Harris, etc. This season is primarily about developing our young guys and getting a lottery pick -- which can either be kept and developed or traded to get a complimentary player to James Harden. Likely 14th again!!! But who cares, we've already got our No.1 pick in Mr James Harden!!!!!
I left in the more realistic parts of your post. Holding out for a Kevin Love or a DeMarcus Cousins would waste two or three years. We have the PG. We have the SG (and should be an All Star). We have the center. We probably have the small forward. Power forward? See if TJones fits the bill. He'll have to develop quickly (this season). PF is clearly the team's unknown. Josh Smith is gettable, but would he put us into the top 4 in the West? After a few months, Morey should have an idea on how much patience he'll need or if he makes another splash.
Lin can't play 48 minutes per game, and Douglas is completely unworthy of the job. We need to use our 2013 draft pick (assuming we don't make the playoffs) to pick up one of the many big men who will be available (please, please let us draft Steve Adams). Like you, I would love to acquire Devin Harris (how the mighty have fallen) now or in the off-season to be Lin's backup.
