I think the refs got sick of his flopping, including his chin-jerk flops, and didn't give him the bennie of the doubt (he got away with murder against the Lake Show). He he was taken out of his game, got flustered. Great player, though.
With the increasingly unlikeliness that we'll get Howard, leaving out for a moment that we don't know if he'd stay, I'd just as soon we stand pat and have an entertaining year rooting for a bunch of young guys. Clutch's article reviewing the rookies in Las Vegas (not to mention Parsons and Lin) got me pretty pumped for a fun year even if it's not a winning one.
Not sure there is a "increasing unlikeliness." Seems the odds are same as they ever were. That said, I think one guy Morey might turn to (again) is Eric Gordon.
Sadly, that approach would admit Les-More's scheme didn't work, which is why the Rox will double down on the fail.
