Trade Thread - Approaching the Trade Deadline

[x-]

With the trade deadline only two weeks away I thought it was a good idea to give opposing fans an idea to what Morey and his player personal staff are looking at.

Note that all of the following is based on reports, as well as my personal opinions, so if you think I have no clue what I'm talking about you probably should stop reading right here, if you haven't already.

Q: What do the Rockets want?

A: A star. A center. Save money / get under the luxary tax. In that order.

Q: A center I hear? Do you want Andris Biedrins, Brendan Haywood, Chris Andersen, Jermaine O'Neal, Jeff Foster, Solomon Jones or Nenad Kristic?

A: No, thank you.

Q: What about Kaman, Dalembert or Camby?

A: Not a fan personally, but have been mentioned. It's far more likely Morey will go for somebody younger, though getting Melo could change things.

Q: What players have the Rockets shown interest in?

A: Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Nene, Josh Smith, Danny Granger, Marcin Gortat, Anderson Varejao, DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe, Anthony Randolph and Ricky Rubio.

Q: I'm a fan of a team that employs one of the players above. What can we expect in return.

A: Nobody is untouchable. I'd say the most likely players to be traded are Yao, Jeffries, Hill & Budinger. Least likely to be traded I'd say are Martin, Lowry & Hayes, but expect the unexpected.

Q: What draft picks could the Rockets include in a trade?

A: The Rockets can trade two draft picks of value: Our 2011 second rounder (rights to swap with LAC) and the 2012 first rounder from NY (top 5 protected).
The Rockets 2011 first rounder cannot be traded, since Morey traded the Rockets 2012 first rounder to NJ (T.Williams). The Rockets 2013 first rounder cannot be traded due the protection on the 2012 NY pick. Our 2012 & 2013 second rounders have been traded to Detroit (Budinger) and Atlanta (D.Andersen).

Q: I see that Terrence Williams is getting no playing time. Does this mean you'd be open to trading him for our scrubs?

A: No. Morey and Adelman are valuing players very differently. Morey is always looking to buy low, no matter if there's an opening in the rotation or not. Adelman on the other hand is all about being comfortable with his rotation and trusting his players, which is why Brooks, Lee and Budinger are ahead of Williams in the rotation. I'd argue that Morey would trade all three of them before trading Williams.

Q: I'm a Bulls fan. What about Courtney Lee for the Bobcats first rounder?

A: Rockets fan are split on Courtney Lee. Some would trade him for a late first rounder, some woudn't trade him for anything short of a lottery pick in a strong draft, which the upcoming certainly is not. The fact that Morey has been trying to get Lee since he entered the draft makes me think that the Rockets woudn't trade Lee for the Bobcats first rounder.

Q: So what about Omer Asik. I've read the Wiretap report.

A: Ya. Not sure what to make of that. The Realgm wiretap report differes from the orignal report by Feigan, who didn't actually report a deal centered around Lee and Asik. Bulls fans may not like a Lee-Asik swap, but I don't see how it helps the Rockets either, though I probably haven't seen enough of Asik to make that kind of judgment.

Q: I'm a Knicks fan. Are you interested in Wilson Chandler?

A: No. Chandler doesn't address a need and is due for a payday.

Q: What about a three way trade helping us (NY) get Melo?

A: Any trade involving the Rockets and Knicks seems unlikely. The last thing we want is the Knicks to get better, because it hurts the value of the 2012 first rounder.

Q: But you are interested in Anthony Randolph, aren't you? What about trading our '12 first rounder back to us.

A: The Rockets reportedly are indeed interested in Randolph, however it's also been reported that they won't trade back the NY pick for Randolph.

Q: I'm a Kings fan. Landry for Brooks?

A: I don't see it. Brooks sure has lost a lot of value, but so has Landry. Brooks will be a RFA, Landry an UFA. Why sell low on the guy you can match any offer for for a guy that you could just sign during the off-season? Furthermore we already have a bunch of PF's, including Patterson, who was sixth on our draft board. So unless we acquire Melo, trade Patterson and try to make some noise now, a Landry-Brooks swap doesn't seem to make much sense.

Q: So what do you want for Brooks?

A: I don't know. Probably some sort of draft pick.

EDIT: Ric Bucher: "Rockets aren't moving Brooks unless it's part of a deal that gets them the superstar/building block they're looking for." http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/36897

Q: So if Brooks were to be traded, would you want a PG in return?

A: Not necessarily. Unless there's a PG Morey has been targeting Ish Smith, Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams should do the job.

Q: I'm having fun with the trade machine. Can I throw in Chuck Hayes as a filler?

A: No. Chuck Hayes is arguably the MVP of this team. We don't want to trade him and he certainly is not a filler.

Q: What about Ish Smith?

A: Would rather not trade him, probably not a deal breaker though.

Q: Anything else?

A: The Rockets have 15 players under contract, meaning we can't receive more players than we send out. In fact we'd probably be happy to do a two or three for one type of trade and open up a roster spot, so we can sign an undersized D-League PF.

Feel free to add stuff, correct me or ask a question.

[mcat79]

Hasheem Thabeet and Mayo for Lee or Martin even?

[MaxRider]

everyone is on the block
Brooks - Morey is not looking to trade him, but if he's part of a star deal then it's possible
Lee - most people ask about, but unlikely

[x-]

Hasheem Thabeet and Mayo for Lee or Martin even?

For Martin, no.

There are cetainly quite a Rockets fan who'd do a Thabeet and Mayo for Lee deal. The value is certainly there, but I don't see Mayo fitting in with Martin already occupying 32min/game.

I'm not big on Thabeet personally and while the Rockets are looking for a center that can help them longterm, Thabeet seems a little too raw.

Memphis has gauged interest in Hasheem Thabeet, but the Rockets have sought more immediate help.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 20830.html

[zapatasblood]

Yeah Thabeet is a bust. No offensive skill set and still raw on defense. If there was someone to trade for on the Grizz then it would have to be Mark Gasol for the Rockets.

[Sasaki]

I would throw in one more thing on top of that list.

We are not trading Martin nor Scola for expirings/ not that good young talent. We're not interested in a total rebuild yet, and both players have been the two best Rockets. Morey also has been after Martin for a long time, and we're going to want something of value in exchange for either one.

Also, if I made valuing tiers:

Scola, Martin, Hayes
Battier, Patterson, Lowry, Lee
Budinger, Smith, Hill, Brooks, Miller
Jeffries

I have no idea how much the Rockets value both T-Will and Yao, nor does anyone, really. I do think that since we gave up what is probably a mid first rounder for T-Will, we wouldn't give him up for a late first rounder, but that's about it.

[Aaron Brooks]

"They will be extremely active," one person involved in talks said. "Daryl (Morey, the Rockets' general manager) is talking to a lot of teams. He feels a lot of pressure to make some changes."

Though Morey's primary goal is to land a centerpiece star, he would be happy to come away from the Feb. 24 trade deadline with a starting center.

Though the primary objective is to beat the long odds to land Anthony, Morey also has continued dialogue with Nuggets executive vice president Masai Ujuri in hopes to have a head start toward a deal for Nene, the Nuggets' center who like Anthony can opt out of his contract after the season.


Any deal with the Nuggets would center around second-year forward Jordan Hill, who has been on the edge of the Rockets rotation, a draft pick, and the potential cost-savings with a combination of expiring contracts of Yao, Shane Battier and Jared Jeffries.

Though several veteran centers might be available at the deadline — Morey could seek a deal for Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman or Samuel Dalembert — the Rockets are more likely to pursue a younger though less-proven talent.
Brooks likely staying put

There have been talks with Chicago about center Omer Asik, according to a person with knowledge of those conversations. The Bulls have been looking for a shooting guard and have inquired about Courtney Lee. Morey has been hesitant to part with Lee.

The Rockets also showed interest in Utah's Krylo Fesenko in the offseason, but the Jazz rarely make moves during the season.

The Rockets have not seemed inclined to move Aaron Brooks , despite his expiring contract and his one-game suspension this week for conduct detrimental to the team. Coach Rick Adelman said the Rockets are not interested in trading Brooks . New York, Sacramento, Minnesota, Portland and Memphis have shown interest in Brooks, but that did not lead to serious talks.

The Knicks have been willing to move Anthony Randolph and Memphis has gauged interest in Hasheem Thabeet, but the Rockets have sought more immediate help. Memphis' Marc Gasol will be a restricted free agent, but the Grizzlies have so far said they will keep him through the deadline.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 20830.html

[Aaron Brooks]

Great post x-

[wadero]

I dont know why everyone bashes Thabeet. We would be able to easliy acquire him and we aint winning a lot of games? So why not get him call Hakeem up and ask him to work with starting now thru the summer and then move forward with a guy if people remember had the following stats 13.6 PTS per game, 10.8 Reb per Game, and my favorite 4.2 Blks per game( and that was a 30 min average per game). That is what we need a guy to grab boards and block shots and my favorite not be the focus of the offense. Lets go get him instead of some no name center the Bulls are offering or and over the hill guy like Camby. We have to start to rebuild this team not bringing in pricey free agents. The next thing you know we will be like the Astros never rebuild with youth and instead signing guys to stupid deals that handy cap us.

[Sasaki]

I dont know why everyone bashes Thabeet. We would be able to easliy acquire him and we aint winning a lot of games? So why not get him call Hakeem up and ask him to work with starting now thru the summer and then move forward with a guy if people remember had the following stats 13.6 PTS per game, 10.8 Reb per Game, and my favorite 4.2 Blks per game( and that was a 30 min average per game). That is what we need a guy to grab boards and block shots and my favorite not be the focus of the offense. Lets go get him instead of some no name center the Bulls are offering or and over the hill guy like Camby. We have to start to rebuild this team not bringing in pricey free agents. The next thing you know we will be like the Astros never rebuild with youth and instead signing guys to stupid deals that handy cap us.

I have no clue where you got those stats, because those are not Thabeet's at all. Not even if you use per 36 or whatever ( which is completely irrelevant for Thabeet as he can't stay out that long without fouling out.)

[wadero]

Got them from here via ESPN UConn Page
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... erId=31559
08 09 season averages.

[Alex_De_Large]

Whats up about the Lee trade rumors, what a mess by Morey, Ariza for Asik...?

[Sasaki]

Got them from here via ESPN UConn Page
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr ... erId=31559
08 09 season averages.

Who gives a crap over what he did in college? Maybe we can sign Adam Morrison while we're at it. What's important is what's he done in the NBA, and he's done NOTHING. Even if you want to make the argument that he's raw, you will see signs here and there even for a raw player of "hey, this kid could be really good". There's been nothing like that. His stats overall suck, he won't stop fouling, and he's done nothing to impress anyone. I'm not giving anything up for that scrub.

[Air Durant35]

what would the Rockets give up to get Jeff Green????

[Guy986]

I admit i haven't watched alot of Bull games this year but how is Omer Asik better than Chuck or Miller? He's averaging under 3 points per game and just slightly over 3 rebounds. Their starting C is out and he is only getting like 10mpg. He appears to be a bum. Pass.

[x-]

Great post x-

Thanks.

what would the Rockets give up to get Jeff Green????

Not much probably. He's in the same camp as Wilson Chandler. Doesn't adress a need and is due for a payday. Don't see Morey particular interested.

Like I said it's 1.) getting a star 2.) getting a center 3.) save money.

[Guy986]

Morey needs to stop d***ing around and just get a real productive big black guy. Not Asik *****ing Omer.

If we get Asik Omer, he won't even be in the rotation.

[KiDdFrESh]

Excellent post & thread x- ! Nice work. I appreciate the time you put into it.

Although I'm very happy that Lowry has secured the starting job, I am certainly glad the Rockets haven't "dumped" Brooks. He can be used in a deal that nets us a star or an upgrade at the 5. I wouldn't mind keeping him either. I believe he can be a great 6th man and would fit in nicely next to Terrance Williams. AB just needs to put his ego in check and accept a 6th man role. Yeah he's the reigning MIP but he is the distributor nor defender that Lowry is. Suck it up Brooks.

As for T-Will, this guy has mad potential all he needs is a chance. I would trade Battier, Lee, & Bud before I move Williams.

And now for Yao. This is the stumper right here. Cause you see his situation is different from T-Mac. He is a cash cow. He makes money for the organization whether he plays or not. I just cannot seem him in another uniform. So idk what to think with him.

[Aaron Brooks]

Twill and Brooks would be a great pairing in theory, but what happens to CLee? I like him too

[pumpfakeforprez]

Guys, I live in Illinois and I know a lot about Asik. He's 7 foot, can block shots, and play great D. If you watch him as much as I have, you'd know he's exactly what this team needs. And to top it off, he's only 24.