PMOTT3 and Chuck Texas Early Off-Season Review: Houston Rockets

[bondom34]

Well Presti didn't HAVE to trade Harden true but he basically chose Ibaka over Harden. He didn't think it would be possible under OKC ownership to keep all 4 of them so he decided to get at least something of value in return. Presti lost Rashard Lewis in the first month of his GM career for a conditional second round pick so maybe he didn't want that to happen again.

Of course him re-signing Kanter now kinda puts that decision in question.

He didn't really "lose" Lewis, so much as he lost the privilege of paying him that contract (and no, that's not being cheap its being not crazy, dude wasn't worth 5/$95). And Kanter has nothing to do w/ Harden. That said, I agree with both of you on the other stuff. I think Presti was wanting to avoid the repeater tax, and Morey was in a spot to have assets to get Harden, both got what they set out for in some way.

Well the point about Lewis is he wasn't able to get anything of value in return for a former All Star. Whether he was willing to pay him what ORL did or not isn't the issue.

But again, you aren't using any context. He let Lewis get overpayed instead of giving too much money for a guy when he was starting a rebuild. He had just traded the other vets on the roster for Jeff Green and more.

Also, the "nothing" he got included the ability to take on a salary dump that landed 2 1st rounders, one of which became Ibaka. So essentially he traded overpaying Lewis to draft Ibaka.

But again, sorry to derail.

[texasholdem]

He didn't really "lose" Lewis, so much as he lost the privilege of paying him that contract (and no, that's not being cheap its being not crazy, dude wasn't worth 5/$95). And Kanter has nothing to do w/ Harden. That said, I agree with both of you on the other stuff. I think Presti was wanting to avoid the repeater tax, and Morey was in a spot to have assets to get Harden, both got what they set out for in some way.

Well the point about Lewis is he wasn't able to get anything of value in return for a former All Star. Whether he was willing to pay him what ORL did or not isn't the issue.

But again, you aren't using any context. He let Lewis get overpayed instead of giving too much money for a guy when he was starting a rebuild. He had just traded the other vets on the roster for Jeff Green and more.

Also, the "nothing" he got included the ability to take on a salary dump that landed 2 1st rounders, one of which became Ibaka. So essentially he traded overpaying Lewis to draft Ibaka.

But again, sorry to derail.

I guess you would know the narrative better than me but that just seems like it worked out well in hindsight and not something he really planned at the time.

[bondom34]

Well the point about Lewis is he wasn't able to get anything of value in return for a former All Star. Whether he was willing to pay him what ORL did or not isn't the issue.

But again, you aren't using any context. He let Lewis get overpayed instead of giving too much money for a guy when he was starting a rebuild. He had just traded the other vets on the roster for Jeff Green and more.

Also, the "nothing" he got included the ability to take on a salary dump that landed 2 1st rounders, one of which became Ibaka. So essentially he traded overpaying Lewis to draft Ibaka.

But again, sorry to derail.

I guess you would know the narrative better than me but that just seems like it worked out well in hindsight and not something he really planned at the time.

The Lewis deal? I don't know if "planned" is the exact word, but sorta. I think its similar to the Thad Young situation in Philly a year ago, where it was just a team and player in different directions.

[CBA]

Yeah, that may be the one thin spot on the roster, Jet would be a great return, though Lawson could likely play some 2 alongside Bev as well. There's a ton of possibilities for that bench right now, I actually feel like Smith may have been a slight loss for them which feels bizarre to say.

Thornton is enough to replace JET's on court contributions. Perhaps they signed Chuck Hayes to get that sort of "veteran leadership" off the court.

[texasholdem]

But again, you aren't using any context. He let Lewis get overpayed instead of giving too much money for a guy when he was starting a rebuild. He had just traded the other vets on the roster for Jeff Green and more.

Also, the "nothing" he got included the ability to take on a salary dump that landed 2 1st rounders, one of which became Ibaka. So essentially he traded overpaying Lewis to draft Ibaka.

But again, sorry to derail.

I guess you would know the narrative better than me but that just seems like it worked out well in hindsight and not something he really planned at the time.

The Lewis deal? I don't know if "planned" is the exact word, but sorta. I think its similar to the Thad Young situation in Philly a year ago, where it was just a team and player in different directions.

But at least Philly got a top 10 protected first rounder for Young.

[Mr. E]

Yeah, that may be the one thin spot on the roster, Jet would be a great return, though Lawson could likely play some 2 alongside Bev as well. There's a ton of possibilities for that bench right now, I actually feel like Smith may have been a slight loss for them which feels bizarre to say.

Jet seemed to be a stabilizing factor that the team last year really needed. My ideal scenario would be to bring him back for as long as he wants to play and then transition him into a coaching role with the Vipers and eventually the Rockets.

Part of me still can't believe that I'm talking about Jason Terry like this.

[bondom34]

I guess you would know the narrative better than me but that just seems like it worked out well in hindsight and not something he really planned at the time.

The Lewis deal? I don't know if "planned" is the exact word, but sorta. I think its similar to the Thad Young situation in Philly a year ago, where it was just a team and player in different directions.

But at least Philly got a top 10 protected first rounder for Young.

But they didn't get a TPE, which Presti used to take on a contract that got 2 firsts, one of which became Serge.

[Mr. E]

I also want to point out that Houston signed undrafted rookie, Christian Wood. He's on a partially guaranteed deal and looks to be either a long-term project or simply another asset if Houston tries to make another move before the season begins.

[Texas Chuck]

Respect to all, but the Harden/Rockets/Thunder conversation has been discussed quite often, so I'm going to steer this back to this current offseason for the the Rockets which has nothing to do with the Thunder (yet).

Yeah--let's leave the Thunder's moves from years ago out of this please.

And thanks for the mention of Wood. This was a guy who considered a late 1st prospect for a long time so potentially this could be a nice get.

[texasholdem]

I also want to point out that Houston signed undrafted rookie, Christian Wood. He's on a partially guaranteed deal and looks to be either a long-term project or simply another asset if Houston tries to make another move before the season begins.

Rockets have one open roster spot remaining, I don't know if Wood would be the best use of that spot rather than a 6th guard. Hell McDaniels isn't even really one. Need another ball handler.

C: Howard, Capella, Hayes
PF: Motiejunas, Jones, Harrell
SF: Ariza, Brewer, Dekker
PG: Lawson, Beverley
SG: Harden, Thornton, McDaniels

[basketballwacko2]

so uhm..bump much? c'mon guys.

Ok, good draft, Decker and Harrell should help them. Addition by subtraction in letting Josh Smith go although he wasn't all that bad for them for the money. Question mark is Lawson he's sloppy with the ball and plays no D, well no quality D. That said he'll take the ball out of Harden's hands so he should make fewer turnovers, maybe a net positive. Ty is a disaster they can look to move him at the all star break.

Grade B+ 56-26 plus/minus 3 games.

[Mr. E]

The Jason Terry re-signing improves an already solid off-season for Houston.

Very happy to have Terry back!

[Gomagic44]

I don't like the rockets. Given that, great offseason. They should be legit contenders this year.


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[Andre Roberstan]

Extremely solid offseason. I think J Smoove leaving will hurt a bit, but they're good enough across the board to do well. Definitely a top team in the West.

T Jones is going to have to step up, and Lawson is going to have to get his head straight. But if those two things happen they're definitely top-tier contenders for the title. One thing they lacked last year was a good secondary off-the-bounce creator—Lawson gives them that.

[Xman]

I think the Rox did well.
Not sure if Josh Smith is a loss or not. His play in the Dallas series had me excited about him and Howard being the dunk brothers inside. But, I think the Golden State series shows the real problem with Smith.
Game 1: 6/16 17 points - close loss
Game 2: 5/17 10 points - close loss
Game 3: 6/14 16 points - blowout loss
Game 4: 7/8 20 points - blowout win
Game 5: 3/14 11 points - loss - - Smith was the only Rocket that had more attempts than points.

As I watched that series, it just seemed that he would waste possessions. The rest of the team was fairly efficient (Harden had a couple of bad games - as did a few others). But, Smith was consistently wasting possessions.
Then, you look at Game 4, and the Dallas series, and think you want that guy.
Then, as Detroit found out, the guy that shows up most if the Game 5 guy.

True, if the Rox had a healthy Motie and could have benched him then it might have been different. And, part of me would like him for some matchups. But, overall, I am not that worried about him leaving.

[Texas Chuck]

True, if the Rox had a healthy Motie and could have benched him then it might have been different. And, part of me would like him for some matchups. But, overall, I am not that worried about him leaving.

This sums it up pretty well for me too. I think he would be nice to have, but if you keep Motiejunas and Jones healthy for most of the year you will be fine.

JET coming back is nice too. Especially since ideally he's a fringe rotation guy instead of a starter as he ended up at the end of the year. Can never have too many shooters especially one with all the big game experience JET has.

I kinda expected Morey to push hard to add another big piece, but I think his decision to bring the core back and add Lawson might well end up the better decision. Plus he still has flexibility if that player becomes available between now and the deadline.

[inquisitive]

This Harrell kid is looking to be another Kenneth Faried or possibly better...shoulda been a 1st rounder. I think Dekker will be a better version of Chandler Parsons sooner than later.

[Texas Chuck]

This Harrell kid is looking to be another Kenneth Faried or possibly better...shoulda been a 1st rounder. I think Dekker will be a better version of Chandler Parsons sooner than later.

has Dekker really looked that good? Hadn't been paying any attention to Rockets pre-season, but that's some pretty high praise considering how solid Parsons was to start his career.

Glad to hear Harrell is looking good. I wanted Dallas to draft him at 21 so I definitely thought at the time you guys got a steal.

[Mr. E]

From what I've seen in the preseason I've been most impressed by how well Clint Capela is continuing to develop. He's going to help keep Dwight's minutes down.

Harrell is looking good, but I still need to see more. Same with Dekker. I do think that both will spend some time with the Vipers just so that they can get solid minutes playing. Guys like this will really benefit from the changes the NBA made with the D-League last year in terms of moving players between rosters.

Still not sure who fills the final roster spot. Right now I'm thinking Joshua Smith, but they did just claim Kazemi off of waivers. There may be another move to come in the next few weeks.

[HartfordWhalers]

I also want to point out that Houston signed undrafted rookie, Christian Wood. He's on a partially guaranteed deal and looks to be either a long-term project or simply another asset if Houston tries to make another move before the season begins.

Still not sure who fills the final roster spot. Right now I'm thinking Joshua Smith, but they did just claim Kazemi off of waivers. There may be another move to come in the next few weeks.

Given the Morey-Hinkie relationship, the fact that Morey claimed Hinkie's pick of Kazemi (off a camp deal with Atlanta no less), and Philly somehow ended up with Wood was an interesting offseason twist.

Wood supposedly only got 50k guaranteed and signed the 4 year minimum deal, so it wasn't like Philly paid over the top for him. Meanwhile Kazemi is fully unguaranteed and yet getting claimed.

I think at this point Wood has played himself into Philly's roster, and man I love the pickup, but Kazemi is going to be great if he gets some run. Pretty sure Kazemi formally led the (Orlando?) summer league in hustle points.