The Houston Rockets have their sights set on Orlando Magic All-Star center Dwight Howard. (GETTY IMAGES)
Many people around the NBA have to be wondering what the Houston Rockets are doing. This is a team that just barely missed out on making the playoffs in the final weeks of the season. But, they seem intent on blowing it up and starting over.
They have traded Kyle Lowry (understandable since he said he didn’t want to be there) for a first-round draft pick, but then they basically let Goran Dragic walk to Phoenix when they tendered him an offer. They gave Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin crazy back-loaded deals that pay them way too much in the third years: $15 million for Asik, and $14 million for Lin. They used the amnesty clause on Luis Scola, who has been a pretty solid and underrated power forward the last three seasons.
Now, the reason for all this is the possible acquisition of Dwight Howard. But he would benefit from having a legit PF next to to him – if Houston were to actually get him. And if they do, it’s basically a rental situation. Howard has not said he would sign an extension or that he wants to play for the Rockets.
The Rockets could have used the amnesty on injury-prone Kevin Martin, who rarely suits up. Scola has several years left on his deal and Martin has just a year left and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
But let’s say the Rockets get Howard and Lin (if the Knicks don’t match). They have a Big 3 of Howard, Martin and Lin? Sure, they have an excellent center in Howard, but they have a shooting guard who has averaged 59 games in his eight-year career and a point guard in Lin who showed flashes but is still a work in progress. That’s not going to strike fear in any team, in my opinion, and they won’t be instant playoff contenders (more likely fighting for the 6-8 spots in the Western Conference.
And if they don’t get Howard? They are a lottery team. But, they would have traded their first-round picks (the offer is four first-rounders) and some nice young talent such as Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones.
If the Howard deal falls apart (and this is a strong possibility), the entire Rockets front office should be cleaned out. This is too big of a gamble to just stink it up for the next 2-3 years and be an expansion-type team. People will need to be held accountable. Michael Jordan had a borderline playoff team in Charlotte with Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson when he traded them both and decided to get draft picks.
Basically, robbing the fans of their hard earned money.
Darren Jacks is a regular contributor to OneManFastBreak.net. Send him an email at djroxalot@hotmail.com.
DJ…………One of your best so far…….
Thanks, Mick. I think my best was the Sessions or Kobe closer story.
Nice Job Darren
Good article but it’s a bit short sighted. Yes the Rockets are going all in for Dwight but as far as amnestying Scola, it’s the smarter business move over letting go Martin. Martin has one year left on his deal. Scola has three. Martin’s one year is an easier trade chip, and even if he isn’t dealt you have the cap space at the end of the year for next season’s free agency.
As far as the Rockets being expansion team in 2-3 years if they don’t get Dwight? Isn’t it a little too early to tell? The Rockets have five drafted players in two years, and a lot of cheap contracts that can be flipped for anyone. Morey by blowing his team up has given them flexibility. If he doesn’t get Dwight, he can easily flip some guys for a Plan B or if necessary a Plan C.
Plus if the Rockets don’t get Dwight, then Andrew Bynum would not be a bad consolation prize. We’re both Lakers fans. The Magic and Lakers are not going to do a Bynum for Howard deal straight up. Teams like Houston with cap space, draft picks, and cheap assets are necessary to make the big deals that we like to see happen, occur in today’s NBA.
good reading DJ…. but didnt Riley take a similair gamble in Miami a couple of years ago???
I understand EJ and we can agree to disagree.
Great points btw, EJ.
Great article and I second the opinion that Houston has to get Howard (or Bynum in a 3 way) in order for this all to make sense. In fact, if I were Jeremy Lin’s agent, I would have waited to see what happens with that situation before signing up for Houston because they can potentially be horrible if they don’t get Howard.
Riles got 2 really good players in James and Bosh to come to Miami, Drew. Not the same thing going on in Houston.
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