Rockets are heavily involved in trade talks
The Houston Rockets are reportedly circling the wagons by attempting to make a trade.
Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola are being shopped in a deal to obtain Pau Gasol according to reports. This deal is feasible because the Rockets had interest in garnering Gasol before the season began and actually succeeded.
Thanks to the invisible hand of the NBA Gasol is still playing Los Angeles. The current reincarnation of this deal has some fans believing that the Rockets are giving up too much in this deal.
In my opinion this stems from the perceived softness of Gasol. Other Rocket fans have began over valuing the players that they faithfully watch everyday.
Many view Gasol as a finesse player, and rightfully so. He takes charges and does not bully individuals in the paint with brute force the way that Shaq did.
But this does not take away from his talent. Gasol is the most skilled big man in the league. He can finish with either hand, hit a mid range jumper consistently, defend the power forward position great, block shots, display a clever array of post moves, pass the ball effectively, etc etc.
People forget that Gasol led Memphis to 50 wins and back to back playoff births during his tenure there.
Many would argue that at Gasol’s age (31) he’s on the down turn of his career while Lowry is still getting better as a player.
This is true. But this team, as currently constructed, is what it is. A team built around Lowry, Scola and Kevin Martin will yield minimal results. The Rockets would be a perennial eight seed contender.
That is not what fans want.
I would take the years with the possibility of greatness over 10 years of continued mediocrity.
Lowry is a borderline all-star but he is replaceable. So is Scola. That’s why, if this deal presents itself Morey must take it.
Kevin Martin is possibly unhappy in Houston. He has seen a dip in production and minutes this year. It may be because he fits better in Rick Adleman’s offensive or it could be because the trade talk surrounding him or perhaps the Rockets unwillingness to extend his contract (the Aaron Brooks treatment) this season is causing the downturn.
Whatever the reason, this marriage seems headed for divorce.
A team like the Minnesota Timberwolves would benefit from a player like Martin. The T-wolves desperately need perimeter scoring and Martin could easily fulfill this need.
The T-wolves also fit the type of system that Martin likes to play in. His twice removed coach, Rick Adleman, is the coach in Minnesota.
He would be a perfect fit for their team.
If Minnesota offers Houston a compelling package, Morey should take the deal with no qualms.
I have never been a believer of Martin’s intrinsic value. He does not commit himself on the defensive end. And for me, this is a deal breaker.
Kevin Durant is not a great defender, but he competes and gives immense effort. If Martin brought that effort to the defensive end he could be a much better player.
It is not sound fiscally to invest in one way players. No matter how proficient they are on their dominant end.
No one should have ever paid Ben Wallace or Charles Oakley big bucks in their heyday, the same logic should be applied to Martin.
I am sure that talk of trading the team’s best three players has become somewhat of a distraction. But these guys are professionals. They are big boys.
In both cases, though the benefits outweigh the costs.
There is pressure coming from the owners over lackluster ticket sales because the team is lacking a big draw.
At least fans can be assured that if the there is not an all-star in a Rockets uniform, it will not be for lack of effort. Darrell Morey has and will continue to dangle the teams assets in order to improve the team as he sees fit.
As he should. It is his job to make this team better. He is tasked with returning the Rockets to title contention.
Can he accomplish this?
The jury is still out.
The rockets fans are craving something new.
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