Houston Rockets: In Daryl Morey We Trust, but Let's Keep Team Intact

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is a genius.

And I absolutely trust him; but I also have concerns as Houston enters a pivotal stretch during this free agency chaos.

Forget about trying to land the big names like Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, or LeBron James.

Let’s focus on the current Rockets roster, and a few little moves that can be made to help improve an already highly competitive team.

My biggest concern in this off-season madness is reports that Houston is willing to part ways with the likes of Luis Scola and Shane Battier in order to get a supposed super star like Stoudemire.

My question is: Is it worth giving up those two to get that one?

Personally, I really don’t think it is.

Scola is a stud, and he helped the Rockets to numerous victories last season. Battier, meanwhile, is the backbone of this team (as I’ve said time and time again)—and you can’t put a price tag on what he brings to the locker room and the hardwood.

But I also have faith in Morey and the moves he makes.

Morey’s the one responsible for Houston having guys such as Battier, Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, and Kyle Lowry. Trust me when I say there are more to come.

And if he thinks a guy like Bosh or Stoudemire are worth the price of losing Scola and Battier, I’ll try my best to remain faithful that Morey knows what is best for this team.

However, I don’t foresee either Scola or Battier leaving Houston next season—because I also don’t think the Rockets will be one of the teams signing Stoudemire.

That’s not a knock against Morey by any means, though.

He’s the best damn GM in the NBA, and I have no doubt that he WILL make a few solid moves this offseason to improve Houston’s basketball team.

But the Rockets are already on the edge of being contenders.

And they took the LA Lakers to seven games in 2009.

Once a healthy Yao Ming returns to the hardwood, and teams up with on-the-rise stars like Chase Budinger and Chuck Hayes, plus incoming rookie Patrick Patterson—along with proven stars like Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Scola, and Battier—Houston will once again be contenders.

Don’t believe me?

Just wait until next season, and you’re going to see a Rockets basketball team intent on bringing home a title to Houston.

In Morey we trust…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]

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