2011 NBA Offseason: 8 Solutions for the Houston Rockets

Despite the current lockout, the offseason brings thoughts of hope and encouragement to every team that fell short the season before.

Can the Houston Rockets make a move to excite the hometown fans?

Can they find a center to replace Yao Ming?

Can they get to the playoffs next year?

The answers will come in time, but it sure is fun to speculate. Here are a few solutions the Rockets might be working on behind the scenes.

Dwight Howard

Could the Orlando Magic follow Denver's trend and trade Dwight Howard prior to hitting the free-agent market in 2012?

If so, then that's their No. 1 option.

Strengths:

• Best low post defender in the NBA
• Improving offensive game
• Minimal injury history
• One of very few superstar centers

Weaknesses:

• None (he would be an upgrade in nearly every category at the center position)

Cost:

Kevin Martin and their choice of three or four other players on the Rockets roster. It could be even higher.

Analysis:

Not likely, but commit at any cost. Players like Dwight Howard don't come around very often and there is enough talent on Houston's roster to fill the needs left by departing players.

2010-2011: 22.9 PPG/14.1 RPG/2.4 BPG

Career: 18.2 PPG/12.9 RPG/2.2 BPG in seven seasons 

Danny Granger

If the Rockets can't nab Howard, then the attention should be directed at finding a potential superstar that can be a go-to scorer late in games.

Danny Granger could be that guy:

Pros:

• Scores from all over the floor
• Good size to sure up small forward position
• He's a closer

Cons:

• Settles for long jumpers at times
• High cost possibility in trade market
• Indiana might be unwilling to move him

Cost:

This trade would also likely cost Kevin Martin or Kyle Lowry and a few young rotation players with upside.

Analysis:

Trading for Danny Granger would be huge to adding top-notch talent to the Rockets, but only for the right price. Kevin Martin is more efficient and Kyle Lowry brings invaluable toughness. He is definitely not worth both—it is debatable if he is worth one—and several young studs.

2010-2011: 20.5 PPG/5.4 RPG/2.6 APG

Career: 18.2 PPG/5.3 RPG/2.1 APG in six seasons

Josh Smith

Josh Smith's name has been thrown around as a possible trade option for a few teams. He has worn out his welcome in Atlanta and has shown interest in becoming a Rocket.

Should the Rockets trade for Josh Smith?

Pros:

• Excellent defender at multiple positions
• Active rebounder
• Would improve athleticism on the front line
• Excellent weak side shot blocker and help defender
• Improving offensive skills

Cons:

• Struggles with consistency from outside
• Rockets are stacked at the power forward position
• Not a true superstar

Cost:

Hawks would want Kevin Martin or Kyle Lowry in addition to their choice of Patrick Patterson, Luis Scola and other youngsters on the Rockets roster.

Analysis:

Josh Smith would be a great addition to the Rockets for defensive purposes. He just might be the most versatile defender in the game and fills many of Houston's glaring weaknesses. Josh is an interesting trade option.

He is worth the risk, if the Rockets manage to only give up one of their top players with other role players. They could use draft picks Marcus Morris, Donatas Motiejunas or other young wild-cards such as Chase Budinger, Johnny Flynn or Courtney Lee to sweeten the deal.

I believe he is worth the risk (or price) because of the defensive impact he can make, but I doubt Daryl Morey will blow up the team for a player like Josh Smith.

2010-2011: 16.5 PPG/8.5 RPG/1.6 BPG

Career: 14.6 PPG/7.7 RPG/2.2 BPG

Nene

Now that the game changers are out of the way, what are some more realistic, cost-effective changes that could make a big difference?

The Rockets should reinvest interest in Nene:

Pros:

• Super efficient scorer in the post
• Upgrade at center defensively, while not exactly Dikembe Mutumbo
• Blue-collar player that could easily fit in with Rockets team chemistry

Cons:

• Not great defensively, just average
• Could be very expensive if teams get desperate in free-agent market

Cost:

He is a free agent, so there wouldn't be a direct loss of talent. Daryl Morey would likely move players on smaller deals to work out the cap space to accommodate the large salary that Nene will receive this offseason.

Analysis:

Aside from Dwight Howard, Nene makes the most sense so far.

He is perfect for the blue-collar style of basketball that the Rockets have grown accustomed to playing. He will provide a huge impact for an undersized Rockets team on the low block on both sides of the ball, whereas many guys will only help offensively or defensively.

I think you make a move on Nene if and when the NBA lockout ends.

2010-2011: 14.5 PPG/7.6 RPG/1.0 BPG

Career: 12.3 PPG/6.9 RPG/0.9 BPG in nine seasons

Tyson Chandler

Fresh off a championship and on top of the world, Tyson Chandler couldn't have predicted a better way to splash into the free-agent market.

Should NBA general managers expect Chandler to build on his most complete season yet?

Pros:

• Impact defensive center
• Intimidating shot blocker with long reach

Cons:

• Will he be motivated?
• Likely to be overpaid as a top-tier free agent
• Some injury concerns

Cost:

Like Nene, he wouldn't cause a direct loss of talent, but would likely force Morey to make small deals to make the money work.

Analysis:

I like Chandler—for the right price. The Mavs will probably be willing to pay him big bucks, which is not in the best interest of other teams courting him. He could provide immediate defensive intensity, but is a little or non upgrade at center on the offensive side of the ball.

2010-2011: 10.1 PPG/9.4 RPG/1.1 BPG

Career: 8.3 PPG/8.8 RPG/1.3 BPG in 10 seasons

Andrew Bogut

Andrew Bogut was on pace to have his best year in the NBA until a right elbow injury sidelined him. He still reached career highs in rebounds per game and blocked shots per game. He led the NBA in BPG last year, which probably surprised a few fans.

Replace a No. 1 overall with another No. 1 overall. Should the Rockets trade for Andrew Bogut (2005 No. 1 pick) to fill Yao Ming's giant shoes?

Pros:

• One of the most well-rounded centers in the league
• Only 26 years old, with six years of experience
• Significant upgrade on both sides of the ball

Cons:

• Injury concerns
• May not be available, except for inflated rate
• Horrible free-throw shooter

Cost:

It is more speculation than anything, but I would expect Milwaukee to want Kevin Martin and a choice of a few bigs to help fill the void of losing Bogut.

Analysis:

I think adding Andrew Bogut could bode very well for the Rockets. Despite injury issues, he is a rare center with all of the skills. 

It might be hard for Daryl Morey and Kevin McHale to explain adding an oft-injured center to the roster with Houston's history of injuries, but I believe his acquisition would pay big dividends. Big enough to forget about Yao Ming's career-ending foot problems.

2010-2011: 12.8 PPG/11.1 RPG/2.6 BPG

Career: 12.7 PPG/9.4 RPG/1.6 BPG in six seasons

Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol spent this past year (playoffs included) proving to NBA fans that the 2008 trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzles centered around his brother, Pau Gasol, wasn't one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history.

Can Marc Gasol continue his rise as one of the league's top young centers?

Pros:

• Very big (7'1'', 265 lbs.)
• Very tough in post
• Solid shooting touch
• Stepped up game in playoffs

Cons:

• Somewhat risky signing due to inexperience and expected cost
• Memphis will make a strong push to re-sign

Cost:

Like others mentioned, Marc Gasol is a free agent and will require some small deals to make room on the roster. He should be one of the more desirable guys on the market this year, which could lead to an overly-anxious deal by a team looking to contend.

Analysis:

I love the thought of adding Marc Gasol to the Houston Rockets. He is tough, skilled and young. What more could you ask for a starting center in the Western Conference? Expect to hear some noise about Marc Gasol once the lockout clears.

2010-2011: 11.7 PPG/7.0 RPG/1.7 BPG

Career: 12.6 PPG/7.8 RPG/1.4 BPG

If All Else Fails, Stay the Course

As much as every Rockets fan would love to see a big splash, the best plan is to stick to the plan.

Daryl Morey has done an excellent job of running the Houston Rockets as a business and I don't expect him to get hasty now. He will explore all of the options (as he always does for drafts and free-agency periods) and make calculated decisions. 

You have to be bold to win a championship, but boldness for the sake of boldness is how you hang out at the bottom of your division. Bad contracts kill contenders and I prefer to have a bright future, rather than sell out for a chance to compete with the league's best next year.

With that being said, what can he do with the current roster to improve the team?

Develop Hasheem Thabeet

Hasheem Thabeet has one incredible skill—size. That cannot not be taught, but the rest can be earned. Fortunately, Hakeem Olajuwon has shown that he can improve players (Yao Ming and Kobe Bryant) by teaching the footwork that made him a legendary center. 

I'm not saying that Thabeet will be a star, but with the help of Hakeem and Kevin McHale, he could become a serviceable NBA post defender.

Wait

Morey could be ahead of the learning curve if he waits and pursues deals at the trade deadline, when teams will have fallen out of contention and players become available. Sometimes no move is the right move.

The Houston Rockets 2011 offseason will be a crucial part of the team's future, but it is very important to stick to the plan and not make any long-term mistakes for short-term success. "In Morey, We Trust."