Houston Rockets Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons They Should Unload Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks, last year's Most Improved Player, got injured during the fifth game of the NBA season against the San Antonio Spurs. Manu pulled a jackass move by cutting under him while he was shooting a halfcourt shot. But no matter how it happened, it happened and Aaron hasn't been the same since. 

He's been

• unproductive
• inefficient
• and just an awful shot selection

Defense

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets during their opening night game at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User

I'll just put it bluntly, Aaron Brooks sucks at defense. His barely 6'0", 161-pound stature really explains a lot of it. He is small and sometimes just doesn't put the effort into stopping the other team from scoring. Houston's defense was bad enough with him gone with his injury, so you can only imagine how bad it is once Brooks was stuffed back in the rotation.

Brooks lets point guards walk all over him on a nightly basis, unable to even bother guys like Chris Paul and Derrick Rose. Notice a lot of guys have career highs against Houston and although you can't blame it all on Brooks, he certainly hasn't been helping a whole lot.

Steals per game: .7

Blocks per game: .1

Defensive rebounds per game: 1.2

Shot Selection

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - DECEMBER 29: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket past James Jones #22 of the Miami Heat at Toyota Center on December 29, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Remember when I was talking about those 20 points per game on the first slide, well that's not exactly happening right now and his percentages are suffering mightily because of his shot selection. Brooks repeatedly takes contested and pull-up threes that you just know aren't going in once you see him release it. Although he didn't have the greatest shot selection last year either, at least it wasn't this bad. 

Brooks is trying to earn his extension. Shooting 37 percent from the field and 30 percent from three isn't earning you that, especially with the new CBA coming up. Brooks either needs to step up his game or expect to get a whole lot less money this offseason. The Rockets desperately need him as a go-to scorer and so far he hasn't show he can handle that.

Trade Value

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Boston Celtics on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rockets defeated the Celtics 108-102. NOTE T

OK, Brooks' trade value isn't as high as it was at the beginning of the season, that's for sure. But it's only going to get lower. Brooks could be used in a trade for a superstar—as in Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony or anyone on the market. Rebuilding teams could use him as he is on an expiring contract and likely won't sign back for very much money. He would be the perfect replacement to a team losing a star as he could handle some of the scoring load.

Brooks alone could fetch a high first-round pick or an established starter in the league, something Houston could use. But in my opinion Brooks is one of the first guys on GM Daryl Morey's list of guys to trade.

Point Guard Depth

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Houston Rockets in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 20, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or usin

The once-backup, now starting, point guard in Kyle Lowry is as good, if not better, than Aaron Brooks. An above average defender and hustler, Lowry can drive to the rack, dish off a dime or even knock down the long ball. 

Behind Lowry is the rookie Ishmael Smith who has had a fairly successful rookie campaign so far. He was undrafted and was a great find out of Wake Forest. Although he cannot shoot very well, he has good ball-handling skill and he is a great passer.

After those two guys Courtney Lee is also capable of playing the point and so is Terrence Williams. 

As you can see, Houston would have no problem at the point guard position if Brooks were to be dealt.

Attitude

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Head coach Rick Adelman of the Houston Rockets talks with Aaron Brooks #0 as Shane Battier #31,Kyle Lowry #7 and Luis Scola #4 stand by during a time out in the final seconds of the game against the Boston Celtics on January 10,

Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that Brooks was unhappy with being the backup point guard, and I guess you could understand why. But when your playing like crap, do you really expect to be moved into a starter's role to replace a point guard playing very well?

Brooks' attitude certainly has not been helping his play and every time he touches the ball I get scared something bad is going to happen. I probably speak for a lot of Rockets' fans when I say that.

Last year Brooks and Trevor Ariza had some beef and that's part of the reason Ariza was traded. It's apparent Brooks has had a history of these attitude issues and I would expect more to arise in his career.

Conclusion

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CHICAGO - MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Adelman of the Houston Rockets reacts to a play during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 22, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Rockets 98-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Sure seems like Rick has had that look on his face a whole lot this year. 

Well guys, thanks for reading, hope it was a pleasant experience.

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