Houston Rockets NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Deadline Moves To Make a Playoff Push
Sitting a full five games out of the playoffs in the uber-competitive Western Conference, the Houston Rockets' outlook for the season looks bleak. They have some nice pieces, but they have struggled to get any traction because of the lack of a big center or a closer capable of scoring late.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Rockets surely will attempt to make a trade, whether it is to add significant players or to rebuild through the draft and subtract. Right now, all indications are that the Rockets are going to employ the former.
Connected to everyone from Carmelo Anthony to Gerald Wallace, the Rockets are clearly active in their pursuit of another quality player to help the Rockets reach the playoffs. Only time will tell whether it is enough, but it is clear that the team on the court tomorrow night will likely be a completely different team from the one suiting up next Saturday night.
Without further ado, here are 10 moves the Rockets can make to start a late-season playoff push.
Snagging Gerald Wallace and Nazr Mohammed from the Bobcats
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Houston Rockets Receive: Gerald Wallace, Nazr Mohammed
Charlotte Bobcats Receive: Yao Ming, Aaron Brooks
The Rockets and Bobcats have been linked repeatedly ever since Yao Ming went down with a season-ending injury because of the tremendous potential savings involved in a trade involving Yao and the Bobcats' need for financial relief. If the Rockets are serious about going for the playoffs, they have to at least consider going after Gerald Wallace.
While the Bobcats are sticking around the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference and have knocked off a number of top teams in recent weeks, their financial situation is so dire that they are looking to save money in any way possible. They would love to move Stephen Jackson and his onerous contract, but given the league-wide push to shed salary, they are unlikely to be able to move him.
Logically, they would likely look to move Gerald Wallace. With over $10 million due to him, the Bobcats would do well to get him off their payroll going into a collective bargaining agreement. For the Rockets, he would be a perfect fit. Additionally, by attaching Nazr Mohammed to the deal (mostly for monetary purposes), the Rockets could add depth to a center position that has struggled this year.
For just the cost of Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks, the Rockets could potentially beef up the small forward and center positions that need some extra help. Mohammed is a solid offensive center who can rebound and defend a little bit; however, Wallace would be the prize. A tremendous rebounder and defender, Wallace would give the Rockets a top-tier small forward who can lock down the best scorers in the league.
Potentially shoring up some major weaknesses, the Rockets would have to think about this deal, especially given the low cost.
Acquiring Nene from Denver
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Houston Rockets Receive: Nene, Al Harrington, Anthony Carter
Denver Nuggets Receive: Chase Budinger, Aaron Brooks, Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries
Lost in the shuffle that is the Carmelo Anthony talks has been Nene's reported unhappiness with the team's direction, especially in this trading season. With the Nuggets possibly looking to rebuild if they trade Carmelo Anthony, Nene could be very available right before the trade deadline.
If he were, he'd be a stellar fit. While he does not block shots at the rate of other star centers, Nene is a solid defender who is tremendously quick on his feet. He runs the floor well, can score a little in the post, and shoots at a tremendously high percentage (64 percent), good for tops in the league.
While taking on Al Harrington's contract by using the trade exception generated by the Trevor Ariza deal would be a tough pill to swallow, adding a potential All-Star center would be huge for the Rockets.
Jeffries and Carter are merely in the deal for monetary reasons.
The only caveat to the deal is that Nene could potentially opt out of his deal like Carmelo Anthony. Given Nene's willingness to leave Denver, the Rockets would have to secure an extension with Nene or risk giving up lots of assets for little to nothing of any value.
Getting Andre Iguodala from the Sixers
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Houston Rockets Receive: Andre Iguodala, Jason Kapono
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Yao Ming, Chase Budinger, protected 2011 first-round pick
Andre Iguodala has been connected to the Rockets for what seems like forever. While he's still young, the number of times that he has been targeted by Houston is very high. To be honest, what's not to love about Andre Iguodala?
He's a fantastic finisher, a good rebounder for his position, a good defender with incredible athletic gifts and a good passer. He's barely 27 and plays his hardest on every play. The only problem is his shooting. Despite being a very mediocre shooter, Iguodala feels compelled to jack up jumpers when he would be better off going to the rim.
Because of his somewhat toxic contract, he could be available from the 76ers, who could plug Evan Turner (who has struggled, but has a strong future) into Iguodala's role. While they are knocking on the door in the Eastern Conference, the opportunity to get out from underneath his contract might be an offer too sweet to pass up.
For the Rockets, the addition of another borderline All-Star would be huge. He would take some of the ball-handling responsibilities off others, add another top-notch defender and provide a clutch-time option capable of going to the rim and scoring at will. It would be an expensive deal, but it would undoubtedly improve the Rockets now.
Getting Andray Blatche from Washington
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Houston Rockets Receive: Andray Blatche
Washington Wizards Receive: Chase Budinger
Andray Blatche has been the exact opposite of the kind of player the Rockets generally target. He's selfish, he is troubled off the court and he has a low basketball IQ. However, he may be exactly what the Rockets need.
With a tremendously skilled offensive game, Blatche flashes a number of post moves, step-back jumpers and turnarounds that befuddle a defense when his shot is falling. His efficiency has been less than stellar this year, but he's an all-around good player who could become like Zach Randolph in time (he likely will never be the same kind of rebounder that Randolph is).
For the Wizards, getting rid of Blatche would help to alleviate some of the stress in the locker room. JaVale McGee and Blatche are a temperamental duo and allowing each of them a break from the other could be a good thing. Additionally, getting Budinger, a solid wing scorer who has flashed tremendous potential, would be a nice sweetener to the deal.
Getting Blatche may not be ideal, but he could start at center and be an immediate upgrade over Chuck Hayes because of his length.
Trading for Andris Biedrins
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Houston Rockets Receive: Andris Biedrins, Vladimir Radmanovic
Golden State Warriors Receive: Yao Ming
Yet another center, Andris Biedrins would obviously fill a need for the size-starved Rockets. However, while this deal adds size, it is particularly interesting in another way because of the Warriors' extreme interest in Yao Ming.
Last year, as the Rockets worked like mad men to trade Tracy McGrady, there was only one team who was interested in McGrady for more than just his contract—the Knicks. Because of the Knicks' interest in McGrady the player, the Rockets were able to work out a better deal for themselves.
This deal could work much the same way. Eager to strengthen the already strong Asian-American connection in the Bay Area, the Warriors believe that Yao Ming could be the missing piece to help the team become extremely profitable. For that reason, the Rockets might like to deal with the Warriors.
Adding Biedrins, a solid finisher near the rim and tremendous rebounder, would be a huge boost to the Rockets. His contract is large, but he is a very good fit for a team desperate for some shot-blocking help.
Adding Chris Kaman from the Los Angeles Clippers
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Houston Rockets Receive: Chris Kaman, Willie Warren
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Jared Jeffries, Brad Miller, Aaron Brooks
The Rockets are in dire need of a center and Chris Kaman joins the other centers on this list as a potentially available center. While he has been dealing with injury issues this year, what Kaman brings to the table when healthy is something the Rockets desperately lack—post scoring from a seven-footer.
With tremendous ambidextrous skills in the post, Kaman can beat defenders with the threat of either hand and generally does so well. He's a strong rebounder, shot-blocker and mid-range jump shooter, and his presence would help shore up the middle for the Rockets.
While his contract is a bit excessive, getting out from under the Brad Miller contract would help ease the sting of having to pay him upwards of $10 million per year.
While it would be risky to go after another injury-prone center, Kaman could be worth the risk.
Going after Steve Nash in a 3-Way Deal
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Houston Rockets Receive: Steve Nash, Hassan Whiteside
Phoenix Suns Receive: Jordan Hill, Jason Thompson, lottery-protected 2011 first-round pick (from Houston), Courtney Lee
Sacramento Kings Receive: Aaron Brooks, Jared Jeffries
Steve Nash does not want out of Phoenix. Phoenix does not want to trade Steve Nash. This is all of the talk that is coming out of Arizona lately about Nash's future with the team. While loyalty can run deep in some general managers, at a certain point there comes a time when a trade is absolutely necessary and turning down good offers for a star is no longer reasonable.
For the Rockets, Steve Nash would instantly come in and completely change the team. While 37 years old, Nash still is an elite point guard and makes everyone around him better. There is no doubt that Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Shane Battier would love this trade, as they would be playing alongside one of the great playmakers in the league.
His defense is suspect, but with a capable backup in Kyle Lowry, Nash would have a perfect foil when he needs someone to spell him.
Going Big with a Deal for Atlanta's Josh Smith
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Houston Rockets Receive: Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Yao Ming, Aaron Brooks, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, 2011 first-round pick
By far the least likely of all these proposed deals to go down, the Hawks will likely not want to part with Josh Smith under any circumstances. However, with the assets and cap relief coming their way, they would have to at least consider the deal.
Adding Aaron Brooks, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill and a potential lottery pick this year—along with erasing the three huge contracts of Smith, Bibby and Williams—would go a long way towards rebuilding for the Hawks. While they appear content to continue to enjoy first or second-round playoff exits, if the Hawks are serious about contention, they have to go backwards a bit before going forward.
For the Rockets, the elite shot-blocking ability of Smith along with his other impressive talents would instantly transform a defense that struggles because it lacks a true shot-blocker. Bibby and Williams would find niches as bench players, but they are simply in the trade to improve the deal for the Hawks.
While unlikely, this trade would completely change the Rockets' defensive mentality and help propel them to become a very dangerous playoff team.
Making a Move for Marcus Camby
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Houston Rockets Receive: Marcus Camby, Armon Johnson
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Jared Jeffries, Aaron Brooks, Chase Budinger
The Portland Trail Blazers and Rockets have extremely similar histories over the last few years. Both teams had a potential star center who could complement an injury-prone star shooting guard, and both looked to have strong futures.
In recent years, both have lost their centers and shooting guards to injuries and have been forced to persevere. While the Rockets have been successful, the Blazers have been even more successful in staying competitive because of the strength of their supporting cast.
With Brandon Roy potentially limited for the rest of his career, the Blazers must look to get younger. In moving Camby, they could add two young wings in Budinger and Brooks who would add a lot to the team. While Patty Mills has performed well this year, Brooks would be an upgrade at the backup point guard position and could step in as starter if the Blazers traded Andre Miller. Additionally, Budinger would be a solid fourth wing, behind Fernandez, Matthews and Batum, who could come in and shoot the lights out.
For the Rockets, the reward could be huge. While Camby is coming off an injury and still not back, he could give the Rockets a true center that they have been lacking since Yao's injury. While giving up Budinger and Brooks would hurt, the Rockets have capable replacements in Ishmael Smith and Terrence Williams, and Marcus Camby could put the Rockets over the top.
Bringing in Carmelo Anthony
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Houston Rockets Receive: Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, Renaldo Balkman, Chris Andersen
Denver Nuggets Receive: Aaron Brooks, Yao Ming, Jordan Hill, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger
The most talked-about player in NBA trade rumors today, Carmelo Anthony could transform the Rockets into a very intimidating team come playoff time. With a smooth jump shot, devastating skills in the paint and a propensity for hitting big shots, Carmelo can do it all on the offensive end. Defensively, Anthony has a ways to go, but is better than he has been in the past.
For the Nuggets, they really couldn't hope for a better offer. The combination of cap relief and young talent the Rockets could offer in that deal is superior to any other deal on the table, and they could rebuild around a young core of Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Brooks, Hill, Lee and Budinger. While that roster is not tremendously promising, they would be in a much better position than the Cavaliers and Raptors were last year.
While risky, the Rockets would have to consider this deal, especially if all indications were that Carmelo would re-sign with the Rockets. A lineup of Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Anthony, Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes with Ish Smith, Terrence Williams, Shane Battier, Al Harrington, Patrick Patterson, Chris Andersen and Brad Miller coming off the bench would threaten a lot of teams.
Would they be championship contenders? Perhaps not, but the Rockets would at least be very interesting.
