Houston Rockets: 10 Potential Centerpieces To Build Future Around
The Houston Rockets spent five seasons trying to rule the NBA with the All-Star tandem of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.
That experiment officially ended in February 2010 with the unceremonious trade of McGrady. Furthermore, foot injuries limited Yao to all of five games in the last two seasons. Hence, General Manager Daryl Morey has been searching for the next superstar to build his team around.
He tried and failed with Chris Bosh. And Carmelo Anthony. And Deron Williams.
At 39-36 and in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, the Rockets continue to be one of the league's best kept secrets, but they lack that All-Star presence that is needed to win big in the NBA.
With Anthony signed, sealed and delivered to New York, there aren't many stars available today, whether it be through free agency or trade.
Sleep on Morey at your own risk, however. Here is a list of 10 players who are free agents, NBA-bound college stars, or veteran stars whose names have been mentioned in various trade rumors and seemingly can be had.
10. JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards
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Season stats: 70 GP, 27.7 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 54.4 FG%.
Available through: Trade.
In the short-term, McGee could immediately fill the Rockets' biggest need: size in the middle. Looking into the future, there are few players with a higher ceiling than the current Wizards center.
McGee, 23, is in his third full season and is just starting to recognize all of his potential. He had a triple-double against the Chicago Bulls on March 15, recording 11 points, 12 rebounds and an astounding 12 blocks. His athletic ability has been on display as well, as he had an impressive showing at the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest, losing in the final to Blake Griffin.
The former University of Nevada star continues to grow on the offensive end, and if that continues, McGee could become one of the league's best centers.
There were rumors swirling in December that McGee was available. He would be a perfect fit in Houston, who is in dire need of size and athleticism in the post.
9. Jordan Hamilton, University of Texas
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Season stats: 36 GP, 32.2 MPG, 18.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 44 FG%, 38.5 3P%.
Available through: NBA draft.
As is the case with many of the players on this list, there is no guarantee that Hamilton will be available for the Rockets.
For one, he hasn't yet declared for the 2011 NBA draft, and if he does, there's a chance he could be gone by the time Houston picks, which is likely to be around the middle of the draft.
With that said, if Hamilton does decide to forgo his final two seasons at Texas, expect Morey to make a run at the local product. He has tried unsuccessfully to move up the draft board in recent seasons, so there's a strong chance he will do the same in June.
There's a lot to like about Hamilton. He's 6'7" and a solid 220 pounds. He's quick, athletic, can shoot the lights out and showed the ability to put the Longhorns on his back numerous times this season.
Hamilton scored in double figures in all but one game this season and recorded a season-high 28 points in a November loss to Pittsburgh.
The best thing about him is that he is more than just a bundle of unfulfilled potential. Hamilton has shown he can get it done on the biggest stages in college basketball and has all of the skill and physical ability to become one of the next generation's great small forwards.
8. David West, New Orleans Hornets
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Season stats: 70 GP, 35 MPG, 18.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1 BPG, 50.8 FG%.
Available through: Free agency (early termination option).
West would have been higher on this list, but the season-ending ACL tear he suffered last week clouded his future.
He will be 31 in August, so West isn't old, but he isn't a spring chicken either. It's questionable whether or not New Orleans, who is currently under league ownership, would have been able to compete with other suitors if West exercised his ETO, but he may lean towards staying in the Big Easy because of the ACL tear. Combine the injury with his age and it's likely that his market shrunk.
Regardless, he's still a great option if he becomes available, especially for the Rockets because not only would netting him bring the organization a highly-skilled power forward, but it would keep him from scorching Houston, something he often does.
West is one of the most dangerous power forwards from 18 feet in, and would be a great fit in Houston's high post offense.
He's also a fiery competitor and plays with a chip on his shoulder. If the money is right, West would be a huge pick up for the Rockets.
7. Kemba Walker, University of Connecticut
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Season stats: 39 GP, 37.6 MPG, 23.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.9 SPG.
Available through: NBA draft.
Dare to dream Rockets fans. Walker is in town for this weekend's Final Four and you can bet every member of Houston's front office and scouting department will be on hand to watch Kemba do work.
They'll more likely be doing homework on other prospects because they know all about Walker at this point, and it's highly unlikely that the Rockets can get their hands on college basketball's best player.
Walker, like Hamilton, has yet to declare for the June draft, something he is expected to do as soon as UConn's season is over. When he does inevitably make that public knowledge, Walker is expected to go somewhere in the top-three. Barring a miracle, he will be gone long before Houston picks.
But again, dare to dream. Morey has a slew of young prospects and draft picks to offer interested parties, and it only takes one bite to make a big catch.
Walker projects as a point guard at the next level, but has the skills and mindset of a shooting guard, which could be a problem in the NBA since he's a small 6'1".
There's no denying his ability and bulldog mentality. He's a Bronx native and it shows every time he's out on the court. Walker has the personality that the Rockets organization loves, and more importantly, his game is silky smooth.
Don't be surprised if Morey tries to get into the mix.
6. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
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Season stats: 73 GP, 32 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 52 FG%.
Available through: Free agency (restricted).
Gasol is a restricted free agent, meaning the Grizzlies have the right to match any offer given to him in free agency, assuming it takes place.
General Manager Chris Wallace has stated that he intends to keep Gasol, but that could be difficult since he just signed point guard Mike Conley to a massive contract extension, and Zach Randolph is due for a payday as well.
Randolph is an All-Star level player and it's unlikely Memphis has the money to pay both he and Gasol. Wallace has done dumber things in his tenure (like trading Marc's brother, Pau), but I would expect if the organization was forced to choose, I doubt they would let Randolph walk.
If that is the case, the Rockets would welcome Gasol with open arms.
At 7'1", 265, Gasol fills a need. He is an underrated defender, as evidenced by his two blocks per game, and is more skilled offensively than the aforementioned McGee.
Gasol has the skill set to thrive in the Rockets' free flowing offense, and would be a good complement to Luis Scola on the block.
Fortunately for Houston, he hasn't made the big jump many expected in 2010-11, and because of that, he might just be available.
5. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
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Season stats: 73 GP, 35.3 MPG, 20.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38 3P%.
Available through: Trade.
Granger is the best player on a really bad Pacers team that is blessed to be in the Eastern Conference. Indiana is 34-42 and in control of the eight-seed in the East playoffs. The Rockets, on the other hand, are three games out of the playoffs at 39-36.
But I digress. Granger is a player Morey has coveted for the past 18 months, and his name has been associated with the Rockets in trade rumors numerous times during that period.
With the Pacers on the cusp of a playoff berth and the fact that Granger is their franchise player, it again seems unlikely that he is an option for the Rockets, but don't be so sure.
Indiana has been in cost-cutting mode for a few years now, and it sounds like Granger can be had. Houston would love to give him a home. At 6'8", 230, he has the ideal size and skill set of an NBA small forward. He's a great scorer, solid rebounder and a long defender on the perimeter, making him a tough matchup for other guards and small forwards.
He must continue to grow as a playmaker, something he could do in Houston's read and react offense.
Quietly, there's a history here. The Rockets want Granger. At the very least, the Pacers have fielded phone calls from Rockets headquarters.
Is this the year when Morey finally closes the deal?
4. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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Season stats: 69 GP, 36.5 MPG, 20 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 2 APG, 49.8 FG%.
Available through: Free agency (unrestricted).
Randolph is the one and only player on this list who will actually be on the open market when the NBA's next calendar year begins at the end of June.
Z-BO is an unrestricted free agent, meaning he can pick where he wants to go, sign his name, hold up his jersey and start collecting his paycheck.
With Scola, Patrick Patterson, Chuck Hayes and Jordan Hill, the Rockets are deep at power forward, but none of them compare to Randolph. This 260-pound beast is almost unguardable on the low block and has an outstanding mid-range jump shot that he can utilize to set up the drive.
Aside from his offensive prowess, Randolph is one of the league's best rebounders, and has quite a motor for someone of his size and stature.
In the past, there have been questions about his character and effect on the locker room, but all has been quiet on those fronts in Memphis this season. That could be because he wants to get paid, but maybe it's time Randolph, 29, is given the benefit of the doubt.
His talent is undeniable and he is a big reason why the Grizzlies are a near lock to return to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
The playoffs are a place the Rockets would love to return to. Randolph could help them get there.
3. Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets
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Season stats: 72 GP, 31.8 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 43.6 FG%, 39 3P%, 89 FT%.
Available through: Currently on team.
Don't you love it when you're looking for something and it ends up being right in front of your face?
In this case, the Rockets might be so lucky. Martin is the league's most efficient scorer, and sits at No. 10 on the league's scoring list.
He shoots almost 40 percent from three-point range and makes 89 percent of his foul shots. Martin leads the league in free throws made and is second in attempts. People complain about his playmaking ability and defense, both of which are overstated.
Great scorers are hard to come by and Martin is one of the NBA's most unstoppable perimeter players. Did the Denver Nuggets acquire Carmelo Anthony for his defense? Does Mark Cuban pay Dirk Nowitzki to check? No and no.
They are paid to put the ball in the basket and so is Martin. Is he a superstar? Maybe, maybe not. But is he one of the best in basketball at putting the ball in the hoop? Yes.
Martin has been fantastic in his season-and-a-half in Houston and is a fan favorite.
As Morey searches for that star to build around, he might want to take a look in his own backyard.
2. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
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Season stats: 61 GP, 37 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 6.4 APG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 45 FG%.
Available through: Trade.
The modern day A.I. is another young star who has been in the view of Morey's telescope for the past year or so because, despite his skill set, Philadelphia has been dangling him for some time now.
Iguodala is a stat sheet stuffer. He doesn't do any one thing great, but when you view his statistics above, you see that he does everything well. And don't let his points per game average fool you, Iggy can get 40 on any given night.
He's one of the league's finest athletes and best dunkers. Iguodala is a stellar defender and a great passer at his position.
No team knows this better than Houston. Wednesday's loss to the Sixers marked the seventh time in eight games that Philly has beaten the Rockets, and Iguodala had his hand prints all over both victories this season.
He notched a triple-double in the Sixers' February win in Houston, with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, and came very close to getting another on Wednesday, totaling nine points, eight rebounds and 10 assists.
His talent and versatility is off the charts, and at 27, he still has time to reach elite status.
Iguodala is a player a team can build around. Philadelphia may have lost sight of that, but you can bet Morey hasn't.
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
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Season stats: 72 GP, 36.2 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 9.8 APG, 4 RPG, 2.4 SPG, 47.2 FG%, 39.8 3P%.
Available through: Trade.
Remember how the first sentence of Kemba Walker's slide read "dare to dream Rockets fans?" Well, this one says keep dreaming.
The beautiful thing about dreaming is everyone is allowed to do it about anything their heart desires, so Rockets fans, keep dreaming.
Actually, it isn't that far fetched. Paul can talk all he wants about how he has patched things up with the Hornets' front office, but don't let that fool you. CP3 wants out of the Big Easy.
The Rockets could put together a great package, but like Denver in the Carmelo situation, would the Hornets have any interest in sending Paul to, not only a conference opponent, but a division rival?
Paul is one of the NBA's handful of bonafide superstars. For all of the good players on the Rockets, they lack a player of that status. Aside from Hamilton and Walker, who have the potential to one day be the face of an NBA franchise, no player on this list is considered a franchise player.
Can you build around them as the team's best player and win big by surrounding them with the right pieces? Yes.
But Paul is a piece that you can win with regardless. He'll put fans in the seats, sell your merchandise and give you a chance to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
The Rockets finding a way to acquire Paul is no more ludicrous than Houston getting McGrady for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato.
That all started with an unhappy superstar begging for a change of scenery. Paul has already reached that point.
Hopefully for Rockets fans, it's all just a little bit of history repeating.
