NBA Trade Rumors: What Can Andris Biedrins Bring to the Houston Rockets?
Eager to fill a gaping hole left at center, the Houston Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins, according to the Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice via Twitter.
According to the Contra Costa Times, the Rockets have offered Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet in exchange for Biedrins, who still has three years and $27 million left on his current contract with the Warriors.
Biedrins, who's averaged 7.7 points, eight rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game over a seven-year career, has had two relatively weak seasons in a row, where he played in just 92 games.
Letting go of Hill, someone who has supremely underachieved in the league thus far, and Thabeet, someone who has really underachieved in the pros, shouldn't hurt Houston much at all, if any.
Golden State isn't jumping at the offer for obvious reasons (see two 2009 lottery busts above), but losing Biedrins isn't exactly franchise threatening.
Despite coming off disappointing consecutive seasons, Biedrins has shown promise in the past, scoring 11.9 points and racking 11.2 boards in 30 minutes per game in the 2008-2009 season. Houston would undoubtedly be happy to see numbers like that coming from one of its bigs.
Since Yao Ming was injured (again) in the 2009 NBA playoffs matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, the 7'6" center hasn't been able to return to form, and continues to struggle with staying healthy.
The Rockets have utilized Yao's services for just five games since that day, and with his contract expiring, it's unclear whether China's big man will come back to Houston.
Over the past two seasons, the Rockets have attempted to replace the eight-time All-Star with David Andersen, Brad Miller, Chuck Hayes and Hill.
Needless to say, the void hasn't been filled.
The biggest question left is why Biedrins? Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde isn't a great option at center, and he's not the best one Houston can get.
With Nene Hilario, Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol and even DeAndre Jordan available in free agency, the Rockets are reaching with Biedrins more than a toddler going after the cookie jar.
If a deal is made between the Rockets and Warriors, which Biedrins will Houston get? The energetic seven-footer good for a double-double each night, or the recent Biedrins, putting up five points and seven rebounds in limited time, playing half a season each year, looking at the past like the girl who got away?
Either way, this move will prove Houston's nickname as either "Clutch City" or "Crutch City" true.
