NBA Rumors: Rockets' Pursuit of Marc Gasol Is Smart Move

The Houston Rockets arranged a trade to get power forward Pau Gasol.

Then, commissioner David Stern said, "no soup for you!" and vetoed that trade. So, the Rockets re-worked the trade to try and get Gasol again.

This time, the Lakers decided to pull out of trade talks.

Of course, for the Rockets, if at first you don't succeed, and at second you don't succeed, then just go after the younger brother.

Houston is rumored to be close to signing Marc Gasol to a four-year, $55 million contract. He is a restricted free agent so Memphis has a chance to match the offer sheet, but it appears unlikely that will happen.

This may seem like Houston is just settling for Pau's younger brother, but Marc just might be a better deal for the Rockets.

First of all, Pau is 31 years old and would have cost Houston Kevin Martin and Luis Scola. He may have put up his usual numbers last season, but Pau struggled in the playoffs and just may be on his way down in his career.

Marc, on the other hand, is still just 26 and has only been in the league three years. He certainly hasn't put up numbers like his big brother, but the potential is certainly there.

I personally thought the Rockets were giving up way too much for Pau when I first saw that first trade.

Kevin Martin's defense can certainly be lacking at times, but he's one of the most electric scorers in the league. And Luis Scola just had a career year with averages of 18 points and eight rebounds.

Scola's numbers alone are pretty similar to Pau's. Gasol offers more defense, but not quite enough to justify giving up Martin as well.

But now, the Rockets can hold on to their top two scorers and add Marc Gasol to make one of the better front courts in the NBA.

This seems like a no-brainer. I'd much rather have a trio of Martin-Scola-Marc Gasol than Courtney Lee-Patrick Patterson-Pau Gasol.