Well now, since we're "allowed" to talk basketball again, I don't mind stirring up a little bit of the crazies.
Houston has done a solid job in the playoffs so far but their team is obviously primed and set up for a player like Dwight Howard. With so many deep threats and drive and dish players, Howard would fill in tremendously. With Howard's free agency looming, it's no surprise that the Rockets will again try to make a run at the big man. What won't be surprising is to see the Kings end up with another potential trade with the Rockets.
Hypothetically speaking, let's say the Rockets make a big push for Dwight. This would obviously make Asik redundant, as he would serve no use coming off the bench being paid starter money. Also, by opting not to bring back Garcia and Brooks (which is more than likely. Though I think Brooks is a player option he'd probably intend to keep) and shedding the contract of Asik would make them big players for Dwight, putting them about $20 million under the cap. Now, since the Kings would need to at least give something of value up to the Rockets, I'd say let's give them Jimmer. With Lin's rocky playing and Beverley's limited experience, it seems only right to add another player to that mix. Might as well make it a shooter that could play a similar role as Reddick did for the Magic with Dwight. Also, I threw in Salmons, an amnesty candidate that will not affect their books (luxury tax wise), to make the numbers work. Also, they're giving us Royce White because uhh... he's been a headcase? Sure! So potential trade:
Rockets out: Asik, White
Rockets in: Fredette, Salmons
Kings out: Fredette, Salmons
Kings in: Asik, White
Potential lineup:
Rockets:
PG - Lin, Beverley, Fredette, "Brooks"
SG - Harden, Anderson
SF - Parsons, Delfino
PF - Smith, Jones, Robinson
C - Howard, Olbrecht
Kings:
PG - Thomas, (Douglas)
SG - Evans, Thornton
SF - Patterson, "Outlaw" , White
PF - Cousins, Thompson
C - Asik, (Aldrich)
Why the Rockets do this: Free up cap space to acquire Dwight Howard. This is strictly a salary dump on their part that they would be ludicrous to accept, though it would benefit them tremendously with more money available. With a lineup of 3-4 floor spacers and Howard in the middle, that team can be potentially very dangerous. Would play to their strengths as a deep ball team while building a path for the future with one franchise player and a star in Howard. The inside/out game would work so much more. Adding Jimmer just gives them a more reliable shooter to space the floor for Dwight.
Why the Rockets don't do this: So they're not on drugs right? Well, it'd be terrible for them to give up on Asik, a centerpiece of their defense. Also, White is still a big question mark. Potential never realized though is just another common story in the NBA and it might be nice for the organization to walk away from that mess. Also, they're really giving up two young pieces for a bench role player. Which is... highly insane. But, Dwight.
Why the Kings do this: So you're telling me we clear out our point guard "log jam" and get rid of Salmons contract while getting fair value in return? Uhh... you owe us Rockets! Bringing in Asik would be the answer for the defensive big to pair with Cousins. He wouldn't demand the ball and strictly works as just a pick and roll, offense rebounding big. This would be a scary front court to deal with on both offense and defense. White's potential is either or. He could be another headache, but he'd be "our" headache. Still, the value we'd be getting back in return would far out weight losing Jimmer's potential.
Why the Kings don't do this: Hmm... well bringing on White? Still lacking a dearth in veteran players. Won't address our SF needs? Uhh... because the sale hasn't gone through yet to the Sacramento group till the beginning of next season and FTM?
Of course, there's a few things that this trade hinges on. One, Dwight Howard would need to go to the Rockets which who knows what could happen. Two, what is Harden's PPP and how it'd affect bringing on another max contract guy. Three, if the Rockets are truly going to make a push for Howard, they'd have to shed salary somewhere but I would think Lin would be higher on the list to move. This also doesn't factor in our skeleton lineup with no draft picks included. I'm sure our pick would be of some value to our team. So let the craziness of the TDOS begin.
Houston has done a solid job in the playoffs so far but their team is obviously primed and set up for a player like Dwight Howard. With so many deep threats and drive and dish players, Howard would fill in tremendously. With Howard's free agency looming, it's no surprise that the Rockets will again try to make a run at the big man. What won't be surprising is to see the Kings end up with another potential trade with the Rockets.
Hypothetically speaking, let's say the Rockets make a big push for Dwight. This would obviously make Asik redundant, as he would serve no use coming off the bench being paid starter money. Also, by opting not to bring back Garcia and Brooks (which is more than likely. Though I think Brooks is a player option he'd probably intend to keep) and shedding the contract of Asik would make them big players for Dwight, putting them about $20 million under the cap. Now, since the Kings would need to at least give something of value up to the Rockets, I'd say let's give them Jimmer. With Lin's rocky playing and Beverley's limited experience, it seems only right to add another player to that mix. Might as well make it a shooter that could play a similar role as Reddick did for the Magic with Dwight. Also, I threw in Salmons, an amnesty candidate that will not affect their books (luxury tax wise), to make the numbers work. Also, they're giving us Royce White because uhh... he's been a headcase? Sure! So potential trade:
Rockets out: Asik, White
Rockets in: Fredette, Salmons
Kings out: Fredette, Salmons
Kings in: Asik, White
Potential lineup:
Rockets:
PG - Lin, Beverley, Fredette, "Brooks"
SG - Harden, Anderson
SF - Parsons, Delfino
PF - Smith, Jones, Robinson
C - Howard, Olbrecht
Kings:
PG - Thomas, (Douglas)
SG - Evans, Thornton
SF - Patterson, "Outlaw" , White
PF - Cousins, Thompson
C - Asik, (Aldrich)
Why the Rockets do this: Free up cap space to acquire Dwight Howard. This is strictly a salary dump on their part that they would be ludicrous to accept, though it would benefit them tremendously with more money available. With a lineup of 3-4 floor spacers and Howard in the middle, that team can be potentially very dangerous. Would play to their strengths as a deep ball team while building a path for the future with one franchise player and a star in Howard. The inside/out game would work so much more. Adding Jimmer just gives them a more reliable shooter to space the floor for Dwight.
Why the Rockets don't do this: So they're not on drugs right? Well, it'd be terrible for them to give up on Asik, a centerpiece of their defense. Also, White is still a big question mark. Potential never realized though is just another common story in the NBA and it might be nice for the organization to walk away from that mess. Also, they're really giving up two young pieces for a bench role player. Which is... highly insane. But, Dwight.
Why the Kings do this: So you're telling me we clear out our point guard "log jam" and get rid of Salmons contract while getting fair value in return? Uhh... you owe us Rockets! Bringing in Asik would be the answer for the defensive big to pair with Cousins. He wouldn't demand the ball and strictly works as just a pick and roll, offense rebounding big. This would be a scary front court to deal with on both offense and defense. White's potential is either or. He could be another headache, but he'd be "our" headache. Still, the value we'd be getting back in return would far out weight losing Jimmer's potential.
Why the Kings don't do this: Hmm... well bringing on White? Still lacking a dearth in veteran players. Won't address our SF needs? Uhh... because the sale hasn't gone through yet to the Sacramento group till the beginning of next season and FTM?
Of course, there's a few things that this trade hinges on. One, Dwight Howard would need to go to the Rockets which who knows what could happen. Two, what is Harden's PPP and how it'd affect bringing on another max contract guy. Three, if the Rockets are truly going to make a push for Howard, they'd have to shed salary somewhere but I would think Lin would be higher on the list to move. This also doesn't factor in our skeleton lineup with no draft picks included. I'm sure our pick would be of some value to our team. So let the craziness of the TDOS begin.
