The Rockets’ Impending Roster Moves
T-Mac isn’t going anywhere“There is definitely going to be a roster management move,” said Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey yesterday after the squad rid themselves of Loren Woods. “probably in the next two weeks.” And no, we’re not insinuating that this is a sign that the Tracy McGrady-to-Detroit rumor will finally come true.
In reality, the Rockets’ roster is completely out-of-whack, as they’re stacked with enough power forwards to field a small militia. There’s no way that they’d carry 6-6 PF Mike Harris, 6-6 PF Chuck Hayes, 6-7 PF Carl Landry, 6-8 PF Joey Dorsey, 6-9 PF Luis Scola, 6-9 PF Maarty Leunen and 6-10 PF Steve Novak all into the season.
The early indication is that Novak is the first one gone. He’s played on Houston’s summer league team for the last two years, and sources close to the situation say that his absence this year indicates that he might not be in the Rockets’ long-term plans even if they extended his contract last year.
But even if Novak is trimmed off the roster, it would still make sense for Morey to turn the remaining six power forwards on the roster into another point guard. Though Rafer Alston had a solid season (13.1 ppg, 5.3 apg), this whole squad would benefit from some more support at the point. Neither Bobby Jackson nor Aaron Brooks can truly handle a one’s responsibilities when Skip takes a breather.
Wouldn’t it make sense for the Rockets to give Memphis a call to make a play for Javaris Crittenton? The Grizzlies committed to Mike Conley around draft day when they called off a trade with the Heat for the No. 2 pick because Conley was involved. Plus, even with the acquisition of Darrell Arthur, the Grizz could use some toughness along their front lines.
If you were the Rockets’ GM, what would be your move to make this roster the best it could be?
Source: Houston Chronicle
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Ross says:
Hire some unbiased commentator’s for the televised games.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
CHEE says:
go to FA and get white chocolate or dooling.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Bruce says:
Break up Yao and TMac — It ain’t working!
July 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Bruce says:
Yao should bring his ass to the Lakers, only then will he win a championship. I know it is not going to happen either. But no big name is not going to win a championship till he dons Purple and Gold.
The Dream does not count, MJ took a break. YOu know that for a fact!
July 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Trading one or two of their power forwards (not scola) for crittenton or marcus Williams of new jersey would make sense. Maybe even heinrich although I don’t see enough value for Chicago to bite. Raymond felton would be nice if he’s not in charlottes long term plans. Jayson Williams would be a last resort. They need youth at that spot.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Prof. TX says:
Scola and Landry can hold down most of the PF job, keep one more as backup and they’re good at that position (not great, but good). Hayes is just Landry with less offense, which is why he wasn’t playing much. Novak doesn’t really fit in. Maybe they keep Dorsey as the third choice.
Their depth chart looks like:
PG- Alston, Jackson
SG- McGrady, Head
SF- Battier, ?
PF- Scola, Landry
C- Yao, Mutombo
A SF with offense (Battier was all D this year) and a big PF/C combo would be nice additions.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I realize the Yao and mcgrady tandem hasn’t won a chip but I think you can’t break them up yet. They need pieces around them. A great point could do it. Thats something that Houston hasn’t had in a long while.
If you must break them up how about a sign and trade of bynum for Yao? What do y’all think?
July 15th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@prof. Tx
Greene may very well be that small forward who can score.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Tha Boddy says:
Bynum for Yao??? WDF are you thinking man Bynum has what like 30 good potential based games and now he is in trade talks with a ELITE Center in Yao Ming…your funny Spliff2 so funny
July 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Austin Burton says:
The Lakers wouldn’t trade Bynum for Yao unless Kobe demanded it.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Austin Burton says:
And I’m not saying Bynum’s better than Yao, but Yao’s consistent injuries versus Bynum’s age makes NBA GM’s favor him more at this stage.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Octopus Jonny says:
How about sending one of those hard-nosed PF’s to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee could send them Gadzuric and Des Mason.
Win-Win for Milwaukee.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Hey I’m not a laker fan or a rockets fan so I don’t give a shit either way. It just seems like Houston fans want to break up Yao and t-mac and I don’t see them getting rid of Tracy so if they did break them up wouldn’t Yao be the one leaving. What about Yao for bynum and Lamar odom? Does that make it better Boddy?
@Houston fans
If you had your choice who would be expendable Yao or t-mac?
July 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Bruce says:
How long have Stacey and Yao been together?
Pieces, this ain’t no dream team. You can’t get a true superstar at every position.
I didn’t hear any complaints when they won 22 straights!
Stacey acted like he got out of the first round!
July 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Big V says:
@Austin, you really think that GMs would rather have Bynum on their team right now as opposed to Yao? Maybe you’re right, but I don’t know about that….
@Trey, Marcus Williams would be a NICE pickup if they can swing that somehow.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
isotope says:
I would hate to see Novak go. They just never used that dude right. Dude was automatic from the 3. Yeah he was limited on D but there are so many players in the League that are able to give points and play no D. I say keep Novak, Scola, and Dorsey. Landry is awesome but he’s asking for too much $$ and has a bum knee.
July 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Homeless J says:
I just want to say that Marty Leunen is a bum. I watch a lot of Ducks games so I’ve been watching him play regularly for a few years. He hasn’t improved very much over that span of time. He was the “cringe” guy on that team – you know who I’m talking about, every team has one, where when he gets the ball in his hands you know he’s going to drop the offensive set and just jack up a stupid shot and ruin everything. He accomplished that in spades. I specifically remember moments when Aaron Brooks was still playing for the Ducks and they got to the Elite Eight in Brooks’ senior year, in the game they got eliminated, Marty Leunen getting the ball, dribbing sloppily, jacking up a stupid shot. wash, rinse, repeat.
He’s not particularly athletic, he doesn’t have handles, but he does shoot the 3 – which makes him absolutely redundant for the Rockets because Steve Novak has an inch on him, and is a much more efficient and reliable threat from deep. I don’t want to make it sound like I have a personal vendetta against this guy – reading back over this, it sounds like he fucked my little sister or something – but he was really frustrating to watch for my favorite college team, for a long time, and that will start to grate on your nerves. I can’t see what the Rockets see in this guy other than maybe they’re proving their investment in Aaron Brooks is serious by bringing in one of his buddies from college to make him more comfortable.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
BillBlaze says:
i would try to find a real power foward besides scola so they might as well trade t mac for some help. its funny never thought you should trade your #1 to help a franchise but if you can get rip sheed and future pick do it cause maybe then they can sign keyon and make a package for artest or even josh howard because even though cuban hasn’t publicly said it you know he’s chompin at the bit to get rid of him and wouldn’t battier look real good locking down scores in a mavs uni???????
July 15th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
SWAT says:
First off, wow Homeless j that’s a good read. I was curious about dude’s play. I’m not too sure about them drafting that cat, like you said novak has an inch on him and they are basically the same dude, plus novak has a game for us so you know dude can be clutch when needed.
2nd-Bruce you’re a d-bag son. I’ve been trying to be easy just reading not really putting my 2 cents in but damn kid you got some nerve talking bout “You want to win a chip go to the purple and gold”…to quote roy jones jr…yall musta forgot…didn’t yall just get your ass whopped by the celts. Damn yall LA cats kill me. Then you have the nerve to say that the chips we won don’t count cuz’ MJ was retired. Are you an LA fan or a Chicago fan? Really you sound like a bandwagon fan…
3rd-the verdict is still out on Dorsey but Harris was nice last night. I would ship Hayes and Maarty outta there, maybe even novak too. I just don’t think the Detroit trade made sense but please try to keep Harris.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Trey says:
I dont understand the MJ comment. Mike came back in 95 and Chicago got beat by the same Magic squad that we swept. Anything otherwise is either Rockets hating or Bulls bandwagon jumping
July 15th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Kudabeen says:
Side Note:
As I called it on July 2nd. Orlando picked up Anthony Johnson to be Nelsons backup. He is a big tough guard that should be excellent in that role. Now if orlando pick up Kwame on the cheap, find a way to steal Novak from Houston, and re-sign Mo Evans or Bogans they are looking much tougher this year.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
the mamba says:
Houston needs a new pg. Maybe some combo of skip carl landry and/or chuck hayes for hinrich. Then trade tmac for tayshaun (who the rockets should’ve draftet when he came out. Still pissed we ended up w/ boki that draft) and rip hamilton.
Pg hinrich
Sg rip hamilton
Sf tayshaun
Pf scola
C yao
They would probably b the best shooting team in the L
July 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
James says:
Felton for Landry or Scola
July 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
BillBlaze says:
@mamba
the pistons WILL NOT trade prince for anybody because that kid has game greater then anyone else on the pistons. (for now till they really unleash stuckey on the league) and the same goes for kirk because in case you havent heard he’s a reinsdhorf favorite and they’re more likely to move gordon or deng then kirk.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
$filmoney$ says:
I would add my boy shaun livingston, a pass first playmaking Point who plays D. Although there are injury concerns they’d be gettin him for a cheap price based on his talent/skill level. Also I agree with Prof. TX on trading some of their bigs for a shooting SF. I would go hard for james posey, he can’t carry a team but iz the diffence between a playoff team & a contender.
July 15th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
@mamba, that team would get raped. I do agree the rockets NEVER should of drafted Boki.
@Bruce,
Ya um like swat said, didn’t the purple and gold just get teabagged and ran of the court?
@Trey,
Felton can’t shoot. Why would you give up rafer who can hit 3s put pressure on defenses for felton who hasn’t proved anything in the league yet except that he is fast. Crittenton would be a better choice since hes still young plus hes big at like 6’5.
@kuda,
If orlando stole novak from the rockets (hes prolly gettin cut so its not really a steal) wouldn’t he just be a young pat garrity?
July 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
AB_40 says:
Yeah either phoenix or houston should take a shot at shaun livingston. And those power forwards. Carl Landry will end up being a tweener in 3 years he and Greene will be the starting forwards. Cuzz Scola will be Older by then.
Chuck Hayes needs to go
PG- Alston, Jackson, Livingston
SG- McGrady, Head
SF- Battier, Greene
PF- Scola, Landry|
C- Yao, Mutombo |–> Dorsey.
Pending injuries this would be a nice 12 man roster for the Rockets. Western Confrence seccond round material right there
July 16th, 2008 at 2:05 am
GEE...First off happy birthday to me pimpinnnn! says:
its time
July 16th, 2008 at 2:58 am
zb says:
Maybe another good PG would be a good choice
July 16th, 2008 at 3:05 am
GEE...GEE...First off happy birthday to me pimpinnnn! says:
aight considering the current roster is looking like
C: Yao, Dikembe
PF: Joey Dorsey, Scola, Justin Williams
SF: Donte Green, Maarty L, Landry, Mike Harris, Novak, Battier, Hayes
SG: Tracy
PG: Alston, Head, Francis, Jackson, Barry, Haluska
Granted a lot of the players play 2 and 3 positions
First off the DM the GM sucks.
If I rock the controls then I am trying to get a free agent first I drop who ever can be dropped like they already did with Woods.
Next I go ahead and sign Shaun Livingston for the low low.
Now I am create some packages to get a real starting pg (cause truth is Alston should be a back up or 6th man), and scoring back up center.
Williams, Maarty, Harris, Hayes, Jackson, Head and Haluska. Now you can package these cats in any order you like along with future 1st or 2nd round draft picks and cash. And if worst comes to worst trade Alston in the package since you got Barry now.
Course all this is easier said than done but you would be aiming for an Andre Miller type of guard, a real floor general and a somewhat decent scoring center. And if he could duplicate his 07 -08 season (80 games 10 point average) maybe a Brendan Haywood type.
So they you looking at
C: Yao, Haywood, Deke
PF: Dorsey, Scola
SF: Green, Landry, Novak , Battier
SG: Tracy
PG: Miller, Barry, Francis and Shane to battle for third.
That is a solid crew. Then. again just pray for a new GM and new strength and conditioning coaches and no injuries lol.
Tracy has help in scoring in Green as far as creating a shot, defense is solid and you give Novak play to spread the floor plus dude can shoot so you don’t let him go.
Aight provided none of that works: If you talking about breaking up Tracy and Yao ..which I really wouldn’t do I would get rid of Yao before Tracy. I would trade Yao for a scoring center, think Lamarcus and a pg. I would try my best to offer like Yao and some 1st and 2nd round picks for Dwight Howard although it would prolly never go through. Dwight and Tracy would be just nasty.
Then in a total i have lost my mind scenario. Go get Tinsley or Crunchbury and let them run point and trade Alston for a scoring center to back up and replace Yao when he gets injured.
Naaaw that is just to crazy.