Morey inclined to keep young Rockets status quo

[Dash]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As much as Rockets general manager Daryl Morey evaluates the data of past performances to predict the future, there will always be exceptions. He, Morey insisted, will likely be an exception.

 

Morey has never let a trade deadline pass without a deal. But one month before the 2012-13 trade deadline, Morey said he is more unlikely to make a deal than he has ever been, with the seven-game losing streak the Rockets bring into Monday’s game against the Bobcats not changing the long-term plan or revealing much they did not know.

 

This, Morey said, could be the year he sits out, even if his history argues otherwise.

 

“There’s a few reasons,” Morey said. “Everyone (on the roster) is tied to the future. They’re all 23-ish, pretty much all our guys. We’d like to grow together. And we have a clear and present way to upgrade without trades with all the cap room. All those things add up to us being more stable.”

 

Morey does not consider the rebuilding to be complete or even simply in need of time for the Rockets to mature past their status as the NBA’s youngest, least-experienced team. The acquisition of guard James Harden before the season is considered a major step toward the long-term plan, but Morey believes the Rockets are a star away from a roster that can grow into a contender.

 

But in many ways, that could make Morey choosier, despite his early-season declaration he won’t be picky.

 

 

 

Quality comes first

When he said that, he meant he cannot be picky about the position of an elite player if he could make a deal for one, despite the offseason acquisitions of his starting point guard and center and the struggles of his power forwards.

 

“I won’t be picky about position, Morey said. “I’d be picky about quality.”

 

If he gets the chance, Morey will have to choose a running mate for Harden carefully. If he is to seek a trade for a player with an expiring contract — such as Josh Smith or Paul Millsap — he would have to consider the deal based on what it would take to keep the acquired player as a free agent and whether the Rockets could contend with Harden and the player added, because such a deal would cost Morey next summer’s cap room.

 

If that roster would not be contender-worthy, Morey would be unlikely to box himself in — as many teams have when desperate to find a second star — by making a mistake with long-term ramifications.

 

Also, the rules about extending contracts of players in trades limits the years that can be offered and their likelihood to forgo free agency, making such a deal risky.

 

Morey has been open about his willingness to gamble in such a deal, but that was for Dwight Howard or Carmelo Anthony. He’d gamble for a star of Howard’s level, but likely not for a solid upgrade.

 

Long term considered

“I would say yeah, every acquisition we’d want to help this year and for the future,” Morey said.

 

He is also less likely to move a veteran at the end of his contract just to get something before free agency — as he did with Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill — because he has only one of those in Cole Aldrich.

 

The most likely moves would be for a short-term veteran addition (along the lines of last season’s deal for Marcus Camby) from a team seeking an asset before free agency or to use the current cap room (about $6 million) to facilitate a deal to get an extra draft pick.

A power forward who is a low-post threat or a natural range shooter would help solidify the offense. A top 3-point shooter would fit as well.

 

Still, if the trade deadline seems close just a month away, the Rockets have been reminded lately how swiftly and greatly things can change. With Morey determined to look at the big picture long-term, he is less likely to deal than ever. But he was always so certain to make a deadline move, less likely does not necessarily mean unlikely.

 

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/01/morey-unlikely-to-tweak-rockets-roster-before-deadline/

 

Glad to hear this from Daryl. There is very little reason in parting with assets for Paul Milsap or Josh Smith at the deadline when Houston has the ability to sign them in the offseason. Even then I don't really see the Rockets being interested in either one because neither one propels this team to even top 3 in the West. I could see interest in signing them to a big money 2 year deal but otherwise no. Of course eventually Houston needs to have that 2nd star behind James Harden but right now we're just the youngest team in the league currently in the playoffs with a 23 year old superstar locked in on a 5 year deal. No need to rush the process.

 

As for the trade deadline, Patrick Patterson will certainly be flipped in order to make some room for playing time for either Motiejunas or Jones and the cap space will definitely be used likely by taking on a expiring contract from a team looking to avoid the tax in exchange for an asset (Houston could use a first to bolster their assets after dealing 3 to OKC).