All eyes on Morey
As trade deadline looms, it’s up to Morey to fill Rockets’ needs for deep postseason run
Last season, NBA trade drama centered on Kawhi Leonard.
This season, all eyes are on Anthony Davis. When one of the league’s best players is on the market, everyone pays attention.
The NBA trade deadline is in less than a week. Things have been shaken up in Dallas, New York and New Orleans and there is more to come.
While the NBA world watches the Lakers come up with offers to try to land the top prize (Davis), a few teams are going to quietly get better in the background. The Rockets need to be — and absolutely can be — one of those teams.
A lot can happen in five days. And when the ever-aggressive Daryl Morey is your general manager, a lot will.
So, enjoy the Davis-Lakers show, but keep an eye out for something brewing in Houston.
It’s no secret this season hasn’t panned out the way the Rockets hoped. There’s a big divide between last season’s squad — one everyone paying attention had penciled in as a legit NBA championship contender — and this season’s team, which has struggled with injuries, depth and consistency.
By this point last year, the Warriors and Rockets in the Western Conference finals was a sure thing. And whoever won that series would win it all.
It came down to a tremendous series between the two a few months later that could have gone either way.
When the season ended, the Rockets were as hungry as ever and ready to chase the Warriors and win the title.
Changes were made in the offseason and the Rockets didn’t come back with the same fire. But they’ve survived.
Carmelo Anthony is long gone — he’s been traded and waived by another team already.
The Rockets aren’t dominating, but they’re winning and hanging in the playoff race, and they continue to be appealing.
Morey has worked his magic and brought in two players who have made an immediate impact in Austin Rivers and Kenneth Faried. Eric Gordon and Chris Paul have recently returned from injuries and Clint Capela will return soon.
Most importantly, the Rockets boast the best player in the league in James Harden, who averaged 43.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.07 steals and 1.21 blocks in January. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that marked the seventhhighest scoring average in a single month in NBA history with a minimum of 10 games played. Wilt Chamberlain holds the top six spots.
The Rockets have a lot of weapons. When they are healthy and playing together, they are capable of beating anyone.
But to be considered a contender again, they need two things: depth and defense.
Of course, Morey should pursue any top player available (including Davis). There’s nothing wrong with trying to land the best players.
There’s also nothing wrong with not getting them.
The rumor mill is going strong when it comes to possible Rockets trades. And a few are intriguing.
Garrett Temple in Memphis would be a nice addition to the Rockets. He’s a great wing defender and spent time with the Vipers, so he is familiar with the franchise.
Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan were part of that jaw-dropping trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas.
Both are great defenders. Jordan is the better story — he is a dominant big in the league and hails from Houston — but Matthews might be the better fit for the Rockets. He provides depth and defense where they need it most.
Cleveland’s Alec Burks’ name has been thrown around. His game fits in well with the Rockets, who shoot more 3-pointers than anyone. And while not always known for lock-down defense, he’s one of the most improved defenders in the league. He, too, could be a good pickup for the Rockets.
Morey will explore every option and will be bold when any come along he thinks will help. He’s never been shy about making moves. Some haven’t panned out as expected, but his track record is good.
The Rockets aren’t the team they hoped to be entering the season, but it’s clear they haven’t given up hope they can be.
With that in mind, they’ll look for ways to improve as they make their final push before the postseason.
The spotlight is on the Davis saga — understandably so. But moves that happen in the shadows will likely be the ones that make the biggest differences in the way this season plays out.
The Rockets’ needs are clear. If Morey can add depth and defense, the Rockets will be right back in the mix.