Morey gets back to work after award win
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Rockets general manager Daryl Morey accepted congratulations and shook hands before crediting so many members of his staff for his NBA Executive of the Year award that if his comments came in an Academy Awards acceptance speech, the band would have begun to play him off.
At least for one final night before moving on, the Rockets could celebrate the 2017-18 season, with Morey’s executive award and James Harden’s MVP pointing to the 65-win run that put them among the league’s elite. But as the Rockets repeatedly cited the championship goal left unachieved, it also was clear the awards night completed the season, with the opening of the free-agency market just days away.
Ideally, the Rockets would love to again make the sort of move that was the first step toward Morey winning the award.
A year ago, he completed the deal with the Los Angeles Clippers that brought in Chris Paul. But just as that required Paul choosing the Rockets and telling his team he would opt-in to the final season of his contract to facilitate a trade, the Rockets’ quest to land the top prize of this summer’s class of free agents, LeBron James, depends most on him.
James has until Friday to optin for the final season of his Cleveland contract, with several
individuals at the NBA Awards Show on Monday saying James has not reached any decisions.
The Rockets’ hopes to land him have not changed, likely sending Morey back from Santa Monica and to the phones in an effort to have deals in place that would allow him to export the roughly $35.6 million of contracts necessary to match James’ salary in a trade, most likely involving multiple teams if the Cavaliers would be willing to take part before James would become a free agent late Saturday night.
The Rockets’ pursuit would be more difficult if James returns to the free-agency market. Creating the cap room for him would require Morey to gut most of the roster he assembled and a sign-and-trade in which he sent out corresponding salaries would be difficult.
On the cheap
In many ways, Monday’s award offered a reminder of how the Rockets were retooled even after the deal for Paul was complete.
The free-agent additions of P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute were crucial, with Tucker moving into the starting lineup and helping to dramatically improve the Rockets’ defense and Mbah a Moute becoming the second player off Mike D’Antoni’s bench after Sixth Man runner-up Eric Gordon. Gerald Green was added Dec. 28, bringing instant-offense depth.
Tucker was signed with a mid-level exception, Mbah a Moute and Green for veteran’s minimum contracts. The Rockets have a tax-payer mid-level exception available this season but could use at least some of that to keep some of their free agents who don’t have Bird rights to exceed the salary cap.
Harden made a point to say the Rockets have all they need.
“We’re great with what we have,” he said, “from top to bottom, from the front office to coaching staff to players, personnel.”
Keeping the rotation will be a challenge.
Paul, who cheerily celebrated Harden’s win and even playfully mocked a report of tension between his camp and the Rockets, has said he had made his freeagency decision when he joined the Rockets and has displayed every intention of signing his long-term deal. He is eligible for a five-year contract, though a four-year deal would be a possibility.
The Rockets have Bird rights to re-sign Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela, though both are likely to get extensive interest.
Capela is a restricted free agent considered the NBA prototype of the current style at his position central to the Rockets’ style. Mbah a Moute, Green and Tarik Black are unrestricted free agents. To keep them, the Rockets either have to dip into their mid-level money or reach a deal on minimum contracts.
Many thanks
Keeping the band together is not likely to win awards and the Rockets will try to do more, from landing the best free agent to finding more useful bargains. But as he held his new trophy, Morey let it be known he will have plenty of help.
“It’s an organizational award,” Morey said. “People know we have so many great people that work for the organization. Chris and James make it easy. I just listen to what they tell me to do. The (Tilman) Fertitta family has been so supportive since they came in. I definitely want to thank all the key people, Coach (Mike) D’Antoni, Gersson (Rosas), Eli (Whitus), Monte (McNair), Jimmy Paulis, Keith Jones, Jason Biles, too many people to name. “This is their award.” In an effort to repeat, they have their work cut out for them.
But if Morey really does just listen to Harden and Paul’s direction, he could check out the award, recall how his star guards got to town in the first place and see if he can do it again.