sign and trade Archives

The Rockets Aim For Three

The NBA free agency period has only been open for two days now and while no serious star has moved yet, there is plenty of word of the stars realigning very soon. A report coming from Sam Amick of USA Today says that if Dwight Howard were to sign with the Houston Rockets, the team would then pursue adding Atlanta Hawks free agent Josh Smith as well.

The Houston Rockets want their own “Big 3” now

Let’s keep this paragraph based all upon “If ‘s“. If Dwight Howard were to sign with the Houston Rockets, he would be locked down for four years and earn around $88 million dollars. This in turn would create a very dynamic duo of up and coming superstar James Harden and All Star Dwight Howard. If that wasn’t enough, let’s say they land Josh Smith via a sign and trade, that’s the only way Smith can come over due to Houston’s financial situation. If this happens their starting line up would be James Harden, Patrick Beverley (Jeremy Lin will start if he’s not traded), Chandler Parsons, Josh Smith, and Dwight Howard; that right there is a line up you wouldn’t want to mess with. Or is it…?

Josh Smith loves to have the ball

Josh Smith loves his touches, loves to rack up a nice score sheet, and loves to shoot. James Harden loves to control the ball, loves to rack up a nice score card, and loves to shoot. Dwight Howard loves his touches, loves being the “go to guy”, and loves to be the number 1 option. See the problem yet? There aren’t enough basketballs in all of the NBA to satisfy all their selfish desires to be the number 1 guy. On top of their needs for more balls comes their immediate lack of depth at every position. Houston has already sent Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks packing and currently are offering Jeremy Lin and Omar Asik to any team for something in return. Why would Houston want to stack a heavy starting unit like that and leave a depleted bench, haven’t the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Lakers taught you anything?

Houston has it’s leader in James Harden. Why complicate it?

I am no Houston Rockets fan by any means but this idea of a Big 3 constructed with Dwight Howard, James Harden, and Josh Smith sounds horrible. Sure their talent level will be off the charts but I just cannot see them all meshing together. On top of that Houston shouldn’t rely on their starting core so heavily, we’ve seen that fail countless times before. If I were a Rockets fan, I’d be hoping Josh Smith takes his talents to Detroit rather than Houston.

The Brooklyn Nets Have To Win

Last night during the 2013 NBA Draft the Brooklyn Nets acquired the Celtics two biggest names, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett along with veteran shooter Jason Terry; in return the Boston Celtics got three first round picks (’14, ’16, and ’18), Kris Humphries (expiring contract), Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, Marshon Brooks, and Keith Bogans. Here’s a minute to let that all sink in.

The pressure is on for new Nets coach Jason Kidd

Right minute over, you alright? Looking at this trade it shows that the Brooklyn Nets have no problem with being way over the cap, love to be a center of attention, and have fully embraced the “win now” mind set. Overall their starting five: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Brook Lopez, is pretty strong looking. With Paul Pierce they fill their need at Small Forward, with Kevin Garnett they bring a tested player and veteran into the locker room, lastly with Jason Terry they bring more perimeter shooting.

Will Brooklyn hoist a NBA Championship banner soon? Unlikely.

The trade puts Brooklyn in a tough position for the next few seasons. This team is walking into the 2013-2014 season with a new inexperienced coach, aging roster, weak bench, and as a whole way over the cap and into the luxury tax. If you ever wanted to see a team pull a “all or nothing” move, you’re looking at it. Brooklyn clinched 4th seed in the East last season and lost to an undermanned Chicago Bulls team. With the additions of Pierce, Garnett, and Terry they become more intimidating but still lack the punch teams like the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls have to even contend for a championship. The Brooklyn Nets are stuck at the borderline of being mediocre and being a contender this season and will be stuck there for many years to come.