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[Watkins] Rockets GM says getting into this draft's first round 'will be pretty easy'

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by cdrive, Jun 21, 2016.

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cdrive Member

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http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-roc...kets-gm-says-trading-into-first-round-is-easy

HOUSTON -- Rockets GM Daryl Morey said Tuesday that despite two high second-round picks in Thursday’s NBA draft Houston's moving into the first round via trade is doable.

“I think it will be pretty easy to trade [our] picks into the first this year,” Morey told ESPN. “There are four teams that have almost half the draft in the first round, and none of them wants to use their pick to trade.”

This is the first time since 2013 the Rockets have gone into the offseason without a forthcoming first-round pick. That season, Houston snagged Isaiah Canaan in the second round. Since then, Morey’s first-round picks have seen mixed results.

Clint Capela was drafted in 2014 at the tender age of 20 needing playing experience and bulk to his body. The 6-foot-10 Capela has played in 89 games, including 77 in his second year, and is the projected starting center if Dwight Howard doesn't pick up his player option and becomes a free agent.

Unless Morey snags a center in free agency (the Rockets have interest in Al Horford) Capela’s future seems bright. During the course of this past season, Capela developed a strong chemistry with guard James Harden on pick-and-roll plays and on lobs to the basket. He is more athletic than Howard but lacks the experience that Howard brings on the defensive end to help a team in the short term.

Capela is still learning and is expected to get better.

Last year, the Rockets drafted Sam Dekker in the first round, and he didn’t play in the NBA summer league because of back issues. He eventually underwent back surgery after playing in a handful of D-League games.

Dekker, a small forward, is developing his outside game, something the Rockets need from him in new coach Mike D’Antoni's offense.

Dekker said he will be ready for the summer league this year after getting cleared by the Rockets’ medical staff.

Because of Dekker's health and lack of playing time, his evaluations still contain some unknowns.

Houston could venture toward drafting another small forward in this draft, potentially adding more depth to the position.

“We definitely like to have a mix of veterans and prospects, and Sam is obviously a prospect and hasn’t had a chance to prove himself,” Morey said. “He looks good and he’s on the floor every day and we’re optimistic every day in his ability to come in and do what he can do next year.”

Of course the Rockets want to build around their core of veterans and young players. In addition to Harden, the vets include: Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley and Corey Brewer. Houston has some younger players who should get more playing time such as K.J. McDaniels, Montrezl Harrell (last year’s second-round pick), Capela and Dekker.

“We’re building around James and obviously Dwight,” Morey said. “Outside of James, we don’t ever talk about any untouchable. We really like our core; we won 56 recently and with some upgrades to the roster we can get back to being a top playoff contender.”

The process began with D’Antoni's hiring this spring and continues in finding players who fit his up-tempo system. A ball handler able to push the pace up the floor and a reliable outside shooter are key. Players willing to commit to the defensive system of coordinator Jeff Bzdelik are important, too.

Finding the next young player who can be a strong fit down the line starts Thursday.

“I think the draft has been deep for a while,” Morey said. “The quality of the players coming out of the colleges is very deep. I think, in terms of franchise guys, there are zero to two most years, but in terms of depth they’re good players all the way to 60 every year. I think you just got to find them.”
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Well I didn't see that coming honestly. We're going to trade up?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Deep draft-we R still talking about ~50 players w/legit chance 2make impact in NBA-highest since I joined HOU-reminds me of deep 2005 draft</p>— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmorey/status/744005405710290944">June 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Looks like we're 48 hours away from some interesting developments...

#1 cdrive, Jun 21, 2016

Snow Villiers Member

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Morey Wants Thon Maker

#2 Snow Villiers, Jun 21, 2016
HTOWNTAKEOVER Member

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shouldn't have made the playoffs in the first place. would have had a lottery pick.

#3 HTOWNTAKEOVER, Jun 21, 2016
OTMax Member

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Lol we never keep our picks long enough so it doesn't matter anyway

#4 OTMax, Jun 21, 2016
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Deuce said: ↑

Hey Morey, don't set us up for disappointment in not getting in the 1st round. If it is "doable", then we expect it done.
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Tells us how easy it will be to move into the first
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.
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Doesn't move into the first.

:grin:

#5 J.R., Jun 21, 2016
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Morey is blowing smoke.

#6 jimmyv281, Jun 21, 2016

1 person likes this.
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cdrive said: ↑

http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-roc...kets-gm-says-trading-into-first-round-is-easy

“I think it will be pretty easy to trade [our] picks into the first this year,” Morey told ESPN. “There are four teams that have almost half the draft in the first round, and none of them wants to use their pick to trade.”
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This Morey quote is entirely contradictory. Either they misquote him or misunderstood him or both.

How can it be easy to trade into the first if none of 4 teams with all the picks wants to use their picks to trade?

#7 rpr52121, Jun 21, 2016

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Snow Villiers said: ↑

Morey Wants Thon Maker
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you probably have addressed this but are you an "insider" as well? If so, do you know the prospects morey really likes in this draft?

#8 johnnydeezy1, Jun 21, 2016
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INB4 DD says this is Morey self promoting

#9 Haymitch, Jun 21, 2016
topfive CF OG

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Snow Villiers said: ↑

Morey Wants Thon Maker
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No, YOU want Thon Maker. Don't project your emotions.

#10 topfive, Jun 21, 2016
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topfive said: ↑

No, YOU want Thon Maker. Don't project your emotions.
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I don't care for Thon Maker. I want Demetrius Jackson.

#11 Snow Villiers, Jun 21, 2016
napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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HTOWNTAKEOVER said: ↑

shouldn't have made the playoffs in the first place. would have had a lottery pick.
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Would have changed NBA history.

Rockets lose 1-2 more games ----> Warriors face Jazz in first round ----> maybe no Curry knee injuries ----> maybe less Green technicals ---> Golden State Championship ----> No GOAT discussion for Lebron ----> Rockets first round pick -----> totally different trade assets and summer positioning ----> different 2017 season ----> and so forth.

Life is just ripples on a pond...

#12 napalm06, Jun 21, 2016

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Murray devaluing other first rounders by saying it's "easy" to get in. Nice.

#13 SirIvyLeague, Jun 21, 2016

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He speaks like Trump. Morey steaks, Morey university, Morey philosophy and Morey picks.

#14 cheke64, Jun 21, 2016

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jimmyv281 said: ↑

Morey is blowing smoke.
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It is typical Morey. The Rockets biggest asset is Morey's big mouth.

#15 albuster, Jun 21, 2016
smoothie Jabari Jungle

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probably can buy a late first with cash. teams have multiple picks, and others trying to maximize cap space...

this year its very important to get more than one decent rookie on this roster. first, because the entire league will get stuck with a bunch of high priced contracts in free agency, making the rookie contract even more valuable as a trade asset. secondly, because we need more players who are improving rather than regressing if we want to sustain any success during james' career.

#16 smoothie, Jun 21, 2016
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This is actually a stupid thing for Morey to say; makes any GM who trades sound desperate. Could actually backfire. I use to think Morey's candid talk was great, now I think he's growing more unwise.

I've started that long hard slide from ardent supporter to doubter on Morey. Still hope he surprises me though; I've turned.

#17 Aruba77, Jun 21, 2016
Last edited: Jun 21, 2016
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Snow Villiers said: ↑

Morey Wants Thon Maker
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Why not Thon Maker? The perfect project.

1. Still super raw, but you get all that length and height on defense off the bat.
2. Can also shoot from longer distances then your average 5 can.
3. Good kid and not a head case.

Don't get me wrong, he has negatives
1. Has blinders on when he gets the ball. Needs to learn to not force a shot when things brake down.
2. Needs to improve his Defensive awareness

There are plenty more negatives, but I think Thon's realistic NBA potential is a role player. A guy who can be used in many different ways to create mis matches. I don't see a star when I watch him, but I see a guy who could dominate in a small ball lineup (if he adds weight and what not). Can't teach that length.

#18 Houston79Astro, Jun 21, 2016

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OTMax said: ↑

Lol we never keep our picks long enough so it doesn't matter anyway
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This is really true. Who has been the longest??

#19 Sanity2disChaos, Jun 21, 2016
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Aruba77 said: ↑

This is actually a stupid thing for Morey to say; makes any GM who trades sound desperate. Could actually backfire. I use to think Morey's candid talk was great, now I think he's growing more unwise.

I've started that long hard slide from ardent supporter to doubter on Morey. Still hope he surprises me though; I've turned.
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A slap in the face it is. It's a deep draft to any foolish team of my choice will give me a 1rst. In a deep draft I might add. Foot in mouth.

#20 Sanity2disChaos, Jun 21, 2016

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