Examining the Aaron Brooks Trade Market

With the recent frustrations of Aaron Brooks boiling over into a suspension, I thought it might be a good time to examine his trade market. I mostly looked for teams that have a need at PG, have expressed interest in Brooks before, or are contending and could use a shot in the arm.

When I list the available trade assets, I mean it literally: available. We aren't getting Kevin Love or DeMarcus Cousins; those guys are untouchable. On the other hand, there might be some big time guys who could be had -- like Andrew Bynum. Without further ado, here's what I came up with:

Sacramento

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Carl Landry
-Jason Thompson
-Omri Casspi
-Donte Greene
-Hassan Whiteside
-SAC 2011 1st rounder

Sacramento has made no secret of their desire for Aaron Brooks. For some reason, they think Brooks would be a great fit next to Tyreke Evans. I have no idea why, as both players are best with the ball in their hands -- but that's their problem.

Looking at their roster, they seem to be stocked with an abundance of young talent. Of the ones listed above, I actually like Casspi and Thompson as having the most potential for us. With Battier possibly moving on this summer, Casspi might be a good fill in for our starting SF. Their 2011 1st rounder is also another intriguing option; although it remains to be seen if they are willing to include it in deals. Judging by the norm these days, it would be protected in some form.

Lakers

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Andrew Bynum

The Lakers have made headlines recently, just not the kind they would have hoped for. The public feeling seems to be that this team needs to make a move or risk falling short of their championship goal. (I just want to point out that I miss the days where I panicked over my team because we were only third in the West.)

I think it’s safe to say that Kobe, Odom and Gasol are immune to any trade talk; but I believe that Bynum could be available in the right deal. We all know – and I’m sure Lakers fans remember – how Brooks has killed the Lakers. I bet they’d love to have that kind of offensive firepower on their team. It might actually cost more than Brooks, but I think he could be the main piece of a Bynum deal.

For the Rockets, if you’re still reading, that means you haven’t died from the thought of having another oft-injured center. I fully admit that we would be taking on a risk – but it’s one I’m willing to take. Bynum, when healthy, is probably a top five center in this league. He would be a huge coup for the height-less Rockets to land, assuming he stays healthy. Big assumption... but one I think I’d be willing to swap Brooks to find out on.

Timberwolves

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Ricky Rubio
-Corey Brewer
-Michael Beasley
-Wesley Johnson
-Nikola Pekovic
-Johnny Flynn
-MEM 2011 1st (T14 Protected)
-UTA 2011 1st (T16 Protected)
-MIN 2011 1st

David Kahn, reeling from being unable to select two PGs in this past year’s draft, has expressed his interest in PG Aaron Brooks. So far, we’ve only heard that the disccusions involved Johnny Flynn and went no where. I’m not surprised.

But as you can see, Minnesota has a lot of intriguing prospects. I think Kevin Love is untouchable, but you might be able to pry Beasley away from them. With Beasley and Wes Johnson essentially sharing a position, I could see Kahn looking to possibly move one or the other. Of course, Rubio has been beaten to death – but another prospect that the Rockets were in love with before. As we’ve seen, they never stop going after those guys (Courtney Lee).

Another intriguing option is Pekovic – there was a rumor this summer that the Rockets wanted to sign him. He’s a thick center who could provide you solid minutes at the position. Not a star, or all-star, by any means, but he can be a solid rotation player at a big position of need.

For the tankers in the house, the Timberwolves also have a plethora of (possible) first round draft picks in this draft. If they wanted to re-enter the Aaron Brooks discussions and left Johnny Flynn at home, there might be a few matches.

Blazers

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Nicolas Batum
-Joel Przybilla
-Marcus Camby
-Rudy Fernandez
-POR 2011 1st
-NOH 2011 1st (T7 Protected)

I was hesitant to put Batum on this list, as Portland has stubbornly kept him out of talks. What’s more shocking to me is the value that he’s been holding – I almost wonder if POR was the one leaking it to the media: “The Nuggets called, talked about Carmelo, but as soon as they mentioned Batum we hung up.” Yeah. Right. Anyways; Batum’s a young SF that we drafted to spite the Spurs. We probably should have kept him, but that’s old news. He’s got a lot of talent; extremely long, good defender. He can guard the 1 – 3.

Other than Batum and Rudy (another good young talent; but we have an abundance of SGs), the Blazers two big men could help fill a big need. Neither may be long-term solutions, but they at least help for defense for now. The Portland/NO first round picks would likely be in the late teens/early 20s range.

Bobcats

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Gerald Wallace
-Stephen Jackson
-Tyrus Thomas (currently injured)

Unlike the other teams so far, the Bobcats have established players available rather than young pieces. Gerald Wallace has been on the block for months and seems the most likely to be traded; how would he mesh with a reunion with Rick Adelman? With Rick Adelman’s contract running out at the end of the year, should that question even matter that much in Morey’s think process on Wallace?

Stephen Jackson would also be a nice piece, who could be a fixture at our SF spot. He’s a solid defender that can hit the open shot, take his man off the dribble and find others. It would be interesting to see him next to Martin; they would appear to have complimentary styles.

Hawks

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-ATL 2011 1st rounder
-Jamal Crawford
-Marvin Williams

Atlanta is desperate for a point guard – Bibby is aging and Teague has not lived up to their expectations. Unfortunately, they don’t really have that much to offer.

Jamal Crawford is a lethal scorer that is everything we hoped Aaron Brooks would become off the bench. He’s shown throughout his career the willingness to accept a 6th man role and excel in it. He could be compared to the Bobby Jackson of Adelman’s old teams; offensive spark plug at the PG position. With his contract ending this summer, we’d have to convince him to re-sign –- but he could be a dangerous weapon off our bench.

The 2011 1st rounder is likely to be in the early-to-mid 20s; so, not that great. I put Marvin Williams on the list out of my love for the Tar Heels. Speaking rationally, he makes some sense – Battier is expiring and next-man-in is Chase Budinger; I think I’d rather take my chances defensively with Marvin. He gives our defense some more athleticism and length and is shooting a career high in FG% this year. Not someone you want around the arc –- seems to be more comfortable with the mid-range jumper.

Cavs

Spoiler

Available Trade Assets Rockets Might Be Interested In:
-Anderson Varejao (currently out for the year)

The only thing of value that Cleveland has is Anderson Varejao. With their fortunes once saved before with the bounce of a ping pong ball, I don’t think they will part with their 1st rounder.

Varejao fills a big need – unfortunately, Yao’s already filling that need: big man in street clothes. Varejao is out for the year. But. But trading for an injured player might not be such a bad idea. The point is to improve our team going forward and this trade eventually does that. Cleveland liked Kyle Lowry enough to sign him to the full MLE this summer; I think they would likely be just as interested in Aaron Brooks.

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Could you envision the Rockets going after any of these players by dangling brooks in the discussions? Did I miss a team (or players) that you think could be in play for Brooks?

 

My issue with them is Lawson. I can't see Aaron Brooks being a big bargaining chip with them when they have Ty Lawson waiting in the wings. They would be looking to get rid of Billups to free a spot for Lawson to get the lion's share of minutes. I don't think they'd want to take on Brooks just to have another controversy.

Ideally, that's exactly what they would do. But the reality of the situation is that he was the 5th pick overall several years ago and hasn't really increased his 'draft stock' any. If anything, it seems like his value is trending down. I don't think Minnesota is going to be able to trade him for as big of a talent as they once hoped he'd be worth.