Ross will be difficult but will Simmons be available? We don't have much to offer them though. Chriss, Carmelo and a second rounder, could be offered, but I doubt if it will work.
Because they need too much to be contenders and they don't have the assets to make that happen - Right Now. So to accomplish the goal , we have to acquire assets to make it happen in the near future instead of today - That near future is … next year. I know that no one wants to hear this , but its the truth. But think about it , you couldn't attach FOUR #1's to your poo platter of "assets" and get Butler when Philly gave them a couple of very average players. No one wants Knight's contract - Next year its movable , now its toxic. Tell me , what deal are you going to pull off that nets us a starting 4 , a quality 3&D wing a backup point ... at minimum. Right now , you don't have the assets to get a "Quality" 3&D wing. You might get some reject .... but not a difference maker.
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ydgyptev Add some first and second rounders to make this work. Then sign house jr for rest of season.
HOU IN: Ariza and Waiters MIA IN: Knight, Melo, Chriss, Qi PHX IN: Dragic, MCW Obviously picks would have to go to MIA but the finances work.
Rockets get: Marvin Williams Wayne Ellington (expiring) Bobby Portis (expiring) Justin Holiday (expiring) Bulls get: Hassan Whiteside Brandon Knight James Ennis Rockets 1st round pick Hornets get: Jabari Parker Eric Gordon Heat get: Robin Lopez (expiring) Carmelo Anthony (expiring) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (player option) Bulls 2nd round pick Rockets roll with... Starters Paul Harden Tucker Marvin Williams (current 37% from 3) Capela Bench Bobby Portis (avg. 11pts & 9 rebs) Justin Holiday (current 39% from 3) Wayne Ellington (career 38% from 3) Green Nene House (cut MCW; sign House) Clark (G League for a yr) Hartenstein Qi Chriss (use expiring as trade bait for something else)
One guy I'm interested in trying out (for a vet minimum in a low risk, high reward type of deal) is Arron Afflalo. He's a free agent right now, and could be a decent bench piece. He's an ok offensive player and isn't a complete sieve on defense. Elite 3PT shooter.
Kings get: Gordon, 2 2nds. Rox get: shumpert, frank Mason, Harry Giles and a first. Giles is stuck in a logjam but he can defend, rebound, stretch the floor and has a great inside game. He just needs some burn. Frank Mason would be a nice change of pace from Paul and he can move his feet unlike Gordon. Both are on cheap contracts for next year. Rockets shed salary, and plug some glaring holes.
