The rumors are swirling at a frantic speed and by now, you’ve heard all the names. Thad Young, Spencer Hawes, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Paul Millsap, and draft picks held by the Charlotte Bobcats. What would be the best haul? Thad Young and Jeff Green seem to be out because of the length of each player’s respective deal. Spencer Hawes would seem to be coming back in any deal, just because he stands to seem like the best backup big on the market and has an expiring contract to boot. And Millsap is the most underrated player in the league (check out his RAPM) with maybe the best contract out there – slide him into that lineup next to Howard and you could have something scary; but it seems, from reports, that the Hawks are wary of making a deal.
Would you rather have the picks or Millsap? What can you get with the picks and how difficult would it be to get them? For instance, as I’ve been speculating on Twitter for the past hour or so, what would it take to get the Timberwolves to bite on a Kevin Love offer? If they’re forced to trade Love, I don’t see anyone beating out a package of Terrence Jones + 3 picks + (salary filler). Those three picks would presumably be two acquired through the Asik deal and then one of the Rockets’ own. I just don’t know if I could see a more attractive offer out there considering young prospects and picks is what teams target in these type of deals, especially with Jones’ recent emergence. Then again, though, a big component of that Harden trade was the fact that the Toronto pick was guaranteed lottery. If you don’t think that package is enough to get Love, then maybe you just prefer Millsap in the Omer deal over the picks?
And can you even get two picks? I think everyone would agree that in this three-way that is about to happen, you will be able to get Spencer Hawes and at least one draft pick. But can you get two? And what would it take to get two? Can you find someone to give you a draft pick for Jeremy Lin while taking back one of their bad contracts? If that’s the case, I’d throw him in there too. Again though, it’s extremely risky to blow up this team and be left holding picks that aren’t exactly flippable. You have to be sure that that new package can get you a star at the deadline.
And lastly, what is the thinking on Jones? Is he the future or are you trying to replace him with Millsap or, gulp, Love? Jones has looked tremendous but it’s extremely difficult to win a championship with young players, especially frontcourt starters. All of the other true contenders have veteran cores. The Rockets’ only real relevant veteran is Dwight Howard; even Harden is still pretty new at his role.
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