Non-Rockets fans following me on Twitter must think I suffer from ADD. At the news of any available star, over the past two-three years, I’ve immediately pounced, advocating that the Rockets pursue. So it goes in Rocketland – most here realize this team, more than anything, is desperately in need of either a star or someone with potential to become one.
(Most of the time, there surfaces some report of the Rockets’ interest in said disgruntled star; I’m almost expecting that to happen this time around, as well.)
It seems now, from reports, that the trade demand was made during a heated moment during a timeout. That certainly lessens the severity of the situation, though, one would have to think trouble is still brewing. It’s a situation that needs to be watched.
For what its worth, I don’t think the Kings would comply with Cousins’ alleged “demand.” They would just as soon trade Tyreke Evans or axe their coach (of 90′s Phoenix Suns fame.) But stranger things have happened and our role on the internet is to speculate.
If Cousins truly is available, the Rockets would be wise to offer anyone on their roster (save budding All-Star Kyle Lowry) in return. Skilled 7 footers don’t grow on trees. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I saw one growing anywhere, period.
Cousins would be a risk, yes, and definitely not a no-brainer. But for a team insistent upon competing (ie: avoiding the draft route), trading for the center would make sense. To those arguing of his cancerous ways: he wouldn’t be allegedly available were he a choir boy. For the Rockets to acquire a ‘star’–or potential one–, via trade, they’ll naturally have to be disgruntled in some manner.
Cousins would give the Rockets a building block to pair with Kyle Lowry. They would not immediately improve this season, and depending on who they gave up, might even, were it to happen, take a step back. But the team undoubtedly would be better for the future. Few men holding clipboards are better suited for big man tutelage than the man who currently patrols the Rockets’ sidelines. When we talk of Kevin McHale developing young players, we are not speaking in hypotheticals. We are pointing to Kevin Garnett’s hall-of-fame career.
The ideal scenario would see the Rockets orchestrating some move to send one or both of Scola and Martin out to a third team, and bringing back Cousins and salary filler. One almost has to admit that the possibility of a Patterson/Cousins frontline pairing is intriguing beyond belief.
Still, nothing concrete has developed and this could all just be smoke in the aftermath of a fiery moment. We’ll watch closely as the situation develops.
