If you think about the Rocket's needs long term, there are very few people that would deny that the Center position would not be the #1 need. If you take a look at the potentially available Centers through trade, and in next years draft, you will probably be disgusted that the best available Center out there would be someone along the lines of a Hasheem Thabeet, and that would be at a much greater price then most GM's would pay in return for a Center with huge question marks. So do you think that the Rockets would consider another alternative approach? Would the Rockets be better off in the long-run to trade for a player like Anderson Varejao or Chris Kaman knowing that they are currently out and most likley are out for the rest of the season in order to find a long term solution at the Center spot going into next season? Its a gamble that very few GM's would likely take, but does this front office feel like they need a good quality center bad enough to trade for one knowing that they would not even play till possibly next season? -My guess is that yes, they would do it, at the right price. But what would Cleveland or the Clippers want in return for these guys? Plus, there are questions the front office would have to answer to their current team and fans. Do the Rockets not care about this year anymore? Is it negatively viewed for a team that has had injury issues in the past to trade for a currently injured player? Are we tanking? It has been speculated that Varejao was set to be the major centerpiece in a trade that would have helped this franchise rebuild past the Lebron era, and that him going down with the ankle injury killed his trade value. Just as an example = Do the Cavaliers think enough of a player like Terrence Williams + the remainder of Yao's insurance paid contract, to give up Varejao? -seems like the Risk/Reward could be worth the price of assets that are currently not being used anyways. Just a intriguing concept that I have yet to hear anyone discuss, and AV and Kamen are just too examples. Feel free to add anyone to the list and share the pro's and con's.
Cant say that I can see Caron Butler as a long-term solution, give his age. Plus, the wing spot seems to be a position of strength at the moment. Varejao was the player I really had in mind when creating this thread.
I'd try and get Varejao and then offer Scola/Bud for Granger. Slide Hayes to starting PF, and your defense will be much much improved. You could run Lowry, Granger, Battier, Hayes, Varejao at times for a sick defensive unit.
I would rather take a shot at Greg Oden and Andrew Bynum. Varejao is a Power Forward. Chris Kaman is a soft, scrub. Varejao and Kaman at their VERY best, will not take us anywhere.
Lakers might be intrigued at getting Battier for the title run this year. Given Bynum's injury problems, could we get him for a Battier/Jeffries/Hill? Or even Battier/Miller because Brad would work well in the triangle.
Kaman was an All Star last year averaging 18ppg and 9 rebounds. He is more of an offensive minded big and wont add much to the team defensively, but it could allow Hayes to move over to the PF position. Varejao has been playing Center very effectively for the past two seasons and has the size to play the position. His effectiveness would be on the defensive end and has been one of the best rebounders in the league on both ends of the court for the past two seasons. Would not match up well with Hayes offensively. Has 4 more seasons after this one and makes about 7.5 mil a year. These are players that are not superstars, but they could solidify the position for years to come.
Bynum is a gamble long term for the Lakers or anyone that is looking to take him on in the future. However Bynum is the difference maker in size and length for the Lakers and is the difference maker for them in the playoffs. I assume the Lakers will place a high value on him this season at least because they have to take their chances with him this season if they want to 3peat. The Lakers front office is probably already thinking about matching up with the Celtics in the finals again this year.
Defense bruh. Does everything well on that end with not many tools. Does more with less. He'd be a 10-12 boards a night guy if he had to play 35 mins a night.
Andy is a beast, a center/PF combo of Andy/Chuck would shut down any frontline in the game today. His offense is decent enough and the hustle plays would be a gift from god...and yes he flops like crazy so he'd fit in nicely.
no no no no no no no Varejao is one the most underated players in the league. He is a difference maker defensively and moves without the ball very well. Think of him like a taller version of Chuck Hayes. The Cavs have not won a SINGLE game this season with him out of the lineup. They won eight before he went down. Think about that for a second.
yes lets trade for Greg Oden ...seeing how much luck we have had with another injury proned big man...this seems like a wonderful idea!
