April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Boogie goes to Houston
Here are a number of thoughts that have crossed my mind during the playoffs about the Rockets:
“Wow, Dwight Howard does not look 29. Then again, LeBron has lost a decent amount of athleticism the last two years, and he’s only 30. AND HE’S QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST ATHLETIC HUMAN BEING OF ALL TIME”
*goes on statmuse*
“Holy Crap, Dwight has played over 11,000 less minutes than LeBron. While big men don’t tend to last as long as wings, that’s still a lot of mileage. Yes, Dwight has struggled with injuries the past couple years, but he’s always bounced back. He may never be Magic D12 again, but he can be pretty darn close”
“The Rockets supporting cast does not look ready to be contenders”
“If only there was a way to push this back two years, without wasting what may be the end of Dwight’s prime”
“While we’re at it, as long as Kevin McHale is the coach, I would like to see a different big in Houston, one who can actually post up”
“Oh yeah, Cousins is a top five back to basket player, and he’s closer to the age of the Rockets core than Dwight, and he’s playing in a scheme that would fit Dwight much better than him”
“George Karl loves athletic big men, even if they’re not good (we are all looking at you, JaVale McGee)”
And here we are.
The Kings have about $52.3 million committed to players, via HoopsHype. The cap is expected to come in at $66.3 million, so this could be a 1-for-1 trade (while I doubt it would be). If Karl wants to bring Collison and Miller back next season to run the point, Ray McCallum could be a filler in this deal. Similarly, if Houston brings back Josh Smith on a fair deal (which would probably be unlikely if his bff Dwight was traded) one of Houston’s bigs could be sent the other way.
Having a game managing point guard in Collison, a shooter/athlete in McLemore, a scoring wing who can sometimes pass in Gay, and if they could bring in a stretch four, this would look like the Magic team built around Dwight.
I do have a few concerns for this deal, such as I wonder if the Kings could build a team around Dwight in one offseason. Bringing in a 29-year-old doesn’t give you a ton of time to get things right, so this would have to be a hit from the start. A stretch four would be huge, and if Karl would bring in Wilson Chandler and let him and Gay be combo forwards, that could work well.
Also, the Boogie/Harden relationship would be a big part of this deal. If they can’t coexist, then this wouldn’t work. Both of them can carry an offense, and neither are setting the world ablaze on defense, will there be an issue as to who is the alpha dog?
Will their defense survive?
Obviously Houston is in the Western Conference Finals, and gave Golden State a way better first game than expected. However, I feel like they aren’t better than San Antonio, Memphis, and they needed the Clippers to literally implode in order to make it here.
Despite their successes, I think this is as far as this team will make it as constructed. Injuries decimated the West this year, and Houston basically got a bye in playing Dallas, and had to play out of their minds to not lose in five to LA. This team seems more like a fluke than a contender, just being there whenever misfortune strikes other teams.
Overall though, I think the benefits much outweigh the risks for each team. The Kings now become a player in the West, and Houston takes a step back from a leap it may not be ready to make from really good to great team. It’s hard to see them overcoming a team like Golden State, so maybe now isn’t the time to strike anyways.
However, once Golden State has to pay guys like Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, it could weaken their bench or starting lineup. Striking then would be opportune with a lot of teams out west being old or having superstar questions (Mem, Dal, SAS, PDX, and OKC).
If Kevin Durant leaves (he probably won’t) and veteran teams like Memphis and San Antonio getting older, maybe it would be better to attack when these guys are figuring things out? I think so.
Next: Lawson To Utah