Could Dwight head to Texas in 2013?
Could CP3 go back to New Orleans?
There's at least one guy who might have something to say about all that.
Oklahoma City just dealt James Harden to Houston. The Thunder pulled in an impressive haul, despite the setback: Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, two first-rounders (one of which comes from Toronto and should be in the #4-#14 range), and a second-rounder. What's the impact?
In the wake of this out-of-the-blue/red-and-into-the-black trade, most folks are talking about the short-term: good for Houston who are now a long-shot to make the playoffs. Minor setback for OKC whose chances of winning the title are down a few percent.
Everyone else is talking about the long-term: great for OKC who gains flexibility, avoids the repeat tax, and has some promising pieces (the Veal, the Toronto pick). Mixed for Houston because they're committing a lot of dough to Harden who will sign for a max, like, right now; Asik who the Bulls are anxiously watching from afar to see how much he's actually worth as a starter; and Lin, ditto for NYK.*
Nobody is talking about the all important middle-term. How does this effect the next two off-seasons, summer 2013 and summer 2014? First and foremost, it sets up Houston as a hugely desirable place to play. Why's that?
• You get to play with a solid young PG with huge marketing potential in J-Lin.
• You get to play with one of the most well-liked dudes in the NBA in The Beard.
• You get to play with one of the hardest-working young defensive-minded centers in Asik.
• Bonus: Donatas Motiejunas on the rise.
• You get to play with... Chandler Parsons.
• And, most importantly, you can sign for a max contract because Morey has cap room.
Dwight Howard has supposedly made it clear he never-nurver wants to play in Houston. But if the Lakers struggle to mesh this season and he refuses to re-sign in the wake of various interpersonal and on-court disasters, then Houston might look like a pretty swell retreat. Same goes for Dallas.
And there are far less speculative possibilities out there for the Rockets. Who else is a free agent in summer 2013? After Dwight, there's Chris Paul. Then there's Andrew Bynum, Josh Smith, and Steph Curry.
While Paul doesn't make nearly as much sense in Houston (they'd likely have to trade Lin for a SF), it's hard not to see him and Harden getting along.
Seemingly wackier but actually far more realistic, if the Clippers turn out to be a disaster this season—with Vinny faking his way "at the helm," a roster-full of wings bickering over minutes, and no one to play defense (not even Reggie Evans)—well, Paul might just opt out and survey his options. In addition to Houston, what's his best bet? Join LBJ and make an acronym sandwich?
He should go back to New Orleans. Join Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and A-F Aminu to make what would arguably be the most balanced starting five in the league. Wouldn't that be something? He left New Orleans in a relatively classy manner, has maintained connections there, and would be greeted as a hero returning to make good. You heard it hear first: CP3 to New Orleans in 2013. Give it a solid 3.6% chance.
Even less speculatively than that, what about the massive cohort of free agents set to be on the table in summer 2014? Tons of talent could move that summer. Just the SF position alone—with James, Carmelo Anthony, Rudy Gay, and Danny Granger—will force ESPN to hire additional staff to churn out trade-spec pieces.
In any case, Houston will be extremely well positioned to draw interest from the talent pool that opens to the public the next two summers. And you gotta believe Daryl Morey has a few more tricks up his protractor. Should be interesting.
*What are the ethics of rooting for/against a player your hometown team decides not to re-sign/overpay? Do I root for Asik to prove how stupid the Bulls front office is and because I love the lovable goof? Or, short of praying for him to fail, do I root against him hoping that the Bulls made a smart future-oriented decision?)