Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: Heard it Through The Grapevine

Daily Rockets Science: Heard it through the Grapevine

Just two weeks ago, the Houston Rockets were in their worst slump of the year. Now, they are starting to look like the contenders fans expected to see this season. As the Rockets approach closer to the halfway point of the season, my co-writer Ben Casey said it the best, “There’s not much more time that can be wasted being an average-at-best team.”   

As they make adjustments to catch up on lost time, Houston find themselves surrounded by trade rumors as the deadline approaches next month.

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While playing his best basketball of the season, some can argue that Dwight Howard has been the Rockets’ best player over the past few weeks. In the last 10 games, Howard posted 16.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks a night, and managed to maintain his efficiency as the league’s best big man. Although he has put to rest the news about his unhappiness in Houston, Superman still finds his name in the midst of trade rumors around the league.

Howard’s latest trade rumor comes from Sir Charles in Charge writer Michael Saenz in his article Five Big Names that Should be Dealt Before the Trade Deadline in February. Although Saenz stated that the possibility that Superman’s flight to South Bench is no longer a destination, he acknowledge one trade scenario that may catch fans by surprise.

"“The Los Angeles Clippers are another team that comes to mind, mostly because of their rough start. Though, it looks like they’ve shaken that off. Still, a for Howard swap was an interesting idea I came across a few weeks ago. Could still be something to that. The Houston Rockets need a shakeup to their roster, and they aren’t going to trade . Sorry, Dwight.”   DeAndre Jordan James Harden"

Saenz does have a point, any move the Rockets make to shake up their roster will not involve the bearded one. However, there is no way Daryl Morey will trade Dwight Howard for the overrated DeAndre Jordan. If Morey even thinks about entertaining this trade with the Clippers, it’s time for Leslie Alexander to higher a new general manager.

While talking about moves Daryl Morey should avoid, there is one trade scenario that has reappeared in Gerald Bourguet’s Hoops Habit Five Teams that Should Trade For Markieff Morris.

"“With Trevor Ariza reportedly available and Terrence Jones being reduced to a bench role, general manager Daryl Morey might not waste more time if he feels this roster can’t compete for a championship. If that’s the case, Markieff Morris is one power forward upgrade Morey could look into.”"

As a versatile stretch four, Markieff Morris would be a great addition to the Rockets frontcourt, but his attitude may cause turmoil in Clutch City as it once did in Phoenix. Do Morey really want to trade trade two of the Rockets’ core players, for a guy who got mad because they traded away his twin brother?

For team chemistry reason, trading Ariza for Morris is not a smart risk to take. However, if there is one player worth trading for, look no far than New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson.

Once again Hoop’s Habit’s Bourguet’s Five Team That Should Trade For Trevor Ariza, have to agree a trade for Anderson is perhaps the Rockets’ best scenario. 

"“Anderson would be the piece that takes Houston’s offense to new levels, spacing the floor with a three-point shot that would open up driving lanes for James Harden. He wouldn’t exactly be able to slot into Ariza’s spot at the 3, but Anderson would be a superb stretch-4 in Houston’s top-10 offense.”"

If the Rockets are in need of a stretch four, Ryan Anderson is worth trading away Trevor Ariza. (Come on Rockets fans, just because Ariza had one great game against Pacers Sunday night, doesn’t make him nontradable.) Anderson would be a great fit in Houston.

As the Pelicans’ sixth man, Anderson is averaging 16.7 points, and 6.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.8 percent from behind the arc. Not only will the Rockets upgrade at the power forward position, but adding Anderson will give Houston one of the best second units in the league.

So, if Daryl Morris is looking to shake up the Rockets’ roster before the deadline, hopefully Anderson would be the player headed to H-Town and not Markieff Morris nor DeAndre Jordan. At least that’s my two cents on the subject and that also wraps up Daily Rockets Science today. Join us tomorrow morning when Ben Casey returns.

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