Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: What’s Going On

Daily Rocket Science looks at the approaching NBA trade deadline which is now hours away, and the fact the Houston Rockets have yet to make a move.

Today is February 18th. The trade deadline is set for 3 PM EST  (2 PM CST). With all the trade rumors and speculations surrounding the Houston Rockets, Dwight Howard and Ty Lawson are still members on the team. (At the moment this post was written.)

It’s crazy how things can change in a blink of an eye. In a matter of months the Rockets went from contenders in the West, to the biggest soap operas in the Association. Sitting below .500 at 27-28, the Rockets face an uphill battle in their last 27 games. (Which begins tomorrow against the Phoenix Suns.)

Although, the future seems a little bleak in Houston, it is not the time to give up on Clutch City.

Houston Rockets news and notes from around the web

Since the news of his availability, almost every team in the league is linked to a Howard trade. The latest destination in the Dwight Saga comes from Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, who suggested that the Rockets should trade Howard to the Brooklyn Nets.

"Ultimately if the Rockets are willing to take 10 cents on the dollar, and it is just a matter of moving him, and the drumbeat continues to increase and get louder,  and that is the way they’re feeling –that they just need to move on, not being caught just having him walk out the door, and let’s get the most we can right now and move on, then that opens up the opportunity for, even a place like Brooklyn, where you already have a , where this is a place he originally wanted to be, let’s just take assets at this point and figure it out later.” Brook Lopez"

Unless Brook Lopez is included in this deal, there is no way Morey will trade Howard for little to nothing. It’s like an unwritten rule, trade one all-star player for another. With all the trade rumors on Howard, his teammates have gone under the radar. Until last night, Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the Rockets and Utah Jazz are in trade talks to send Ty Lawson to Salt Lake City.

"Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets have offered Ty Lawson to the Jazz in exchange for a package that would be headlined by former Utah lottery pick Trey Burke. At least one Jazz player would have to be added to the deal to make the salaries work, but sources said Utah is seriously weighing a gamble on Lawson as part of a long-running search to bring in a veteran point guard for the stretch run."

This trade would be a steal. Trey Burke was one of the top point guards in the Nation two years ago at Michigan, and as has yet to reach his potential. Burke is one of the up-and-coming guards in the league, and along side James Harden can spell trouble for their opponents.  

It’s no secret the Rockets are the most disappointing team this season, and just about everyone have written them off. Everyone but NBA FanSided writer Luke Dahlgren. As one of his 20 bold predictions, Dahlgren predicted the Rockets will make the playoffs. As well as defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.

"The Clippers should hold steady for the rest of this year, but the Rockets may have a bit of a surge in store. Even with the inconsistency of their roster, no other team between the Rockets and the Clippers has Houston’s talent, depth and playoff pedigree."

With the Memphis Grizzlies losing Marc Gasol for the rest of the season, there is a high possibility the Rockets will make the playoffs. However, due to the inconsistency of their play, advancing to the second round will be tough.

So, as we begin to countdown the hours to 3 pm, please take a look at our trade series featured in the link below and visit our main page for a divisional team by team trade analysis.

Next: Houston Rockets trade Series Update

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