Morey Meeting with Asik. Eric Gordon visiting Houston. Scola put on trade block

Free Agency just started and the Rockets are virtually in every rumor. The Rockets fell short of getting a top pick or a superstar during the NBA Draft, but their far from done trying.

Daryl Morey met with center Omer Asik right at midnight to pitch to him why he should come to Houston. Asik is a restricted free agent and the Rockets are said to offer him $8 million a year. If signed, Asik would be the only center on the Rockets roster and would help Houston’s interior defense greatly. The Bulls could match any offer, i just don’t see them giving a backup center $8 million a year when they already have Joakim Noah. I think Houston lands their center finally with Asik. If signed, he will be the starter and would be a lock for 10 rebounds and 2 blocks a game and potentially a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive team next year.

Eric Gordon is visiting a few teams in the next three days, and on Monday he will come to Houston. Gordon is also a restricted free agent and sources say that New Orleans would match any offer given to him. Gordon is seeking a max contract of up to $58 million. I expect him to get it.

There is also a rumor that the Rockets and Hornets are in trade talks. Sources say it would be a sign and trade deal sending Gordon to Houston and the Hornets would choose a combination of Kevin Martin, Patrick Patterson, Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas. The Hornets could choose any three of those players and are said to be high on Kevin Martin. Personally i hate the trade. Houston would be giving up way to much young talent for one player. Gordon will be a future star, but so could Lamb, White, Jones and Motiejunas. If i’m the Rockets i offer Martin and Kyle Lowry. The Hornets have Jarret Jack and Austin Rivers, but could use a young point guard like Lowry to run the team. If that’s not enough they could throw in Scola. Houston has no need for those three guys and they would be able to add another young guy to the mix. Hornets could have a starting lineup of Lowry, Rivers, Scola and Davis and could look for a small forward.

The Rockets have officially put Scola on the trading block, finally. Scola has done many great things for the Rockets over the years, but he took a major stepback last season. His defense was atrocious at best. His offense even took a hit when he settled for jump shots on most shot attempts. He got really lazy in my opinion, He never hustled on defense. Scola does have value and sources have said the Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets are in talks to send Scola to the Nets for expiring contracts and  future picks. Scola would benefit from playing with Deron Williams and would give the struggling Nets some much needed offensive punch. The Rockets would benefit from getting rid of a huge contract and getting rid of one of their 9 forwards. Houston has no need for Scola’s services with the additions of White, Jones and Motiejunas. Thr Rockets also have Patterson and sources have said he is working hard to improve this offseason.

The Rockets would better off getting rid of Martin, Lowry and Scola and giving their young guys playing time. If these teams play their cards right they would all benefit from each other. The youth movement in Houston is in full force and Red Nation can’t stop talking about it. A lot of buzz is around Houston and that’s never bad for the city.