Space City Scoop Round Table – Houston Rockets Off Season, Part 2

Apr 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Antonio Spurs bench looks on during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Spurs 108-103 and earned the 8th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Q8: Which free agent did Morey miss out on?

Andre: One player that really impressed me a lot against the Rockets was Al-Farouq Aminu. He got paid for those strong performances against Houston with a 4 year /30M contract with the Blazers so I’m not sure he was attainable. His fellow Maverick – Amar’e Stoudemire could have been a nice pick up for the Rockets as the Heat signed him for the veteran’s minimum. Cory Joseph and Rodney Stuckey were also nice options but that was before the Rockets traded for Lawson.

Coty: The one free agent Morey missed out on not named LaMarcus Aldridge is Danny Green. Since his spectacular NBA 2013 finals performance  Green has not only become a lethal 3 point shooter, but he has turned into a solid defender. Just imagine how enjoyable it would have been to watch Ty Lawson running a fast break with Dwight Howard in the middle, along with James Harden, and Danny Green on the wing.

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Eric: It’s hard to say Morey missed out on a free agent since the Rockets had limited cap room and were really focused on retaining their core. However, Josh Smith leaving for the Clippers was a little unexpected and you can say that Morey “missed out” on resigning Smith.

James: It’s hard to say if Morey missed out on anything because I don’t think it was imperative for them to go out and sign a free agent. I think it was far more crucial for him to bring back some of the core pieces that helped them make their playoff run last season. Morey brought back guys like Corey Brewer and Patrick Beverley. Sure, they didn’t bring back Smith, but Kevin McHale seems to like Terrence Jones, so Jones will be expected to up the ante come this season.

John: Well, when you are clear about wanting a top free agent to go with Harden and Howard and don’t get one then I’d say he missed out on all of them. Trading for Lawson helps ease the blow, if not landing a top free agent this off season. Although, LaMarcus Aldridge would have looked really good in Clutch City.

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Joshua: Of course everyone would have loved to landed LaMarcus Aldridge. Seeing as that Aldridge had a meeting scheduled with Houston, I would say that he is the free agent Morey missed out on.

After getting roasted by Aldridge in the first round of the playoffs two seasons ago, it would have been great to see him in a Rockets uniform instead of having to see him go to a team in our division.

As great as Aldridge is, Rockets fans can take comfort in knowing that we have two solid power forwards, and possibly a third in Harrell.

Trey: LaMarcus Aldridge. That’s it.

Tamberlyn: You can’t call not getting LaMarcus Aldridge a miss as it was the recruitment pitch made by Morey which Aldridge himself called impressive. LA was always going to head to San Antonio, so while it was a worth while attempt it wasn’t unexpected.

Given the Rockets style the player(s) Morey should have pursued were one of three available Spurs in Marco Belinelli, Danny Green and Cory Joseph. Green and Bellinelli are both sharp shooting 3-point specialists and Joseph would have provided another youthful point guard who can defend.

Hind sight is 20-20 however, so the fact Morey was able to re-sign Beverley, Brewer, K.J. McDaniels and Jason Terry while adding Thornton and Lawson more than justifies his decisions.

Next: The One That Got Away?