Reports: Rockets audit potential deals surrounding their top superstars and suitors have already knocked their door
Multiple rumours/scenarios have been reported all these days, pointing out that the Houston Rockets audit meticulously all the potential deals they could make, so they can build something new, a new team with stars and potentially with contracts which won’t be as hefty as the ones that their superstars Russell Westbrook and James Harden have.
After a very disappointing season for Houston and the ensuing departures of their former head coach Mike D’Antoni and their former general manager Daryl Morey, along with the addition of a new coach who ‘’wasn’t picked’’ or wasn’t one of those that Harden and Westbrook desired, reporters alluded to the possibility that both would sooner or later enunciate their frustration and would ask to be dealt somewhere else. So what it is going on? Is it actually happening?
Nets Spencer Dinwiddie wants out? And how it connects with Rockets’ plans?
Recently, what has been talked in the media is the fact that Nets reserve point guard Spencer Dinwiddie has stated to the team that he wants out.
Dinwiddie wrote the following on Twitter: “I had the most fun years of my career playing for the Nets.” This tweet has created a sea of questions and trade scenarios and surely it has been connected to what is going on in Houston.
Furthermore, Jay Williams expressed on ESPN’s “Get Up!” that if the guard does not want to be with the Nets, then he could be included in a possible deal for a certain Houston Rockets star.
“I wouldn’t discount the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden,” Williams said. “The Brooklyn Nets have Spencer Dinwiddie — he’s been sending subliminal messages about not wanting to be in Brooklyn, he’s been out in LA for the last couple of months. They have Caris LeVert. They have a lot of assets. They wanna try to get Joe Harris back, but they have a lot of moving parts.”
“Kevin Durant and James Harden and Kyrie Irving together on the same team, that could be an interesting play, as well,” he added.
The Brooklyn Nets have engaged in talks with the Houston Rockets for a trade that encompasses James Harden for a variation of: Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, and Jarrett Allen. Nothing finalized yet, but Harden to Nets seems like a real possibility. If finalized, it will be announced on November 22nd.
However, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania hasn’t reported anything different regarding Houston’s star since tweeting Harden “remains committed to the Rockets and is ‘locked-in’ for the season.”
As I mentioned earlier, James Harden is not the only one who seems to head out of Houston. The name of Russell Westbrook has also been mixed in the conversations.
There are also multiple reports that mention Rockets’ desire to get rid of Westbrook’s heavy contract and they also indicate that teams such as the New York Knicks and the Charlotte Hornets have expressed their interest so far.
The Knicks have also kept an eye open on Chris Paul, who is in confabulation with Thunder general manager Sam Presti and both are working on a trade that will satisfy both sides.
If the Knicks acquire Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook, experts have presented the possibility that they will go after veterans when free-agency starts. However, the Knicks desire to remain patient and not to get urged to make a move that wouldn’t allow them to have enough capital to pursue another top player in case someone becomes available via trade.
James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the same team?
OOF. If we contemplate the fact that Nets aspire to have a spate of talent so they can compete during the upcoming season, one of their top priorities is to sign Joe Harris and bring him back to Brooklyn because he is definitely under the radar of multiple teams this offseason.
Let’s go back to the question though. Just envision James Harden, a colossal force offensively, next to another two top players who come out of injuries and feel ready to lead Nets to a very promising land. Kevin Durant didn’t play last season due to an Achilles injury that he suffered during Game 5 in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 10th 2019. He has fully recovered and can’t wait to play basketball at the top level. He won’t be the same beast that we saw during his time with the Golden State Warriors, but he will be able to ascribe near to this level. We all know that he has more to give. The game was missing him but now that he is back, all the eyes will be drifted to Brooklyn.
Guard Kyrie Irving, who had an operation on his ailing right shoulder in February, missed the rest of the regular season, but now he is back and ready for the challenge. We are talking about arguably the best dribbler in the game, a player with great footwork and I firmly believe that fans can’t wait to see him displaying his skills on the court.
Westbrook to the New York Knicks?
I don’t understand why Russell Westbrook is getting mixed with these teams. If the Rockets want to trade him — what can these teams offer? Like, imagine this: You have a player with a bad contract, we are talking about a star right? Why would you give him to a team which has nothing good to give back. The only scenario that kind of makes some sense is this: Rockets trade Westbrook to the Knicks for Julius Randle, Wayne Ellington and a draft pick or two.
One thing I know is that this offseason is not indifferent or at least it shouldn’t be, taking into account all the above.