With the lockout in the NBA for possibly the whole season, will Morey comeout looking like a genius? There is no surprise that Morey has stock piled picks from the 2009 Draft, was it cause he really liked it or for other reason??

It so happens that all the players from 2009 have team options in 2012-13 which the Rockets most likely not pick up. So did Morey trade for these players in order to shed salary with out too many people knowing. If there is a lockout, the Rockets dont have to pay Thabeet, Hill, Williams, and Flynn next season, then when the 12-13 season comes, all that money comes off the books and the Rockets are left with about $33 Million with Martin, Scola, Lowry and picking up the options on Patterson and Lee. There is also rookies to sign so it would be a little more.

Will this set up the Rockets to offer 2 max contracts to some like Chris Paul/Deron Williams and Dwight Howard? Its also still possible to trade Scola and get rid of an extra $9.4 Million since they would resign Patterson.

How good would a team be of Howard, Martin and Chris Paul?? Seems like a balanced team with inside and outside threats. A team like that would be almost a shoe-in in the Western Finals.

I know there is still the thing about they have to want to come here but there are several things the Rockets have in their favor. 1) With possibly lower max contracts, living in Texas with no state tax will be a big bonus. Also its way cheaper to live here. 2) You offer a big 3 with Martin already on the team. 3) Howard really likes Olajuwon and he can be the next great big man in Houston. 4) Rockets are in the West, where you dont have to go through the Heat to go to the Finals.

So will Morey's gamble of predicting no 2011-12 season and trying to get every 2009 draft pick pay off for future Rockets success?