Would you take these deals for the Rockets? Would the other teams bite? Would the resulting lineup be any good?
To Lakers: Kyle Lowery & Luis Scola
Lowery generally plays above his $5mil contract and is better than Sessions. Luis Scola should perform well as the Lakers 2nd or 3rd Scorer.
To Rockets: Pau Gasol
He could flourish under Kevin McCale's tutelage. A change of scenery and a honeymoon with new fans could return him to playoff form. I think the Lakers would take the deal because Gasol's value is down and they need to reload.
To Thunder: Courtney Lee, Patrick Patterson, Marcus Morris, Pick 14
The Thunder already have Westbrook and Durant as max players. They probably won't be able to hang onto Harden and Ibaka. Making them an offer that gives them young, talented and inexpensive players and a guy that can fill Harden's 6th man role with Courtney Lee should get them to bite.
To Rockets: James Harden
He puts up 20/10 off the bench. With starters minutes he could be the star the Rockets have been looking for.
To Nets: Kevin Martin, Pick 16
The Nets are stuck trying to hold onto Williams and Lopez. They can be stuck matching a max offer from the Rockets and possibly letting Williams walk or they can get pieces back in a sign and trade.
To Rockets: Brooks Lopez
The Rockets finally get a true center. A Gasol / Lopez front court with Dragic / Harden back court should be defensivly solid and have above average offense.
New Starting Line up
PG Gorin Dragic
SG James Harden
SF Chandler Parsons
PF Pau Gasol
C Brooks Lopez
Could this line up win in the West?
The Rockets would be trading away most of their depth, but they would get a budding star in Harden and two guys in Gasol and Lopez who under McCale's tutelage could become/return to stardom.
I would say that the Gasol trade is contingent on landing Lopez from the Nets or even Hibbert from the Pacers under similar terms.
Just landing Harden for Courtney Lee and pieces would be great.
Am I just dreaming up a video game trade?