This is a question I had been thinking about this week. Both teams now are in a rebuild phase. The Rockets traded away their veteran players to create a rebuilding package they thought the Magic would like. As it turned out they preferred a package consisting of several players from Denver, LA and Philly along with their picks.

So it seems fitting to ask, was the Rockets package better? I don’t know how to measure it better than with wins and ultimately, playoff appearances. Let’s look at possible starting line ups and depth charts for next season.

Rockets:

PG: Lin / Livingston

SG: Martin / Lamb

SF: Parsons / Delfino

PF: Patterson / Jones / White

C: Asik / D-Mo

Magic:

PG: Nelson / Ish Smith

SG: Afflalo / JJ Redick

SF: Hedo / Moe Harkless

PF: Harrington / Davis

C: Gustavo Ayon / Nikola Vucevic

Orlando has a veteran starting line up minus the center position. Harrington could slide in there and have Davis start at the PF. Then have Nikola or Ayon backing up Harrington.

In Houston, you know what you are getting in the starting 2 and 3 spot. Patterson and Asik have not been starters for a full season so you dont know if their numbers will translate as well. Lin proved he has the game to play of the biggest stage but can he keep it up all year?

In the end, both teams are likely to miss the playoffs this year, but looking ahead, who's core gets them to the playoffs first?