I'm really going to miss Shane Battier.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets decided to send Battier to his original team -- the Memphis Grizzlies -- in exchange for Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick.
This might be one of the first times that Daryl Morey has had to effectively settle for a lesser deal. Thabeet is the epitome of a project -- perhaps even rawer -- and the first-rounder, unless it comes from a third party, will likely be just outside the lottery. But who knows, perhaps Thabeet will somehow get it. We're going to have to be incredibly patient with him. Think Jordan Hill x1000.
I'm content with this, as the Rockets needed to get SOMETHING for Battier before his contract expired. Just hate to lose one of the better guys in the league.
Let's also be clear about something: Rick Adelman would probably bring his son RJ off the bench before he decided to give Terrence Williams more playing time in Battier's absence. I hope I'm wrong.
Hey, look: as I am writing this, it appears that the Rockets just sent Aaron Brooks to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Goran Dragic and a first round pick. That's more like it. I've always liked Dragic, and to get a comparable package back for Brooks -- not to mention a point guard who is used to coming off the bench -- that's a good haul.
More to come, on both fronts.
UPDATE: Ish Smith will be joining Battier in Memphis, and the Rockets nearly landed Mo Speights from Philly.
UPDATE 2: DeMarre Carroll coming to Houston in Memphis deal, to make money match, per Feigen.
Also, should these picks all be for this upcoming draft, I'm a little skeptical about stockpiling for a predictably miserable crop. But maybe we'll trade like, four of our picks for Jared Sullinger. Just kidding. But maybe.