:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5729949/20120228_jel_ac6_336.jpg)
Look at this, just... look at it. You tell me what to think about it. You decide.
It's been real
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) June 25, 2012
What, that's it? Do you know what you're doing with my fragile, fragile soul? Do you even know how loaded that sounds? Do you?! COME ON.
We'll be waiting with you to find out why Kyle is sharing contextless semi-drunk tweets with the world, but let's be real, you really want to believe this signals a trade. Not because you want to see Lowry leave (or maybe you do), but instead because you're just really, really intrigued and you want something big to happen to this franchise. You really want that, don't ignore it.
If Lowry goes, this is Goran Dragic's team. It also likely reels in for the Rockets a very nice draft pick. But let's not jump to conclusions yet. Let's calm down. Breathe in.... and breathe-I SWEAR TO GOD KYLE IF YOU'RE NOT BEING SERIOUS WITH ME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS.
I guess I'm intrigued mostly because this is by far the sketchiest thing Lowry has tweeted. He usually keeps it pretty light and fluffy. Oh boy.
UPDATE (9:47 pm):
ESPN is holding the candy in the air and we just. cant. reach it.
Published ten minutes ago: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/46492/rockets-set-sights-on-moving-up-in-draft
Although sources stressed that no deal is imminent, Sacramento (No. 5) and Toronto (No. 8 ) have let Houston know that their top-10 selections are available. Sources say that the Rockets, in turn, have made both of their first-round picks available (No. 14 and No. 16), but the key to any trade going through could be point guard Kyle Lowry.
... What's clear from the Rockets' end, sources say, is the player they're fondest of in the upper reaches of the draft: UConn big man Andre Drummond.
UPDATE 2 (11:58): Same article as before, from Ford/Stein:
Upon hearing of Sunday night's developments, one rival general manager told ESPN.com that he believes Houston's real aim is acquiring two top-10 picks this week to turn around quickly and offer both to the Orlando Magic as part of a considerable trade offer for Dwight Howard.
The Rockets' willingness to trade for Howard -- even without the All-Star center's signature on a contract extension -- is an open secret around the league. But it's believed that two top-eight picks, assuming Houston managed to complete trades with both Sacramento and Toronto, would seriously pique the interest of new Magic general manager Rob Hennigan, who could then quickly start following the same sort of roster-building blueprint relied on by his previous employers in Oklahoma City.
Acquiring those early lottery picks, though, only represents half of Houston's challenge if Howard is indeed the Rockets' target. The other hurdle is convincing Hennigan, who hasn't even been on the job for a week in Central Florida, to part with Howard so quickly. As much as he's been schooled in building through the draft while working alongside Thunder GM Sam Presti, Hennigan could opt to take a more measured approach, make one more run at trying to convince Howard to sign an extension before entering the final year of his contract and then trade him later in the summer if those efforts go nowhere.