The Dream Shake - Rockets swing three way deal, landing Thomas RobinsonThe best footwork on the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/34031/32x32.png2013-02-21T10:11:52-06:00http://www.thedreamshake.com/rss/stream/37752512013-02-21T10:11:52-06:002013-02-21T10:11:52-06:00Rockets unlikely to flip Thomas Robinson
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<p>The Rockets were rumored to be considering flipping Thomas Robinson last night, but it appears as though those reports were nothing more than speculation.</p> <p>When the Rockets acquired Thomas Robinson from the Kings, there were quickly murmurs in cyberspace of a potential second deal to flip Robinson to another team. With the Rockets' <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/21/4012938/nba-trade-rumors-rockets-back-in-mix-for-josh-smith" target="_blank">purported interest</a> in Josh Smith, most people jumped to speculation that Robinson could headline the deal, giving the Rockets a centerpiece to attract Atlanta.</p>
<p>This morning, there have been numerous reports that the Rockets could not trade Robinson before the deadline, and though they legally could under the CBA, it appears that it would be a logistical nightmare given the need to conduct physicals. Regardless, Jonathan Feigen reports that flipping Robinson was never the Rockets' intent.</p>
<p>Here's what Feigen had to say:</p>
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<p>Still talk about Rockets flipping Robinson? Not the plan at all. Besides, physicals must be done, don't even start until after the deadline.</p>
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/304621645912477696">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>For now, it appears as though the Rockets are content to have Thomas Robinson around as the power forward of the future. Leaving Robinson out of trade discussions does not eliminate them completely from the Josh Smith sweepstakes, but it does make it much more difficult.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/21/4013324/nba-trade-rumors-houston-rockets-unlikely-flip-thomas-robinsonPatrick Harrel2013-02-20T22:19:00-06:002013-02-20T22:19:00-06:00Thomas Robinson sounds off on joining the Rockets
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<p>Thomas Robinson got a chance to discuss joining the Rockets, and he sounds excited to be here.</p> <p>Mark Berman had a chance to talk to Thomas Robinson about joining the Rockets, and it certainly sounds like Robinson's excited to have a chance to become a premier player in Houston.</p>
<p>Here are the soundbites:</p>
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<p>Forward Thomas Robinson on trade to Rockets: "I'm excited for a fresh start. I'm just ready to make the best of my opportunity in Houston."</p>
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/304437680895307776">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>Thomas Robinson says he'll bring Houston: "play hard, rebound, develop on the offensive side, try to make my teammates better around me."</p>
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/304438795418349569">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>More Thomas Robinson:"It's big. I have a winning mentality.Going to a team that has a chance to fight 4 a playoff spot, it's definitely big"</p>
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/304439690507980800">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>More Thomas Robinson: "I have a lot more to show as a player. I am excited to come to Houston and get the opportunity to show my talent."</p>
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/304440550176718849">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>Thomas Robinson on shot to play more in Houston:"I'm at a loss for words. It's all I wanted from the git-go.I'm going 2 make the best of it"</p>
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/304441855154741249">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>Robinson has certainly had his struggles in his rookie season, but it's worth noting that he has been jerked around in a dysfunctional Sacramento Kings "system" with no stable playing time and no clear idea where he stands. Now, he's going to have a shot at a starting spot and consistent time on the floor, and he'll be coached by one of the best in the business in Kevin McHale.</p>
<p>This isn't to say that Robinson will come into Houston and become a 13 and 10 guy off the bat, but he certainly has a shot to be an elite rebounder for a long time. This was not a move made for today, but rather to extract long term value out of a very promising player.</p>
<p>Robinson's excited to be a Rocket, the Rockets are clearly thrilled to have him, and the only people left scratching their heads are Sacramento fans. Although I imagine that Kings' fans wouldn't mind too much losing Robinson in the scheme of things if they were just allowed to keep their team. Because, FTM.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011922/nba-trade-deadline-2013-thomas-robinson-houston-rocketsPatrick Harrel2013-02-20T22:06:36-06:002013-02-20T22:06:36-06:00Morey Continues Coup
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<p>The Houston Rockets GM broke his word on a quiet trade deadline by acquiring Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia, and Tyler Honeycutt. </p> <p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center">Well, ladies and gentlemen, Daryl Morey has yet again given us reason to doubt the words that come out of his mouth. Consequently in doing so he has also given us even more reason (As though any more was needed) to have nothing but faith in the holy son who came to redeem our Rockets and take on the sins of Carrol Dawson. Consider that all the rumblings were a quiet trade deadline for the Rockets. Daryl himself tempered expectations telling fans to expect work in the offseason... But then... Daryl Morey just pulled off a deal that, I believe, will settle him at the top of the list for greatest GMs in the NBA/Rockets organization. In less than a year Daryl Morey has acquired a former 3<sup>rd</sup> pick franchise player in James Harden, the 5<sup>th</sup> player from this year's draft at a critical position for this club (PF) in Thomas Robinson, and established a core that will see this team for a minimum of five years going forward. Let's go to school and see just what happened based off the trades today.</p>
<p>First, we have to look at the deals performed today as they occurred. Marcus Morris to Phoenix for a 2<sup>nd</sup> round draft pick. Not to be content with collecting second round picks that are as good as gold in his hands Morey decided to have a chat with the Sacramento Kings. The result of that call was Thomas Robinson (3.7 million club option in 2014), Francisco Garcia (Club Option in 2013 at 6.14 million), and Tyler Honeycutt (100k guaranteed next season) to Houston for Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, and Toney Douglas.</p>
<p>Marcus Morris was a former 14<sup>th</sup> pick of the Houston Rockets and was widely declared a dumpster fire heading into this season. He proved he was capable on the floor to warrant some minutes but his play became spotty. To me, Phoenix's involvement here was two fold. First, they clearly enjoy Rockets leftovers. Second, Phoenix is like a concerned pet owner and saw that littermates were separate and needed to reunite them. It only cost them a second round pick to do it so I honestly skew this trade in favor of the Suns. This cleared cap space and gave the Rockets an inconsequential pick that showed mindfulness towards the cap this coming summer. There really is no reason to delve into this deal because the Rockets sent out a bench player for a second round pick and there's no incoming production to analyze for it.</p>
<p>Let's talk about the big trade. Where Morey took the former 14<sup>th</sup> pick Patrick Patterson along with some fringe castoffs (Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas) who may or may not have a future in the NBA beyond their current contracts into the fifth pick in the NBA draft, a back up PG/SG, and a pipe cleaner of a SF. The storyline about this whole situation is that the Rockets were actively pursuing the King's pick on draft night and that came up all for naught, apparently Morey doesn't take no for an answer. Sacramento made this deal kicking and screaming the whole way (Per Twitter that the Kings did not want to have to make the deal but it ultimately went through), make no mistake about it. Thomas Robinson's top-5 salary along with Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt had to be moved because the team is in financial slashing mode. Per Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter the Seattle group looking to purchase the Kings was briefed on the deal. You can't possibly believe that the potential buyer group in Seattle gives its blessing for the deal without knowing that they want to buy low on the Kings and build the franchise once they relocate. I'll catch flack about it because of citing the sale last time but the writing is on the wall, the Kings had to make this fire sale move in order to sell the franchise.</p>
<p>Now, you may ask, how is it a fire sale to move a rookie averaging 5 points and 5 rebounds and only 15 minutes a game? The short answer is that you cannot really assign too much negative attention and press to a player's production in Sacramento. The ownership, the question marks over the club's future, and the volatile concoction of talent on hand in the organization makes you doubt its ability to rear talent, let alone under a team mentality. Thomas Robinson was considered the safe pick in the draft, a 6'10" beast of a man. The Rockets picked up a player with amazing athleticism, a quality all around game, and great rebounding and defensive instincts. Houston, your long-term solution at the four has been solved. One can't help but get excited at the idea that a guy with all the raw talent of Thomas Robinson now has the chance to work with Kevin McHale on his post play. Not only did we solve our power forward situation by removing Morris and Patterson (Placing an impetus on the use of Motiejunas and Jones as back up centers and power forwards) but we received a back up shooting guard for James Harden. Tyler Honeycutt becomes the new human victory cigar for the Rockets as a rail thin 6'8" Shooting guard/Small forward.</p>
<p>It's important to note that the Rockets freed up cap space with this deal for next summer, about 1.2 million as Patrick Harrel covered in his initial write up. What this move does is set the Rockets long term if they decide not to make any further moves. The trade deadline is set to hit at 3:00 PM EST. There are some questions as to whether or not Robinson gets flipped for Josh Smith but with any luck we won't see that. The Rockets are embroiled in the playoff hunt but happily enough they just got a guy who I think will be better than Josh Smith and plays a similar game with the addition of a mid-range game. You don't move that, on a cheaper deal, just to downgrade what's coming to the table. Further, the Rockets just cleared out the bloat at the power forward position, acquired legitimate depth and scoring on the second unit via Francisco Garcia, and improved their lot to begin adding depth players in the off season.</p>
<p>Does this mean the Rockets will take a swing at a guy like Dwight Howard? Possibly but it would relegate Asik to a back up center role again and do we really want that? I think what Houston did today was address all their issues, provide a long term solution at the PF for all the things that were needed, got an integral piece of an even younger core, preserved cap space this summer to fill depth or retain their flexibility, and even (as of writing this) dropped the Oklahoma City Thunder while shorthanded. I want to leave you with this lineup going forward so that you're drooling as hard as I am:</p>
<p><b>Jeremy Lin/James Harden/Chandler Parsons/Thomas Robinson/Omer Asik.</b></p>
<p>My friends, I'm wholly convinced this lineup in two to three years time can see a championship here in Houston. I will stake my non-existent reputation at this site on it.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011900/daryl-morey-continues-his-year-to-rememberBD342013-02-20T20:47:32-06:002013-02-20T20:47:32-06:00Kings made deal solely to "cut costs"
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<p>Marc J. Spears gives us the least surprising news of the day on the Kings' motivations for making a deal with the Rockets.</p> <p>In a shocker, Marc J. Spears lets us know a little bit about the Kings' motivations for trading Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia, and Tyler Honeycutt to the Rockets for Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas, Cole Aldrich, and CASH MONEY.</p>
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<p>Kings move was all about cutting costs and not something management enjoyed doing, a source said.</p>
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/304413445732847616">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>If you hadn't heard, the Maloofs are cheap. Like super cheap. Also, generally awful people. In this deal, they lower their payroll commitments for the year and take home some money in the process. Given that they'll only own the team until either Sacramento reaches a deal with them or Chris Hansen gets his deal approved, they have little stake in the long-term well-being of the team.</p>
<p>As Morey has a propensity for doing, he took advantage of a good situation, landing a top five pick just eight months after the draft for a reasonably low price. Let's celebrate, and leave the Maloof lamenting to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sactownroyalty.com">Sactown Royalty</a>.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011540/sacramento-kings-trade-houston-rockets-cutting-costsPatrick Harrel2013-02-20T20:02:59-06:002013-02-20T20:02:59-06:00Full Analysis of Robinson acquisition
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<p>The Rockets swung a huge move on Wednesday night. Here's an analysis of both the financial and the basketball implications of the deal.</p> <p>In a deal that seemingly materialized out of nowhere, the Rockets have acquired Thomas Robinson in a three team deal that sends Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, and Toney Douglas out of town. Here's the complete breakdown:</p>
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<p><i>Rockets send out: Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas, cash considerations</i></p>
<p><i>Rockets receive: Thomas Robinson, Phoenix 2013 2nd Round Pick</i></p>
<p><i>Suns send out: 2013 2nd Round Pick</i></p>
<p><i>Suns receive: Marcus Morris</i></p>
<p><i>Kings send out: Thomas Robinson</i></p>
<p><i>Kings receive: Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas, cash considerations</i></p>
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<p>Well, that was quick. Just a few hours after McHale and Morey both declared that they expected little at the trade deadline, the Rockets swung a major multi-team deal and landed a serious power forward prospect for the future. Let's break it down piece by piece.</p>
<h4>Financial Implications</h4>
<p>In this deal, the Rockets take on an additional $800,000 in salary for this season, taking the salary into their cap space. However, they still have more than $6 million in cap space this season, the most in the league. Moving forward, however, this helps the team this summer.</p>
<p>After Fransisco Garcia's team option is declined and Tyler Honeycutt is let go, the Rockets will have saved themselves more than $1.6 million in salary this summer. It doesn't seem like much, but it could prove to be very important. Without making this trade, the Rockets would have to waive Carlos Delfino and still make some minor deals to free up cap space if they wanted to present Dwight Howard with a max offer. Now, they may still have to do a little wrangling with the cap, but they have a lot less work to do to reach that $20 million under the cap figure.</p>
<p>In short, the Rockets are still in position to help teams over the luxury tax line this season and help themselves this summer with regards to cap room. Well done, Mr. Morey.</p>
<h4>On the Court Implications</h4>
<p>Patrick Patterson is everyone's favorite punching bag, but he was having an under the radar nice season for the Rockets, settling into a groove now that he's healthy. Still, he's an average defensive player who struggles on the boards and if one of Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, or Thomas Robinson develop like they should, the Rockets will forget all about him.</p>
<p>Marcus Morris, Toney Douglas, and Cole Aldrich are all replacement level players. The Rockets have been developing point guards like it's their job the last few years, and Patrick Beverley gives them just as much if not more than Douglas did this year. </p>
<p>On the other side, the Rockets now give their young power forwards a chance to shine with more playing time. Thomas Robinson will presumably slip into the starting power forward role, but Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones will both have a chance see more consistent minutes than they did in the early season.</p>
<p>Thomas Robinson has struggled as a rookie and hasn't gotten consistent traction off the bench for the Kings, but he's still the fifth overall pick from last year's draft and a tremendous rebounder. To write off him after such a short period would be silly. With consistent playing time, he should show the flashes more and more that made him a top five pick.</p>
<p>For the fans that have been thirsting to see Motiejunas and Jones, it's a breath of fresh air. Motiejunas gave us signs of what he could become in a thirteen point second half in the last game before the All-Star Break, and Terrence Jones has shown us he can do<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQlbO8oX7M4" target="_blank"> this</a>.</p>
<p>Additionally, Fransisco Garcia will come in and give the Rockets another veteran shooter that can space the floor and fill it up from deep. After Carlos Delfino, the Rockets' young bench has sometimes struggled, and having one more veteran as a stabilizing force will be big for the young unit.</p>
<p>Regardless, Patterson was a steady player and his loss will set the Rockets back temporarily at the power forward spot. There is a tendency to overvalue young players and undervalue consistent contributions, and ignoring the fact that Patterson helped the Rockets this season would be an oversight.</p>
<p>So yes, the Rockets may not be as good in the first few games because of the loss of Patterson, but they have made some serious upgrades.</p>
<h4>Bottom Line</h4>
<p>The Rockets potentially added an impact player for the future, cleared a roster logjam, and improved their cap situation for the future, all without giving up a major piece. Losing Patterson hurts, but the Rockets did well to get Thomas Robinson for so little.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011278/trade-analysis-rockets-acquire-thomas-robinson-in-three-team-stunnerPatrick Harrel2013-02-20T19:07:14-06:002013-02-20T19:07:14-06:00Rockets acquire Thomas Robinson from Kings
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<p>The Rockets have apparently landed Thomas Robinson from the Kings in a three-way deal that sends out Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Marcus Morris, and Toney Douglas.</p> <p>Some 8 months after unsuccessfully trying to move up to the fifth spot in the draft, the Rockets have landed the player the Kings took with the pick, Thomas Robinson. In a three way deal that sees Marcus Morris, Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas, and Cole Aldrich all leaving town, the Rockets have managed to potentially land their power forward of the future and shake up the entire trade deadline.</p>
<p>Adrian Wojnarowski of Y! Sports had the first report:</p>
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<p>Sacramento has traded forward Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets, league source tells Y Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304393671179116544">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>The Rockets will send Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas to the Kings for Thomas Robinson, sources tell Y!</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304395081090224128">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>Well, that escalated quickly. In an apparent three way trade, the Rockets will send out Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns, Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, and Toney Douglas to the Kings, and receive Thomas Robinson, Tyler Honeycutt, Fransisco Garcia and a Phoenix second round pick.</p>
<p>In one move, Daryl Morey has apparently cleared the decks of a power forward logjam, cleared a roster spot, opened up even more cap space for this year and next, and picked up a pair of assets. Wow. It's not any sort of blockbuster, but it definitely shakes up this roster.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011174/houston-rockets-acquire-thomas-robinson-from-sacramento-kings-inPatrick Harrel2013-02-20T18:43:18-06:002013-02-20T18:43:18-06:00Marcus Morris reportedly on the move
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<p>With their first move of the trade deadline, the Rockets have reportedly decided to trade Marcus Morris.</p> <p>According to numerous reports, the Houston Rockets have decided to trade Marcus Morris and are holding him out of tonight's game as they weigh two deals for the second year power forward. With that, it appears that the first domino of the trade deadline has fallen.</p>
<p>Here's Marc Stein's report on the situation:</p>
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<p>Word is Rockets have decided to trade Marcus Morris and deciding between two deals</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/304382972860182529">February 21, 2013</a>
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<p>Well, here we go. At this moment, the return and the details of the two deals discussed haven't been broken, but when they are, we'll let you know.</p>
<p>What's interesting about this reported deal is that it likely clears a spot for Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas to enter the rotation and get some serious minutes at the power forward spot. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported yesterday that the Rockets were looking to move Terrence Jones for a draft pick, but this trade likely makes a move like that a lot less likely.</p>
<p>The fact is that Morris was a nice stretch four who worked well in the offense but was not ever going to be much more than replacement level. He was a hard worker and definitely grew in his second season, but losing him is not going to do much to hurt the Rockets moving forward. With four seemingly qualified players at one spot, it made sense to trim a bit of fat and get an asset in return.</p>
<p>As we noted <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DreamShakeSBN/status/304364410850385922">on twitter today</a>, the Rockets' roster is full at 15 and they'd have to waive or trade a player if they were to take on salary in the form of a Richard Hamilton-like dump at the deadline. Clearing that spot ahead of time makes a lot of sense and gives Morey a much easier job at the trade deadline.</p>
<p>Finally, making this deal opens up some $2 million that Morris would be owed in 2013-14 that the Rockets can now spend on free agency. Given that the Rockets would need to make some minor changes to get far enough under the cap to make a max offer, getting the space cleared ahead of time could pay dividends if the Rockets get much for Morris.</p>
<p>Regardless, it's time to get strapped in and enjoy the ride that is the NBA Trade Deadline. This is just the beginning.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2013/2/20/4011082/houston-rockets-reportedly-close-to-trading-marcus-morrisPatrick Harrel