Posted on February 19, 2014 at 4:26 pm by Jonathan Feigen
LOS ANGELES — While Rockets general manager Daryl Morey wore out his Blackberry batteries in Houston, Rockets players in Los Angeles were unusually unconcerned with his efforts.
At shootaround 24 hours before the Thursday trade deadline, Rockets players said there was less talk and concern about potential deals than in past seasons with the Rockets and with other teams.
Aaron Brooks and Francisco Garcia, who cannot be traded without their consent, said they have not been presented with options to move and were not interested in picking up more substantial roles elsewhere. Rockets guard James Harden advocated for stability and the value of continuity that can come with the Rockets rotation finally at full strength.
"We're pretty loose," Rockets guard Jeremy Lin said. "I think we're all at the point, we've had a lot of rumors all year. Whatever happens, happens, but we're pretty loose about it. There has not been much conversation about it this year."
The Rockets' ease with the deadline's uncertainty could be because the probability of a deal is smaller than in past seasons. A person with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking said Morey is seeking 'home run' deals, trades that are by definition less likely.
Even if he is to tweak –– and other persons familiar with the Rockets’ plans have said they would like to add a defensive-minded wing that can catch and shoot –– it has been difficult to make a trade work with the Rockets’ unwillingness to take back a contract beyond the 2015 off-season to merely fine tune and also unlikely to take a step back this season to acquire future assets.
Although the Rockets have all of their own first-round draft picks and a second-round pick from New York, they would not seem to have the sort of pieces teams –such as Boston if it is to move Rajon Rondo or Cleveland if trading Luol Deng –would want in a rebuilding effort if they were to give up a star player.
Morey has been clear that he believes the Rockets will need a third star, either from a trade or the development of current players. ESPN reported that the Rockets "covet" Rondo, but that talks with the Celtics have not been serious. USA Today reported that the teams have not talked about a Rondo deal at all.
All of that sent Morey into the final stretch before the deadline without a deal and players unusually unconcerned.
"It's kind of different," Garcia said. "Being in Sacramento, being on a (struggling) team, now we're winning. We're competing for a championship. Everybody is keeping the same spirit. All the guys have stayed passive. I haven't heard any talk about it."
