Kyle Lowry traded to Toronto for Future Protected Pick

[Fafnir]

I think Morey is sick of having the #14 pick. Being the top team outside of the playoffs.

He tried to make a move for a franchise player but he doesn't have the assets ... and now he is finally realizing he has to rebuild his team properly. He's blowing it up (I hope!).

If so Martin/Scola should be dealt as well.

[Snakehead]

I think Morey is sick of having the #14 pick. Being the top team outside of the playoffs.

He tried to make a move for a franchise player but he doesn't have the assets ... and now he is finally realizing he has to rebuild his team properly. He's blowing it up (I hope!).

I think this is exactly right.  The Dwight Howard stuff was the last ditch effort on draft night and it failed, so better not to be in the dreaded middle ground.

If you have to lose all your quality players that is too bad, but objectively the middle ground is the worst place to be if you really want to win a title.

[Who]

I think Morey is sick of having the #14 pick. Being the top team outside of the playoffs.

He tried to make a move for a franchise player but he doesn't have the assets ... and now he is finally realizing he has to rebuild his team properly. He's blowing it up (I hope!).

If so Martin/Scola should be dealt as well.

Definitely -- it sounds like he is trying to move them. Both players are on the trading block. So good signs.

[Lucky17]

Lowry
DeRozan
Fields
Bargs
Valanciunas

Not quite as good as a Nash-led squad, but I think they could be a playoff-caliber team in the East. Will have to see what happens to Calderon and Bayless. Could be more talent added through trades.

If Howard is gone from Orlando they could take that spot, but I think the Bucks are going to be better.

Bucks should definitely be better. Atlanta may slide a bit, though.

Why are the Bucks going to be better?

Their main problems last year were scoring, chemistry, and injuries. Now: no distracting dysfunction from an unhappy Jackson, full season of Monta Ellis, a healthy center in Sam Dalembert, healthier Mbah a Moute, a stable of young and promising forwards/centers.

Need to resign Ilyasova, or get a good return for him if the Bucks are outbid.

[KGs Knee]

Sounds like a decent deal for Houston.  Got rid of an average player for a "guaranteed lottery pick".

I guess the only gamble is if Toronto doesn't miss the playoffs over the next 7 years (I'm assuming the normal time limit applies here).  Not a big gamble obviously.

[Rondo2287]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
The Rockets and Raptors are working on something "innovative," source says, with lottery protection on 1st round pick returning to Houston.

[KGs Knee]

I think Morey is sick of having the #14 pick. Being the top team outside of the playoffs.

He tried to make a move for a franchise player but he doesn't have the assets ... and now he is finally realizing he has to rebuild his team properly. He's blowing it up (I hope!).

If so Martin/Scola should be dealt as well.

I'd trade them Bass for Scola just for the improved rebounding potential.  Maybe not as good on D though.

[Lucky17]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
The Rockets and Raptors are working on something "innovative," source says, with lottery protection on 1st round pick returning to Houston.

David Stern is just waiting to break out his "basketball reasons" veto hammer again.

[Who]

Lowry
DeRozan
Fields
Bargs
Valanciunas

Not quite as good as a Nash-led squad, but I think they could be a playoff-caliber team in the East. Will have to see what happens to Calderon and Bayless. Could be more talent added through trades.

If Howard is gone from Orlando they could take that spot, but I think the Bucks are going to be better.

Bucks should definitely be better. Atlanta may slide a bit, though.

Why are the Bucks going to be better?

Their main problems last year were scoring, chemistry, and injuries. Now: no distracting dysfunction from an unhappy Jackson, full season of Monta Ellis, a healthy center in Sam Dalembert, healthier Mbah a Moute, a stable of young and promising forwards/centers.

Need to resign Ilyasova, or get a good return for him if the Bucks are outbid.

Dysfunctional backcourt. Uninspiring SF rotation. Dalembert was a nice addition but is clearly declining. Ilyasova is a nice player at PF but may be more suited to a bench role than a starter's gig.

Not sure a single player in their starting lineup is a better than average player at their position. Not sure any of them are even average (maybe Jennings?). Weak looking bench.

That roster doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me.

[celtsfan84]

Lowry
DeRozan
Fields
Bargs
Valanciunas

Not quite as good as a Nash-led squad, but I think they could be a playoff-caliber team in the East. Will have to see what happens to Calderon and Bayless. Could be more talent added through trades.

If Howard is gone from Orlando they could take that spot, but I think the Bucks are going to be better.

Bucks should definitely be better. Atlanta may slide a bit, though.

Why are the Bucks going to be better?

Their main problems last year were scoring, chemistry, and injuries. Now: no distracting dysfunction from an unhappy Jackson, full season of Monta Ellis, a healthy center in Sam Dalembert, healthier Mbah a Moute, a stable of young and promising forwards/centers.

Need to resign Ilyasova, or get a good return for him if the Bucks are outbid.

Dysfunctional backcourt. Uninspiring SF rotation. Dalembert was a nice addition but is clearly declining. Ilyasova is a nice player at PF but may be more suited to a bench role than a starter's gig.

Not sure a single player in their starting lineup is a better than average player at their position. Not sure any of them are even average (maybe Jennings?). Weak looking bench.

That roster doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me.

All that is true, but it is still better than last year's roster.  Last year they were only 4 games out of the playoffs.   Pull Atlanta down, pull Orlando down, get an injury or two in their favor, and I could see them as a 7 or 8 seed getting trounced in Round 1 . . . or taking us to 7, because that's how we roll.

Jennings/Ellis/Mbah A Moute/Gooden/Dalembert
Udrih/Dunleavy/Udoh/Henson

Not much worse, if worse at all, than what Philadelphia has.

[nickagneta]

Toronto doesn't have to worry about that guarantee. They will be able to pay off that lottery pick next year. That team is awful, even with all the changes.

[jgod213]

PG - Livingston
SG - Martin/Lamb
SF - Parsons/Jones
PF - Scola/White/Patterson/Leuer/Brockman
C  - /Greg Smith

Wow.  Talk about a lineup in turmoil.  Looks inevidible that Mrtin & Scola will need to be moved as they desperately need a center and PG.

I feel like this team probably needs to bring Camby back to bring some stability to the front court.  Too much of a log jam at PF, i don't see how Scola stays.  Martin's contract is very moveable.

[Lucky17]

Sounds like Morey is reaching out to Aaron Brooks' camp.

[jgod213]

Sounds like Morey is reaching out to Aaron Brooks' camp.

I think that's a smart play.  Brooks is behind Dragic and Marshall in PHO.  I don't think the suns would be inclined to match anything.

[mctyson]

Calderon coming over as a stop gap?

Strange the Rockets are doing this before they find out if the Knicks match on Lin.

My guess is that because the Nash deal fell through, they figure NYK will do a very Knicksy-thing and match that ridiculous offer.