The Houston Rockets are playing the waiting game. The team gave Dwight Howard everything had in a sales pitch to the free agent, now they await the anticipated decision. The Rockets will likely not make any more moves until Howard announces his new team. However, there are plenty of rumors swirling that both Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik will get traded to make room for Howard. General manager Daryl Morey denies the idea.
Morey spoke with the Houston Chronicle about all things free agency, which means he only spoke about Howard and how great it will be when the center joins the team. In fact, Howard is the reason both Lin and Asik will likely remain with the team.
"Both with Omer and Jeremy, we feel like they're good fits for Dwight. Omer with Dwight would give us the best centers in the league in combination. Jeremy is an attacking guard, great in pick-and-roll, a great fit with shooting and attacking guards. Harden is great at both. That's why he's an All-Star," Morey said.
Morey is correct that Howard would make an excellent pick-and-roll big man. He shot better than 70 percent in that roll last season. Howard will also dominate around the basket as a true center. If the Rockets hold on toe Lin and Asik, plus sign Howard and Josh Smith, there could still be issues. Of course they would be great as a defensive team, but the offense would struggle. Howard and Smith would take up space and clog the driving lanes of James Harden and Lin. Both would be forced outside to take jump shots they cannot make (looking at you, Smith). Smith and Howard are equally two of the weaker free throw shooters in the league.
The Rockets and Morey are sounding extremely confident they have Howard all-but signed at this point. If Howard does in fact leave for Houston, the team's next move will be to release several players to make room for Howard's max deal and organize a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks to get Smith.
Morey remained in Los Angeles after meeting with Howard to have a sit down with Smith. He told the free agent of the team's plans and the hope they had of signing both he and Howard. If Howard goes elsewhere, the Rockets will still likely sign Smith to a contract.
Will Lin and Asik still be on the team when all that is complete? That remains to be seen. Morey's words are certainly nice, but only if his actions echo them.
