After missing the Rockets‘ first playoff series with a dislocated right shoulder, Luc Mbah a Moute hopes to be ready today when his team opens the Western Conference semifinals against the Jazz, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. On Saturday, Mbah a Moute went through his first full practice since the injury and believes he will be able to play.
“I’m ready in my mind,” said Mbah a Moute, who also suffered a dislocated shoulder in December. “I’ve done this already, so I’m not used to it, but I pretty much know what to expect.”
Officially listed as questionable, Mbah a Moute has been an impact player since coming to Houston in free agency last summer. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game and has the best defensive numbers among the Rockets’ rotation players.
There’s more news today out of Texas:
- P.J. Tucker, Houston’s other key free agent addition, has a lot of similarities with former Rocket Mario Elie, notes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. A member of the city’s two championship teams of the 1990s, Elie was known for his toughness and versatility, two qualities that define Tucker. “I just love his demeanor,” Elie said. “He’s like me. He’s angry on the court and that’s how he should be. He has no friends out there. He just competes. And what I like about him, is he guards multiple positions. That what he does that I really like, just like I did.”
- The Mavericks could be indirect beneficiaries of LeBron James‘ free agency, suggests Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. No matter where James ends up, a team will likely have to unload a significant salary, which Dallas is in position to absorb. The Mavericks could wind up with Clint Capela from the Rockets, Robert Covington from the Sixers or Julius Randle from the Lakers, or if James stays in Cleveland, Dallas could pursue Pelicans free agent DeMarcus Cousins.
- The focus in San Antonio will be on Kawhi Leonard this summer, but the Spurs have plenty of free agent concerns, states Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. If Danny Green opts out, Deveney expects him to get offers of $12MM to $14MM per year for three to four seasons, which may be higher than the Spurs are willing to go. It’s also doubtful that they would commit to an expensive long-term deal for Rudy Gay if he opts out.
Zero chance Rockets move Capela.
There’s actually a good chance
If you actually followed the Rockets, you’d know he is the key to the offense and makes the iso ball possible. he is not going anywhere.
As much as I would love for the Mavs to get Capela, I agree that the Rockets need to hang on to him. Was at the game Houston clinched against Minnesota. Capela and Harden we’re feeding off each other. He is a great player and I’ll go as far as saying he is more important than CP to Houston.
Bingo. He is the reason the pick and roll is so successful.
CP is pretty key too. And Ariza, Moute. Hope the new owner is willing to lose money!
Zero chance Danny Green gets 12-14M a year.
Yeah, I’m struggling to see where this would come from. His down performance this year aside, there are fewer teams with the cash.
PG – Smith Jr
SG – Curry / Ferrell
SF – Barnes / Finney-Smith
PF – Bagley or Jackson / Motley / Kleber
C – Randle / Powell
That would be a solid and really young core group with only Curry older than 26. Would love to see Randle fall into our laps like this.