The Rockets’ latest moves prior to the trade deadline were mainly designed to open up a roster spot and find another piece on the buyout market, GM Daryl Morey told the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen (Twitter link). The Rockets also wanted to “create flexibility now and down the road,” Morey said.
The Rockets were involved in a three-way deal with the Kings and Cavaliers in which they shipped out Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss and acquired Iman Shumpert, Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin. They soon traded Stauskas and Baldwin to the Pacers and dealt James Ennis to the Sixers without receiving any players in return.
We have more on potential moves from around the league:
- The Spurs will be searching for a wing player via the buyout market, Jabari Young of The Athletic tweets. They have mainly relied on journeymen Marco Belinelli, Quincy Pondexter and Dante Cunningham as backups to leading scorer DeMar DeRozan and Bryn Forbes.
- Power forward Derrick Favors is glad he wasn’t traded by the Jazz, Tony Jones of The Athletic tweets. Favors was reportedly part of the package Utah offered to Memphis in its failed attempt to acquire point guard Mike Conley. He is likely to be a free agent this summer since his $16.9MM salary for next season is not guaranteed unless he remains on the roster through July 6th. “I’m happy I’m still here,” he said. “I’m glad this is over, and now I can focus on basketball.”
- Bulls players were sad to see power forward Bobby Portis go to the Wizards, Mark Strotman of NBC Sports Chicago reports. Portis was part of the package Chicago shipped to Washington for forward Otto Porter Jr. Though Portis had a much-publicized altercation with former teammate Nikola Mirotic early last season, he was regarded as an emotional leader by the players on the current roster. “Bobby’s pretty much the main glue of the team, a big-time voice,” shooting guard Zach LaVine said. “It (stinks). He’s one of my best friends on the team.”
The Bulls were 12-42 with Portis and Zach LaVine’s sad he’s gone. Hate this team so much.
Yep, I was thinking the same thing
Doesn’t mean they are going to win with Otto either.
Yeah, with a headcase like Portis being described as the “glue” and a leader of the team, with another leader in LaVine, seemingly unhappy about everything, with a head coach that’s running the team like they’re stuck in the 70’s, and with the worst possible front office in professional sports in Forman and Paxson..IT IS NO WONDER this franchise is stuck in a terrible nightmare..
Even with some good, quality young talent to build around, and a definitive top 4-5 upcoming lottery pick, there isn’t a single good free agent that’s coming anywhere near Chicago!!!
They have Markkanen, Carter Jr., LaVine, Porter, Dunn, and to a lesser extent Hutchinson and Valentine as pieces this team can build around. That’s even excluding the possibility of the Bulls maybe landing Zion, Barret Jr., or Ja Morant…That’s a pretty solid young nucleus to build from, but until they get rid of their inept F.O., and actually hire a quality coach, they’re NOT going to be able to attract and land the veterans they need. In order to take step forward, the Bulls HAVE TO surround these young guys with a solid grouping of at least 3 veteran, role players. Not only to increase their overall depth and level of talent, but these guys DESPERATELY NEED LEADERSHIP!!
Agree 100%
In the last few seasons the Bulls have traded away Rose, Butler, Gibson, give away $28m in cap flexibility and the have received ZERO draft picks in return. Absolutely the dumbest front office in basketball.
At least Paxson admitted that no big name FA wants to come here with Boyle’s and Forman here. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Porter. Should fit in with all the other guys who won’t hit their potential.
Chicago should be good for him. There’s more energy in the building.