OKC Thunder: Mortgaged future equals few Rockets trade deadline assets

Next up in the OKC Thunder trade deadline series T.I. looks at the Houston Rockets who’ve mortgaged their future but continue to seek analytical additions.

As the OKC Thunder and their competitors prepare for trade deadline day things are heating up. But, for teams like the Houston Rockets, they appear to be on the outside looking in. And, as teams and agents try to get what they want the drama is building. This week has been fantastic for fans and writers – just because of the drama.

Looking at the major drama this week, it’s basically creative rumor management. Take the commentary released from Anthony Davis camp to start the week. They say Davis has suggested he’d be happy to join the Lakers, Clippers, Knicks or Bucks. The trouble with this rumor is the three other squads outside the Lakers don’t have a substantially deep roster with which to serve up young assets or a truckload of draft picks.

Logically, it’s Rich Paul feeding a narrative to show Davis is open but then serving up those squads knowing what New Orleans is seeking. This way if the Pelicans bite and call that triad Paul knows they won’t be able to compete with the Lakers combination of assets, picks and willingness to consume salary (Solomon Hill). It’s a dangerous risk to take because any of those other squads could tell the Pelicans they’ll make the necessary moves to acquire the specific package New Orleans covets. Or in New York’s case offer the top pick if they land it.

Case in point – that was precisely what the Clippers did late Tuesday evening sending several assets with Tobias Harris to Philadelphia and collecting numerous draft picks in the process.

This is spin doctoring at the highest level. Smart teams will tell Dell Demps he should definitely send Davis East so he won’t have to face him more than twice a season. Others will play up how the Lakers are trying to dictate how they run their franchise including the timelines.

See the last slide for how this situation may be affecting the Rockets.