OKC Thunder: Presti mic drop trade deadline deal for a Southwest player

Analytical nightmare:

The media was lit with news the Rockets were shopping Clint Capela.  Daryl Morey was desirous of adding a wing to their mix. No brain surgery degree was required to see his top target had to be Robert Covington.

Kevin O’Connor confirmed all as this article was being composed. Of course, at this time of year is wont to do – just as the final touches were being applied to this piece the Woj Bomb hit and the massive four-team trade was announced. Ah – the joys of being prepared to revamp on the fly.

At least the writing was on the wall regarding the thought process in Houston. The team won versus the Luka Doncic-less Mavericks and young Pelicans club utilizing small ball and the brain trust decided hey – let’s use 6’5″ PJ Tucker at center.

Surely Morey and D’Antoni have a plan and there is money available for the Rockets to add a viable rim protector. Until then it’s Tucker and youngster Isaiah Hartenstein who’ll captain the paint.

The question is how successful this lineup can be when facing teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, Jazz or OKC Thunder? In those situations, it’s 7′ talents –  Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams.

Again, O’Connor’s piece validates the thinking Morey and D’Antoni seem intent on the small ball movement. The Rockets landed their guy (Robert Covington) but are taking huge chances in terms of how they’ll deal with the West’s giants.

Either way, the Rockets aren’t the team in the Southwest where Presti’s focus should lie.