NBA News 2013: Thomas Robinson Traded To Rockets

English: Patrick Patterson following a game against Clarion University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Reuniting the Morris twins marked an unusual starting shot to the trade deadline and was immediately followed by a much bigger deal also involving the Rockets. Considering the fact that the trades were done concurrently (and likely will become a three-way when it hits the league office) I will evaluate it as such.

The Rockets' Perspective

I had been critical of Daryl Morey and the Rockets brass since the Draft because they had a stockpile of not that special power forward and not enough time to play them all. Well, that just got emphatically clarified. Losing Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich makes them slightly shallower at those spots for this season, but means nearly nothing to the team moving forward. As such, it becomes a simpler trade for the future.

Effectively moving Patrick Patterson for Thomas Robinson (and some pieces) absolutely makes a ton of sense for a team that has had plenty of time to evaluate Patterson and his fit with what they have. Robinson has a ton of potential and possesses the additional benefit of two extra years of team control (Patterson hits restricted free agency in 2014 and Robinson in 2016). Losing Marcus Morris for a 2013 second round pick may make people balk but the net moves save the team about $1.5 million for next season, marking a necessary sacrifice for a team in the free agency sweepstakes this summer.

On top of that, I am intrigued to see what Houston does with Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt, who could absolutely contribute to a team set at the starting perimeter spots but lacking somewhat when it comes to swingman depth.

All in all, Houston made a smart trade of Patrick Patterson for Thomas Robinson while picking up some interesting assets and some valuable salary space for the 2013-14 season in the process. Well done.

Grade for Houston: A-

The Kings' Perspective

I like Patrick Patterson but worry that the difference in years under rookie deals could end up hurting Sacramento relatively soon. After all, having a player closer to his peak makes remarkably little sense for a team who should not be looking to win the rest of this season and likely cannot make much noise next year. He could help try [emphasis on try] to stabilize former Kentucky teammate DeMarcus Cousins, but that is not enough of a benefit to outweigh the other costs. Now is far too early to give up on Thomas Robinson, especially when doing so for a guy who helps them more at a less valuable time in the team’s progression.

The other issue I have with the deal is that Cole Aldrich will be an Unrestricted Free Agent this summer by virtue of his option year being declined, while Toney Douglas will be Restricted but is not that good and plays a position where the Kings actually do not need help from a rotation player. Trading a swingman like Garcia who can actually shoot could be a problem as well though it’s not too big a deal.

Grade for Sacramento: D+

The Suns' Perspective

Trading a solid second round pick for a talented enough guy like Marcus Morris is fine. I personally love early seconds (since they are so cheap), but Morris has enough time on his deal and fit with Phoenix to make it a reasonable choice.

Grade for Phoenix: B

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/226251/Grading-The-Deal-Thomas-Robinson-Traded-To-Rockets

Related articles

• Kings trade Robinson to Rockets in six-player deal (sacbee.com)
• Thomas Robinson Traded to the Houston Rockets in 3-Team Deal (slamonline.com)
• Report: Rockets trade for Robinson (cbssports.com)
• Thomas Robinson trade analysis: Rockets get young talent, Maloofs get cash (sbnation.com)
• Three Team Trade (keepinitrealsports.com)
• Rockets acquire Thomas Robinson, trade Patrick Patterson to Kings (nba.si.com)
• Rockets Get Rookie Robinson From Kings (houston.cbslocal.com)
• Rockets Acquire Thomas Robinson From Kings (wibw.com)
• Rockets trade for Thomas Robinson, lose Patrick Patterson and more, according to report (houston.sbnation.com)
• Source: Rockets trade with Suns, Kings (miamiherald.com)

NBA News 2011: VCU stuns Kansas

Image via Wikipedia
VCU stunned the Jayhawks 71-61 on Sunday, becoming just the third 11th seed to make the Final Four. The Jayhawks had been the last top seed standing, but what looked like an easy path to the final weekend ended in a stunning collapse.

Kansas (36-3) hadn’t trailed by more than two points the entire tournament. With five minutes left in the first half, the Jayhawks trailed by 17.

Marcus Morris had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and his brother had 13 and 12. They played in disbelief as VCU, which ousted Florida State on 3-pointers on Friday night, used the long ball to bury the Jayhawks early this time.

The Rams hit 9 of their 12 3-pointers in the first half. Kansas trailed 41-27 at halftime and closed the lead to 46-44 with 13:11 left, but a 10-2 VCU run put the Jayhawks right back where they started.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201103270287

Related articles

• VCU stuns Kansas (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• VCU stuns Kansas; will play Butler in Final Four (nypost.com)
• VCU stuns KU to reach to Final Four (denverpost.com)

NBA News 2011: NBA Prospect Justin Harper

Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Justin Harper, 6-10, Senior, Power Forward, Richmond
15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 turnovers, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, 54.9% FG, 50.8% 3FG, 68.8% FT

At 6'10, Harper has excellent size for the power forward position, but he could still stand to add strength to his 225-pound frame, particularly to his lower body. He is an above average athlete, as well, with decent quickness in the open floor and good explosiveness around the basket.

Harper has improved significantly on the offense end, where he averages 23.1 points per 40 minutes pace adjusted. He is most effective spotting up around the perimeter, where he finds over a quarter of his possessions, and shoots a blistering 50.8% on 4.2 attempts per game.

Though he does not get much elevation on his shot, he has a lightning quick release and a consistent, fluid shooting motion. His range extends well past the NBA three-point line, as well, and he shows very good potential as a pick-and-pop threat. Clearly this will be his calling card as an NBA prospect.

His scoring abilities around the basket have improved, as well, where he displays improving footwork and a developing arsenal of moves. Though he likely lacks the strength to carve out position at the next level, his touch around the basket is solid and he has become more comfortable attacking the rim as a senior.

On defense, Harper displays just average lateral quickness and could struggle guarding perimeter oriented power forwards at the next level. He is not the most consistent defender either, particularly inside where his lack of strength does him few favors, but where he also fails to contest every shot.

Players with his size, athleticism skill-set are difficult to come by, and if he can finish the season as strongly as he started, and ride that momentum into the pre-draft process, he'll definitely have a chance to hear his name called on draft night.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Trending-Prospects-162011--3608/