Sports
 

Rockets should try to snag elite point guard

By Richard Whitrock
The Daily Cougar

Now that the deal for Tracy McGrady has become a reality, the Rockets are faced with an entirely different set of problems than they were at the beginning of the offseason. While the Rockets still don't have a true power forward, they have a logjam of three players at that position and holes to fill at back-up center and point guard. Even with two superstars, the post-trade situation for the Rockets is precarious.

Fans of the blockbuster Steve Francis/Tracy McGrady deal cite McGrady's ability to draw the double team and give Yao Ming some much-needed room to work as the biggest benefit that McGrady brings to the table. In addition, McGrady is an excellent post-up player, something that the Rockets haven't had on the roster for many years. Finally, he creates headaches for other teams when they try to match up defensively because of his talent and size (McGrady is a good six inches taller than most other players at his position and has the wingspan of a seven footer).

Unfortunately, without a talented point guard it is unlikely the Rockets will be able to take advantage of the things McGrady brings to the table. Without someone who can spread the ball around like a true point guard, things could deteriorate quickly for the team.

To put it bluntly, the Rockets need a point guard more than anything right now, and there is no reason not to go after the best. While the casual observer might say that getting Jason Kidd in a Rockets uniform is laughably unrealistic, it may not actually be that far-fetched.

With the resurgence of power in the East and a change in ownership for the New Jersey Nets organization, things are different. The Nets sent out a clear signal that they are willing to rebuild when they traded Kenyon Martin to the Denver Nuggets for draft picks (even if they were forced into the situation). The trade has left a gaping hole at the power forward position for the Nets, and that's where the Rockets have an advantage.

Presumably, the Nets are looking to build around Richard Jefferson, and will be looking to complement both him and his style of play with young, talented players and draft picks. If the Rockets were to put forth a package that included Maurice Taylor, Tyronn Lue and a future first-round draft pick (even two if necessary), then the Nets would be hard pressed not to listen.

Kidd is in his 11th year in the NBA, so long-term rebuilding plans are likely not to include him or make him happy with the current situation. With limited cash and a shallow free-agent market unable to make up for the loss of Martin and keep Kidd both happy and on a team capable of winning a championship, the Nets' only real option to get a power forward is to trade. 

The Rockets are in a position to exploit this and possibly pick up the best point guard in the game while helping the Nets to minimize their rebuilding phase and fix some immediate and pressing needs on their team. Adding Kidd to the line-up would instantly make the Rockets a championship contender, and while it doesn't solve the problem of back-up center, it certainly makes things much better. The cost may be high, but it would be more than worth it.
 

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