Fear The Bald
Houston Rockets fans love their “Fear the Beard” motto that celebrates the offensive juggernaut that is James Harden. On the defensive end, Harden’s fear factor equals that of a newborn puppy.
If the Rockets (currently 3rd in the West) want to seriously contend with Golden State or San Antonio to reach the Finals, they need defensive help. Houston ranks 16th in defensive rebounding. Gibson could help them increase those numbers and improve their awful rim protection. The Rockets surrender the highest field goal percentage (64.6%) to their opponents on shots less than five feet from the hoop. Taj’s stiff interior defense (50.6% field goals against at the rim) is significantly better than Houston bigs Ryan Anderson (55.9%), Nene (54.1%) and Montrezl Harrell (52.1%).
Just like with Boston, Gibson’s expiring contract would give Houston flexibility in the upcoming offseason.
Rockets Receive: PF/C Taj Gibson
Bulls Receive: SF Corey Brewer, Rockets’ 2017 first round pick
All About The Picks
Veteran winger Corey Brewer is in serious decline and he’s not giving the Rockets much in his 16 minutes per game this season. He has another year left on his current contract for $7.5 million. The Bulls could waive Brewer and hope he gets plucked by somebody, or negotiate a buyout. Just like the Celtics trade, this would allow Hoiberg and GarPax to take a closer look at Portis while adding to their draft stock.
The Rockets may not see Taj as being worthy of their first round pick, even though it will likely be in the high twenties. If that’s the case, they could instead offer two second round picks, as they’re owed second rounders in 2017 from both Denver and Portland. Based on the current NBA standings, the Blazers pick would come in at #40 and the Nuggets pick at #44. Seeing as the Bulls owe their 2017 second round pick to New York from the Derrick Rose trade, this would offset that loss. (Assuming the post-Boogie Kings drop into the bottom ten and keep that protected pick, the Bulls would get their second round pick too. That, plus this Rockets trade, means two or three chances for Chicago’s front office to get lucky on a second round prospect.)
Trading Taj will be tough on the fanbase that’s come to love his “hard hat and lunch pail” work ethic and leadership. He should go down as one of the most underrated and underappreciated Bulls of all time. Making improvements to his game every year. Always selfless. Always ready to play whatever role is needed while putting the team first. But at 31 years old and big free agency offers on the horizon, keeping him through the rest of this lost season makes no sense. If GarPax can orchestrate either of these deals with Boston or Houston, getting some form of draft pick(s) in return, they absolutely must.
They have less than 48 hours to make it happen.
