NBA Free Agency 2011: Grizzlies To Match Rockets Offer To Marc Gasol, According To Report

According to a report by David Aldridge, the Memphis Grizzlies intend to match the four-year $55 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Marc Gasol. 

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley told TNT's David Aldridge on Sunday afternoon that the Grizzlies would match the four-year, $55 million offer sheet the Houston Rockets have reportedly prepared for restricted free agent center Marc Gasol, considered the top big man in free agency this offseason.

Although Memphis owner Michael Heisley said that Memphis had not received the offer sheet on Gasol, he told Aldridge that the Grizzlies had already offered Gasol a long-term deal that was worth more than the offer sheet amount. 

"We’re keeping Marc," Heisley said. "We can’t afford to let him go … Marc and his agent have to decide what they want to do. But we would definitely match that if that came up to us."

The news is another set back for the Rockets who have been frantically searching for a quality big man. Houston thought it had landed Marc Gasol's brother Pau in a three-team trade that would have landed Chris Paul in Los Angeles. That deal was nixed by the league and forced the Rockets to switch to their back up plan.  

For more on NBA free agency, see SB Nation's 2011 NBA free agency StoryStream and the 2011 NBA free agency hub; for more on the Rockets, make sure to check out The Dream Shake.

NBA Rumors 2011: Marc Gasol Receives Four-Year, $55 Million Offer Sheet From Houston Rockets, According To Report

The Houston Rockets seem to be determined to bring a "Gasol" onto their roster this season. While talks have been up, down and back around in regards to Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol, now it seems that the Memphis Grizzlies' big man Marc Gasol have been targeted by Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.

According to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski twitter feed, the Rockets are prepared to offer Marc Gasol a max-contract offer.

The Rockets are working to sign Marc Gasol to a 4 year, $55M offer sheet, sources tell Y! Memphis would have 3 days to match, or lose him. — @WojYahooNBA via Twitter

Even if Memphis matches the deal, it seems that Houston's supreme focus is to bring a quality big man to H-Town this season.

For more on NBA free agency, see SB Nation's 2011 NBA free agency StoryStream and the 2011 NBA free agency hub; for more on the Rockets, make sure to check out The Dream Shake.

Rockets To Send More Players To Hornets In Three-Way Trade

The three-way trade between the Rockets, Hornets and Lakers which is centered around Chris Paul has been resubmitted for league approval with some tweaks. The NBA-owned Hornets were wanting more players in the deal to make sure the Hornets received fair value for Paul.

Chris Paul, Pau Gasol Trade Round Two: New Deal Submitted To League

ESPN's Marc Stein and Chris Broussard are both reporting that a new version of the failed three-team trade between Los Angeles, Houston and New Orleans that would send Chris Paul to the Lakers and Pau Gasol to the Rockets has been submitted to the league for approval. As for what's different this time around, the specific details haven't been released, but Broussard speculates it's a more Hornets-friendly proposal:

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the changes would center around the Lakers and Hornets, and the particulars of what the Rockets would give to New Orleans are the same - Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and 2012 draft picks, the number of which has yet to be confirmed. That would back up Broussard's contention that New Orleans would get a bigger haul this time around. 

For more on the Houston Rockets, visit The Dream Shake. For everything NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA Free Agency 2011: Chuck Hayes Signs With Sacramento Kings

The Houston Rockets have gotten yeoman's work from Chuck Hayes at the center position for years, with an injured Yao Ming routinely giving way to the undersized Hayes. That will not the case in 2011-12, as Hayes has signed a free agent with the Sacramento Kings.

Hayes averaged 7.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in just over 28 minutes per game in 2011, and his departure leaves the Rockets with a huge hole inside: Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet are the only other centers left on Houston's roster.

Fortunately, neither is likely to be the Rockets' opening day starter at center. Houston is expected to pursue free agent big man Nene in free agency, and was on the verge of receiving Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers before the Chris Paul mega-deal was nixed on Thursday.

For more on NBA free agency, see SB Nation's 2011 NBA free agency StoryStream and the 2011 NBA free agency hub; for more on the Rockets, make sure to check out The Dream Shake.

Chris Paul, Pau Gasol Three-Way Trade Not Dead Yet

With most of the NBA still in shock over the dramatic last-second veto of a proposed three-way deal between New Orleans, Houston and LA that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers and Pau Gasol to the Rockets because of "basketball reasons", the teams involved are still committed to making this deal happen:

ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix 

From what I'm gathering neither HOU or LA is opposed to tinkering with the deal, but they have not been told who NO can trade.

30 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

The Rockets have a huge collection of interesting young players, with seven prospects with less than three years in the NBA -- Marcus Morris, Donatas Motiejunas, Terrence Williams, Patrick Patterson, Jonny Flynn, Chase Budinger and Hasheem Thabeet -- that might help sweeten the deal from New Orleans' perspective.

However, it appears the real issue is that some small-market owners don't want Paul to go to Los Angeles regardless of what players the Hornets get back, so there may not be much Houston can do about it.

NBA Free Agency 2011: Houston Rockets Dropping Out Of Nene Sweepstakes

With David Stern vetoing the potential three-way trade that would have Pau Gasol in Houston, the Rockets front office is still actively looking for another big man, but it appears that they've scratched Denver Nugget free agent Nene off the list:

ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix 

Nets reported four-year, $60-$65 million contract offer to Nene knocks Houston out of the bidding, source says. Too rich.

21 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

With Tyson Chandler headed to New York, and Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan restricted free-agents, Nene is the last elite center available on the free agent market.

In nine seasons with Denver, the 6'11 260 center has averaged 12.3 rebounds and 6.9 rebounds on 56% shooting.

However, the Rockets have reportedly decided that they are not willing to pay Nene near-maximum money like the Nets are.

While Nene is a solid two-way center, giving him such a huge salary would cost Houston much of its salary cap room.

Orlando Will Not File Dwight Howard-Related Tampering Charge Against Houston

With emotions regarding the future of elite players in small NBA markets running high today, the Houston Rockets almost were caught up in a different fiasco, this time surrounding Dwight Howard and the Magic.

It's been an open secret for months that Howard would probably seek to leave Orlando, which was confirmed when he requested a trade to the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets Thursday night. 

The Magic, faced with the possibility of losing their franchise player the same year they open a brand-new state-of-the-art $500 million stadium, have not taken that development well. They were considering filing charges against New Jersey as well as Houston, according to a report from Sports Illustrated:

sam_amick Sam Amick 

The root of Orlando's potential tampering charge against Houston, source says, is alleged meeting w/ coach Kevin McHale & Dwight Howard.

11 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

However, with Howard not asking for a trade to Houston, the case against the Rockets is not as strong as a potential case against the Nets, so it appears that Houston has narrowly avoided entangling themselves in a situation almost as complicated as the one that has enmeshed Paul and New Orleans:

ChrisMannixSI Chris Mannix 

Orlando not pursuing tampering charges against Houston, source directly involved tells SI.com

13 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

With rumors regarded Paul, Howard and Deron Williams, the three marquee free agents of the class of 2012, seemingly changing by the hour, no one can know where the story goes from here.

Pau Gasol, Chris Paul Trade: Luis Scola Is Playing For Houston, At Least Today

While the entire NBA culture reacts to the tumultuous veto by Commissioner David Stern of the proposed three-team trade that would send Pau Gasol to the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, the players hanging in the balance of a would-be blockbuster move are still going to work - at their current jobs.

Case in point, Rockets' forward Luis Scola, who would've been / might still might be playing for the New Orleans Hornets, along with current Laker Lamar Odom. For now though, Scola is reporting to Rockets duty as scheduled:

Hope he packed before he left. 

For more on the Houston Rockets, visit The Dream Shake. For everything NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA page.

Three-Way Trade Between Rockets, Lakers And Hornets Cancelled By League

The three-way trade that would have had the Houston Rockets receiving Pau Gasol from the Lakers while sending Kevin Martin and Luis Scola to the New Orleans Hornets with the Lakers getting Chris Paul. Once the trade was announced there was immediate pressure from other NBA owners to have this trade cancelled, and the NBA did step in to nix the deal.

Houston wanted to make this trade to build around Gasol and Kyle Lowry, but now that the trade is off Houston will have to go in a different direction. Now it means that the Rockets are back in play to retain Chuck Hayes who was thought to be gone to the Sacramento Kings who was a four-year $20 million offer on the table.

Over at The Dream Shake they are very upset over David Stern canceling this trade:

So David, there are few words that can describe the idiocy that you have just perpetuated against the Rockets, the Lakers, and the Hornets. Those three teams found a deal that suited each of their needs, agreed to it, and were ready to submit it tomorrow morning. No, David Stern had to cave to the owners one more time this year.

If Stern doesn't have the guts to say that this deal is a fair deal and one that is completely permitted under NBA rules, then he shouldn't be in that commissioner's chair.

[...]

I tolerated Stern's shtick while he was negotiating the CBA because I knew that he was in a tough position, but this is the final straw. David, it's time to say goodbye.

For more Rockets trade news check out The Dream Shake, and for everything NBA visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Pau Gasol Trade: Rockets To Give Hornets A First-Round Pick In Deal Involving Chris Paul, According To Report

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Houston Rockets will send a first-round pick to New Orleans as part of the three-team trade that will send Pau Gasol to the Rockets and Chris Paul to the Lakers. Wojnaroswki also reported that multiple picks could be included in the deal, which is still yet to be finalized and approved. 

The Dream Shake is cautious about the Rocket's participation in a deal that could set off another Laker dynasty in the Western Conference, but likes the moves made for Houston's roster:

Still, for the Rockets, this deal appears to be a major talent upgrade and a way to eliminate some of the excessive depth on the roster. The team will sorely miss Kevin Martin's scoring and Luis Scola's scrappiness, but acquiring a legitimate star big man is a huge step forward. Additionally, the move will clear the way for highly touted young guns like Courtney Lee and Patrick Patterson to take larger roles with the team.

For more Rockets trade news check out The Dream Shake, and for everything NBA visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Pau Gasol Traded To Houston Rockets In Three-Team Deal Involving Chris Paul, According To Report

Pau Gasol is headed to the Houston Rockets, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, as part of a three-team trade involving the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers that would send All-Star Chris Paul to the Lakers.

The deal Wojnarowski reports as "close to being done" would send Gasol from the Lakers to Houston, guard Chris Paul from the Hornets to L.A., forward Lamar Odom from L.A. to New Orleans and guard Kevin Martin and forward Luis Scola to New Orleans from Houston in a package deal for guard Goran Dragic.

The 31-year-old Gasol did not draw interest from the rebuilding Hornets, who didn't want to contend with Gasol's remaining $57 million deal over the next three seasons. Gasol averaged 18.5 points 10.2 rebounds per game for the Lakers last season. 

The report also mentioned that the Hornets would receive draft picks as part of the package for Paul, but that the specific number and round of picks were not yet determined.

For more on the Houston Rockets, visit The Dream Shake. For everything NBA and a complete list of free agency moves, check out SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Chuck Hayes Linked To Sacramento, Minnesota

With the Houston Rockets active in trade talks with half of the NBA, they are likely prepared to let Chuck Hayes, a long-time Rocket and fan favorite, walk in free agency.

While early reports indicated that Hayes had agreed to a four-year $20 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves have come in at the last minute to pursue the 6'6 240 forward:

ChrisBHaynes Chris Haynes 

According to Chuck Hayes' agent, The #Sacramento #Kings & #Minnesota #Timberwolves are on equal ground in attaining Hayes. #NBA #Rockets

1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Retweeted by sam_amick

Hayes has spent the first six years of his career in Houston, with career averages of 4.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.

However, his value to the team, especially on the defensive end, is hard to capture statistically, as Hayes is widely considered one of the best low-post defenders in the NBA, despite his miniature stature.

NBA Free Agency Rumors 2011: Houston Rockets Linked To Pau Gasol, DeAndre Jordan

The Rockets are one of the most active teams in the NBA rumor mill, as the league prepares for a fast-and-furious free agency period in the wake of the lockout.

What? Does Pau Gasol Make Sense For Rockets?