A recent AOL Fanhouse report by NBA columnist Sam Amick paints the Rockets as waiting on pieces to fall into place for a possible trade for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who the Rockets reportedly wanted to trade up for in the NBA Draft last year. Like most teams, he also points out that the Rockets would like to deal for Nuggets SF Carmelo Anthony as well. They haven’t given up their dreams on that deal yet, either.
The Rockets, who remain engaged and hopeful on the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes front, are on the market for a young power forward and sources say they admire Cousins’ talent.
While there is no known progress in the Kings’ reported — and longtime — pursuit of Rockets point guard Aaron Brooks, sources say Cousins isn’t the only Kings big man coveted by the Rockets. Despite signing forward Luis Scola to a five-year, $47 million deal last summer, Houston has significant interest in bringing back free-agent-to-be forward Carl Landry. The fourth-year player was traded to Sacramento in February in the three-team deal that sent Kevin Martin to Houston and Tracy McGrady to New York.
As for Anthony, the Rockets are among the many teams whose options — and thus, their chances at landing Denver’s star small forward — expand on Dec. 15. That’s the first date on which free agents who signed last summer (e.g. Scola for Houston) can be traded.
Cousins remains an attractive target in my eyes, particularly since the Rockets this year have been pretty bad thus far and it might take a bit of a rebuilding effort for them to get anywhere. On the other hand: why would Carmelo Anthony re-sign here after seeing how this team has played recently? It makes sense for the Rockets to want a star like Anthony, but I can’t see him committing to an extension for a sub-.500 team unless it’s his only option. And clearly, it won’t be.
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