The Houston Rockets are in a search for answers, as what once seemed to be a memorable off-season is now in turmoil.
The Rockets have had great success under GM Daryl Morey over the last couple years. Morey has orchestrated franchise quality moves in trading for James Harden and signing Dwight Howard last summer to make them contenders in the Western Conference.
The Rockets goal this offseason was to find a third All-Star to pair alongside Howard and Harden, most preferably a stretch 4 caliber player. Now, however, not only have the Rockets failed to land All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, it is possible that they will lose an emerging star in Chandler Parsons.
Houston declined Parson's option in order to orchestrate such a plan and sign Parsons to a long-term deal, but they didn't plan on the Dallas Mavericks offering Parsons a near max deal. The Rockets also have traded away Jeremy Lin and are looking to trade Omer Asik without taking back any salary. They have until Sunday at 11:01 pm to decided whether to match Parson's offer or let him go to the Mavs.
The Rockets are on the clock and they have limited options if they are to salvage their off-season. There are not any power forwards in costless agency that can stretch the floor like a Chris Bosh nor are there any perennial All-Stars left on the market.
Possibile replacements Spencer Hawes and even a Josh McRoberts have already committed to signing with other teams. That is the risk in waiting to land a "big fish." While the Rockets were waiting to receive an answer from Bosh, other possibile replacements were being courted, and landed, by other teams.
The best move for the Rockets at this point might be to bring in Luol Deng or Trevor Ariza at the small forward position, if they are willing to take a max deal of a $12 million annual salary.
Another name to consider would be Dallas Mavericks costless-agent Shawn Marion, who can still perform at a high level and will demand much less than either Deng or Ariza. If they could sign Marion to a two-year $10 million deal, then they will have a solid player at the small forward position and be able to add depth to their bench by adding a player such as a Mo Williams.
Of course Houston could always bring back Parsons, but if the team were to do that, they would be limited to adding any players via costless agency for the next two to three years. At this point it is difficult to imagine the Rockets being able to do much to upgrade their roster from a year ago.
The Rockets dreamed of a "Big 4" consisting of Howard, Harden, Bosh, and Parsons but it now come down to the "Big 2." Daryl Morey should never be counted out in making moves, but he is limited at what he can do with the costless-agents remaining on the market.