Houston Rockets Are Interested In Chase Budinger...Again?

As I continue to say, Daryl Morey’s work is never done as the Houston Rockets general manager.

When one thinks that it’s done, he’ll blindside you with another one of his hat tricks that he pulls.

I give him full faith and credit in regard to what he’s doing with the Rockets.

He continues to have that mindset that there’s an opportunity for the team to get better with brokering a deal for the now or doing so to setup a future blockbuster deal.

It’s that undeniable fire in his belly that continues to be the fuel for his success as a general manager.

And he’s interested in former Rocket Chase Budinger again…

Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the the one-time sharpshooter for the Rockets could be on the move from the Minnesota Timberwolves if the team can find a taker for the $5 million that he is guaranteed for this season.

He has been languishing for playing time since being in the Twin Cities as the team has a surplus of forwards. He also has been plagued with injury, further putting a stymie on his progress.

And his performance in the past few seasons had not warranted him to bust through the mold.

He also has interest from teams such as the Detroit Pistons as well as the Indiana Pacers.

Budinger, a second round pick from 2009, was a vital cog to the Rockets’ machine back during the three seasons he was here.

I would recall the many times I’d be on my feet at Toyota Center when Budinger would hit a badly-needed three to keep the Rockets in the game or to put them over the top.

His stats and playing time increased with each passing season with the Rockets, upping his value. There was never a season where his field goal percentage dropped below 40 percent and his three-point shooting had increased to 40.2 percent by his third season.

His stock was at an all-time high.

So what did Morey do?

He wheeled and dealt him like a used car salesman, trading him to the T-Wolves along with the rights to Israeli forward Lior Eliyahu for a first-round pick in the draft just two days before the draft.

Just who did that draft pick turn out to be?

Terrence Jones.

So I’d say Morey made an excellent call with that move because Jones continues to get better and is a focal point of this roster.

Although he got his lunch ate by LaMarcus Aldridge during the playoffs, I’m hoping he has learned his lesson to step up his defense.

Anyway, I think Budinger would make a solid addition but there definitely has to be some negotiation in getting more assets in exchange for taking on C-Bud. Morey doesn’t want to take on that $5 million without it benefiting the bottom line as a whole.

Houston Rockets Are Interested In Chase Budinger…Again?

By Brian K. Patterson | Oct 17, 2014