Houston Rockets Potential Trade Partners

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Nov 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward

Carmelo Anthony

(7) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks shooting guard

Kyle Korver

(26) and Atlanta Hawks center

Al Horford

(15) and Atlanta Hawks power forward

Paul Millsap

(4) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are in team that do not seem to know for sure where they are headed. Last year they managed to get into the playoffs and grab the 8th slot and gave the Indiana Pacers all they could handle in a round 1 matchup in some ways identifying some flaws in the Pacers team makeup. They did all this without their best player, center/forward Al Horford. At the moment that are right about where they were last season at 5-5 sitting precariously in the 7th slot for the moment among a cluster of teams.

Oct 29, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward

Patrick Patterson

(54) tries to block a shot by Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford (15) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Atlanta 109-102. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

With Horford back this year and with additions of Thabo Sefolosha and rookie Adreian Payne, most feel the Hawks are definitely in the playoff conversation in the East. However, with improved rosters for the Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets and better health for Nets, the last spot in the east could possibly come down to the Knicks, Pistons and Hawks.

Following a tumultuous offseason where two different front office executives, GM Danny Ferry and Owner Bruce Levenson, got into hot water over racially charged or inappropriate comments and emails, the team is now for sale. And with new ownership could come a desire to change direction.

A rumor was floated a few weeks ago that the Hawks could be looking to trade Al Horford. There is no way to know if there is any validity to this rumor, but if so the Rockets would be foolish not to consider it for the same reasons they should consider Greg Monroe from the Pistons. Horford would significantly upgrade them at the 4 and is even better in mid-range than Monroe.

Although Horford, at 28, is a few years older than Monroe, he is signed for this year and next at a reasonable $12 million per year and would also be able to slide over to the 5 when Howard is out of the lineup.

Nov 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward

Paul Millsap

(4) is fouled while shooting by New York Knicks center

Jason Smith

(14) during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If not, Horford the other player on the Hawks roster for the Rockets to consider is power forward Paul Millsap. Millsap carried this team at times last season and made his first All-Star game in 2013-14. His contract is up at the end of the season, making it possible that the Hawks could look to get something for him and not take the risk of losing him.

Millsap would be a great fit with the Rockets and although the Rockets love to live by the metrics of taking either 3-pointers or shots at the rim, Millsap would add a mid-range presence that the Rockets currently do not have and would be a 3rd consistent scorer for them.

He has also in the past couple years begun to extend his range out to the 3-point line where he shot 35% last year, significantly better than Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas. Millsap as well, is a player that the Rockets should definitely look at in the coming off-season as a potential free agent if they still have cap flexibility.