Houston Rockets: Should The Team Pursue Larry Sanders?

The countdown continues for the Houston Rockets as time edges closer to the NBA trade deadline.

Daryl Morey is officially on the clock but is there anything that will be done before the deadline?

In past seasons, we could honestly say that likely there would be some fireworks.

But now, things are different for the Houston Rockets, they currently hold footing for third place in the Western Conference, possessing a 40-17 record.

Just to put things in perspective, as you likely know, the Houston Rockets won just 41 games all season in 2015-16.

This remarkable turnaround is a result of the ingenuity of Morey in the off season, assembling a coaching staff/team that has nearly seamless chemistry.

It’s not always easy to get the formula just right but with things being in lock-step with the vision that Morey had for how he wanted the Houston Rockets to look, things are fine and dandy in the Bayou City.

At least for now…

Although this roster has been quite successful because of the majority of it is relatively healthy, there are concerns about depth.

The starting five is all set and can lead to places that this team needs to go.

Deep playoff run folks?

However, with our lack of additional depth deep in the paint is of concern for me.

Luckily, when Clint Capela went down for time he did, things were able to be held together with Nene Hilario and Montrezl Harrell splitting time at center.

But Nene can’t play starter minutes and Harrell is participating out of position causing mismatches along the way.

Both did an incredible job filling in but we need a player that’s going to provide the depth that we need in the front court.

Who could be that guy?

None other than Larry Sanders.

Yes, that’s a name that we all haven’t heard in quite some time but apparently this guy wants to make a comeback in the NBA and has an aggressive campaign in place to get a team to sign for the rest of the season.

According to Basketball Insiders, the Rockets are among five teams — including the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans — that have interest in his services.

You can also add the Los Angeles Lakers in the slew of rumors as well, meeting with him as recently as yesterday.

With the all of these eyes on Sanders and with the Rockets needs at the position are loud and clear, I think they should make a run for him.

How much will he cost?

Basketball Insiders indicates that his pro-rated salary for the remainder of the season will be around an estimated $300K which is well within the Rockets’ budget.

Next: Should The Team Trade For Leandro Barbosa?

Why choose Sanders?

First of all, he has a chip on his shoulder and is out to prove that he still belongs in the NBA.

When you are acquiring someone that’s driven, they’ll go through the wall for you and that’s the type of dedicated player that we need.

He can be an excellent defender, has superior rebounding and shot-blocking skills but caught the injury bug in his first tour of duty, some of which could’ve been avoided.

Not mention that he can still move quite well and he’d be excellent recipient of this system that highly incorporates the pick-and-roll schemes at the center position.

He fractured his orbital bone near his right eye after a unintentional James Harden elbow going up for rebound in February 2014.

He also tore a ligament in his right thumb amid an altercation at an establishment in Milwaukee that same year as well.

But I think he’s shored things up and is ready to win and Rockets should seriously consider him.

Although I’m there are other priorities in terms of players they want to acquire, Sanders wouldn’t be a bad option to have on our side.

We’ll have to see.

Sanders, 28, averaged 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field and the same from the charity stripe back in 2014-15, his last season of play.

Go Rockets.

Home/Houston Rockets