Rockets, Kings swap multiple players

2013-02-20T18:49:53-07:00

The Houston Rockets have kicked started the trade deadline by making two separate deals with the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. The Rockets sent Marcus Morris to the Suns and Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich to the Kings. In return the Rockets will receive a future second-round pick from the Suns and Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia, Tyler Honeycutt and a future second round pick from the Kings, per Royce Young from CBS Sports and Matt Moore from CBS Sports.

From Young:

According to Yahoo Sports, the Houston Rockets have traded second-year forward Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns for a future second-round draft pick. The deal reunites Marcus with brother Markieff, who played together at Kansas.

Marcus was taken 14th overall by the Rockets in 2011, with Markieff going one spot ahead to the Suns.

From Moore:

Yahoo Sports and USA Today report that the Kings have traded 2012 fifth overall pick Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets along with Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt and a second-round pick for forward Patrick Patterson, center Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas, and cash.

Two pretty crazy moves to kick things off. The trading of Morris is nuts as he gets to rejoin his brother Markieff in Phoenix. And the Kings move is bizarre as Robinson was the No. 5 pick and traded before he ever got a shot in Sacramento. The Kings deal screamed CHAUNCEY BILLUPS when I first saw it. Patterson is a nice player, but the Kings are giving up quickly on a rookie.

The Kings now have a crowded frontcourt with Jason Thompson still aboard. Thompson still has four years left on his contract after this season. It's noteworthy that both the Kings and Rockets have been reported to be looking to stand pat at the deadline -- and boom, this happens.

The Suns have been active at the deadline and now have added yet another young piece to their roster.

Where will we go from here?

Trade Deadline Blues: Is Pierce on the move?

2013-02-20T16:58:15-07:00

USA TODAY Sports

Nothing, absolutely nothing has gone on so far during the lead up to the NBA trade deadline. Sooooo boring. How do we spice the proceedings up?

Here is the rundown of the latest (and few) rumors on the trade deadline.

From David Aldridge:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Told Clippers are very likely to stick with what they have going forward and not be involved in any deals, significant or otherwise.</p>— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/304375896238862337">February 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

From Matt Moore at CBS Sports the Celtics and Nets have discussed a deal for Paul Pierce:

The Nets pretty much are just targeting the biggest, most expensive pieces theyc an, but unfortunately, they can't afford to move anyone of value because they overpaid for all of them in the offseason. Gerald Wallace is still a quality player but he's got three years and $30 million left on his deal.

The Nets would love to send Kris Humphries out and have pretty much peddled him to everyone in the league, and then being surprised when everyone responds with "Do you realize how much you paid him?"

Here's a great article by Dr. Travis Heath on Hoopsworld about the psychology of the NBA Trade Deadline. Travis Heath is always a must-read.

As always if you have any rumors or anything that pops up about the Trade Deadline, place them here. In the meantime follow my buddy Nate Timmons @Nate_Timmons for the latest NBA rumors as he is hard at work at the SB Nation Sportsdeck.

Denver Stiffs - NBA trade rumors: Deadline deals begin with Rockets, Suns, Kings

Rockets, Kings swap multiple players

Trade Deadline Blues: Is Pierce on the move?