The Houston Rockets are scrambling to find a solid backup point guard after trading Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. ESPN reported that Rockets are eyeing a trade with an Eastern Conference team for another playmaker and potential sub for starting guard Patrick Beverley.
After unloading Lin in a futile move to clear cap space and sign a max player this offseason, the Rockets appear to be searching for his replacement on the trading block. According to ESPN Insider, Houston general manager Daryl Morey is working out a trade with an Eastern Conference team to get a point guard.
"The Houston Rockets have some decent internal options when it comes to replacing Jeremy Lin, from Isaiah Canaan to Troy Daniels to Nick Johnson But a report on Monday morning indicates that the Rockets are actively looking to acquire a point guard from a team in the Eastern Conference," according to Joe Kaiser of ESPN Insider.
Lin, who averaged 12 points and 4 assists per game last year, had been an important part of the Rockets offensive system for the past two seasons. Aside from his ability to carry the scoring load when needed, the former Harvard standout was a solid facilitator because of his great court vision and experience running pick-and-roll plays.
Pat Beverley, All-Defensive Team member last season, was a better defender than Lin, but the Asian American star is more efficient offensive player than him. On the other hand, Isaiah Canaan, Troy Daniels and Nick Johnson have shown flashes of their potentials last season, but again it's going to be hard replacing the production Lin provided off the bench.
The Rockets, with still plenty of trade assets left despite dealing away Lin, Omer Asik and Chandler Parsons, could pull off a deal to snag a quality backup in the Eastern Conference. Guards like Pablo Priogini of the New York Knicks, Jerryd Bayless of the Boston Celtics or Luke Ridnour of the Charlotte Hornets could be available for trade.
Then again, the pressure is on for the Rockets to find a player who can step up their game in any circumstances like Lin did last season. Many pundits believed trading Lin to Lakers without getting commitment from Chris Bosh was a big mistake - something that is beginning to haunt the team.
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