Rockets Have McGrady and Artest to Consider This Offseason

HOUSTON -- Unexpected achievement in the face of incredible adversity isn't quite how the Houston Rockets saw their playoff run unfolding.

But that was certainly the theme that carried the Rockets, minus injured stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, to within one game of reaching the Western Conference finals this season. One amazing night by McGrady or just the presence of aging Dikembe Mutombo in the paint might have been all the Rockets needed to avoid a Game 7 Semifinals in Los Angeles and overcome the Lakers.

It wasn't meant to be, but still it was enough to re-energize a franchise that seemed in serious trouble a few weeks ago because of it's often-injured stars and nondescript supporting cast. The Rockets hadn't been out of the first round of the playoffs in 12 years prior to this season.

Suddenly, rumblings of Clutch City -- a reference to the franchise's two title runs in the mid-90s -- are growing.

"My body tingles (when I hear that)," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander confessed Tuesday.

There seems much to be excited about with the chance to have a nucleus of point guard Aaron Brooks, forward Luis Scola, swingman Shane Battier, forward Carl Landry off the bench and Yao back on the floor next season. But as much as next season can be defined by optimism, there is a lot of uncertainty, particularly with free agent Ron Artest and McGrady's injury.

Tops on the list of major question marks is McGrady and his injured left knee. McGrady missed the second half of the season after having microfracture surgery, a procedure that saved the careers of Amare Stoudemire and Jason Kidd, but ended the careers of Penny Hardaway and Chris Webber.

How and when McGrady comes back is anybody's guess. But what's certain is McGrady, who turns 30 this week, is due to make more than $23 million from the Rockets next season in the final year of his contract whether he plays or not. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey hopes to have McGrady back on the floor by November after a rigorous rehab, but he admits the uncertainty makes it hard to plan.

"We don't know when he will be back and in what condition," Morey said. "He went through a very difficult surgery that's been challenging for many players. Planning-wise, we have to do like we do every year, which is to be ready for anything."

There is a strong sentiment the Rockets are better off without McGrady. They certainly seemed to play that way at points late in the regular season and during the playoffs when the team did what it hadn't been able to do in three previous runs with McGrady in the lineup -- and that's advance out of the first round. Scola, Brooks and Artest all took turns picking up the scoring slack left by McGrady's absence.

It's unlikely even if healthy the Rockets would find any takers for McGrady at that salary. But Morey also believes McGrady, at one time one of the best scorers in the league, could still be of tremendous service to the Rockets.

"He's part of the team, he's working hard," Morey said. "I met with him for more than couple hours in L.A. when he came out to be with the team. He seems to be in a good place, he's working hard."

"Clearly he has a skill set and ability that we needed. One of the reasons why we were short of beating the Lakers is some of what he can bring to the team. He's part of the team and we hope he can get back as soon as possible to help us."

The next biggest looming question in front of the Rockets is how to deal with Artest? The unpredictable and highly controversial star is in the final year of his contract and is set to hit the free agent market after coming over to the Rockets in a trade with Sacramento last August.

The Rockets can do something about that. The questions are, do they really want to and how much are they willing to spend?

Artest and his agent may want more money and a longer commitment than the salary-cap strapped Rockets want to give. Artest, who has a reputation for his temper, was on his best behavior throughout the year and proved himself as a dependable defender and leader and capable scorer during the playoffs.

Is that enough to warrant paying him in excess of $8 million?

"It's an important issue for him and us, what's the next step there?" Morey said. "I think he has brought a lot to this team this year. If we can make it work in a way ... My job isn't Ron Artest, my job isn't who to trade. It's how do I make the whole roster as a whole better. I think he can be a big part of that. We'll see if we can work it out."

But all indications are Artest really wants to stay in Houston. He said Tuesday that he and his family will begin house hunting offseason.

"I think that will be nice for the city, myself, family, the team," he said. "We're building something real nice here, I think."

Artest, however, declined to discuss what type of money and commitment would keep him with the Rockets and off the free agent market.

"It all depends," Artest said when asked how he would weigh the chance to make more money on the open market versus staying in a situation and with coach (Rick Adelman) he's familiar with. "I'll take everything into consideration but it's hard to get into that right now."

"I don't really have a dollar figure in mind. Not thinking about money, but I do feel like I'm one of the best all around players in the NBA."

The question the Rockets will obviously have to mull over this offseason is whether it's better to stand pat and try to grow with this nucleus that took the Lakers to a Game 7? Or should they try to add some more parts through free agency and the draft to make up ground on the Lakers and Denver Nuggets?

Improving by the latter could prove difficult. Not only are the Rockets over the salary cap, they also are without a first-round draft pick in next month's NBA Draft. The Rockets can use their mid-level exception to lure free agents and they can also buy their way into the first round, which they've done in the past.

High on their wish list appears to be an athletic 7-foot center to back up Yao and possibly a scoring guard to provide some offensive insurance in the event McGrady doesn't return. The Rockets could be in luck this offseason with several teams likely to opt not retain high-priced players in these tough economic times. Alexander certainly sounds willing to spend money, even go into the luxury tax to make his team a winner.

"I want to say this without being predatory," he said. "We are in a position now to go after it and if we can take advantage of some problems, we would be willing to do it."

With that said, the Rockets might also be willing to wheel and deal. The only player that won't be on the market is cornerstone Yao.

"For our team, we are listening to everything. I wouldn't put any player off the market or on the market. I just think when a team calls, we've got to try to upgrade no matter where we can."