DO THE TEXANS HAVE THE RESOURCES LEFT TO PULL OFF ANOTHER DEAL?
Texans: Ramsey a perfect fit, but what do they have to give?
Sep 17, 2019, 1:27 pm
DO THE TEXANS HAVE THE RESOURCES LEFT TO PULL OFF ANOTHER DEAL?
By now the word is out that Jalen Ramsey wants a trade from the Jaguars and would love to play elsewhere as soon as possible. The word surfaced yesterday and social media was a buzz talking about where he could go and who would want the all-world cornerback? Texans fans came out of the woodwork to declare that Houston is the place Ramsey should want to be, and they will load up the truck for his move to NRG. There's only one problem, well actually a few issues with this possible trade destination and it starts with the fact that the Texans have traded away most of the assets needed to pull off a deal of this magnitude.
It would be great if they had a first round draft pick next year or the year after to entice Jacksonville to engage in conversations, but they don't. They gave those away along with a second round pick that would have been helpful, to get Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil from Miami. Don't get me wrong, both players help this team immediately and make them better, I just think the price they paid was far too high and is now affecting them negatively as they try to improve in other areas. The Dolphins just traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a future first round pick, a player that could've helped the Texans in a big way. If there was a way Fitzpatrick could've been added to the already consummated trade, it could've made the move more acceptable and beneficial for Houston. The overwhelming sentiment that experts had after the trade was made, was that the Texans acted desperate and gave away far too much.
The same comments and grades that the team and Bill O'Brien received when they made the trade with Miami, they also got when they over paid for running back Duke Johnson. The Browns and Texans agreed on a swap for a fourth round pick that will turn into a third round selection based on Johnson's performance this season. Sources around the NFL thought that Johnson could've been had for a 6th round pick that would have elevated to a 5th. The point being, you added talent to the roster for this season but you over paid and that will cost the team in the future by the picks you gave up and the limitations it placed on the organization's ability to make deals this season.
Aside from all the draft picks the Texans gave away in the two trades with the Browns and Dolphins, let's not forget another move that was made that didn't exactly bring back the returns the fan base had hoped for. It would be wonderful if the team had a former number one overall pick in the draft, a stud defensive end that was available for trade, that was playing at a high level and wanted a big contract the team wasn't willing to give out. You know the guy, Jadaveon Clowney, the guy they gave away for a third round pick and change to the Seahawks? The guy that conceivably could've at least got the Jags to the table to discuss an otherwise unlikely deal between divisional rivals. They could have proposed trading one disgruntled player for another to see if new beginnings for both players would be the formula for a win-win scenario for both teams. Would a trade have been likely, probably not, but it could've opened dialog and given the teams an avenue to explore options.
Luka Doncic had 41 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and the Dallas Mavericks prevented the Houston Rockets from advancing to the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament with a 121-115 victory on Tuesday night.
Kyrie Irving added 22 of his 27 points in the second half for the Mavericks, who had already been eliminated. Their victory allowed the New Orleans Pelicans to win Group B in the Western Conference with a 3-1 record.
Doncic fell just short of his 59th career triple-double. That would have tied him for ninth place all-time with Larry Bird. He shot 15 of 29, 3 of 10 on 3-pointers.
“Sometimes we take him for granted, and we shouldn’t,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s about winning, but it just so happens he’s a walking triple-double.
”The Mavericks, who trailed by nine points in the third quarter, grabbed the lead for good at 99-98 with 6:25 to play on a drive by Irving. Leading 103-100 with 5:25 left, they went on an 8-2 run that included three free throws by Derrick Jones Jr. when he was fouled by Dillon Brooks on a 25-footer with the shot clock about to expire.
Jabari Smith Jr.’s 3-pointer with 8 seconds left pulled the Rockets within 119-115 before Dallas closed it out.
Doncic played after sustaining a low-grade sprain of his left thumb on his non-shooting hand early in Saturday’s game. He wore a wrap on the thumb.
Doncic made a hook shot from the free throw line after recovering a loose ball near the baseline.
“I’m 2 for 2 in my career on the hooks,” Doncic said, saying the other came while playing for the Slovenian national team against Sweden.
Irving shot 2 for 11 in the first half, 1 for 5 on 3-pointers, with no free-throw attempts. He was 6 for 11 in the second half, hitting 1 of 2 behind the arc, and sank all nine free throws.
“I told the team, ‘Played well enough to win, not smart enough to win,’” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “We were extra-aggressive, especially at the end of the third quarter. Had multiple players make a few dumb fouls, put Kyrie at the line and got him going when he didn’t have a lot going. You can be aggressive, obviously, but slapping somebody on a 3-point shot on the arm is an unintelligent play. It has nothing to do with aggression.”
Alperen Sengun had a season-best 31 points for the Rockets, who had six scorers in double figures. Fred VanVleet had 10 points and 12 assists.
The Rockets have lost all six of their road games this season. They went into play leading the NBA by allowing an average of 104.4 points per game.
The Mavericks didn’t use the specially built court for either of their home tournament games, citing dissatisfaction with the quality.
Rockets: Will finish a back-to-back at Denver on Wednesday.
Mavericks: Host Memphis on Friday.