Considering all the hype for the NBA Playoffs, two teams are shining on the West. They are, of course, the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. With the Rockets winning the series over the LA Clippers in a 4-3 Game 7 finish, it will be time to face the Warriors after their game six victory. Even though West and East have yet to play against each other, there are a lot of NBA Trade Rumors going on for the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets.
For the Golden State Warriors, their game six win against the Memphis Grizzlies has really put them on the map this year, and the Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers is really going to have to make some interesting trades to compete for the 2015 season.
According to Chat Sports, the Golden State Warriors could use "a bit more stability at the center position moving forward, especially since the effectiveness of the team's defense relies so heavily on having a massive deterrent in the middle of the lane". Something that could change that would be the introduction of new players like Kentucky's Dakari Johnson or Washington center Robert Upshaw. There is even talk of adding current LSU player Jarell Martin to the mix.
Of course, there is also talk that the Warriors could abandon their frontcourt needs altogether are get another shooting guard, and that man could be Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
As for the Rockets, Josh Smith has been a real surprise for the playoffs, and this places the forward in a great position for the postseason when he becomes a free agent again. When head coach Kevin McHale chose Smith over [Terrance] Jones, it really started the comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Sports World Report, it sounds as if Houston wants to keep Josh Smith on, which is to the surprise of no one.
Then there are rumors that Rajon Rondo could be a priority pick for the Rockets in the offseason. Should Rondo be picked up, there might not be able to swing what it would take to bring back Josh Smith.
It is apparent that the big deals will go to players like Dwight Howard, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, and Terrence Jones after the big game 7 win last Sunday. So with that type of lineup, are we looking at a Rajon Rondo or Josh Smith team? The rumors will really heat up in January.
The January rumors goes for both the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. In the meantime, all of the focus is going to be on which of the two teams will win that West Conference Finals.
