Houston Rockets send Samuel Dalembert to Milwaukee Bucks for 12th pick in Draft – NBA Update
The Houston Rockets are serious about getting their hands on the most prized players in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Rockets have a total of 4 picks in the draft, the last of which was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in return for Chase Budinger.
Houston have now moved up further in the draft, using their 14th pick and centre Samuel Dalembert to acquire the 12th overall pick from the Milwaukee Bucks. The trade also included other pieces; the 14th pick and Samuel Dalembert went to the Milwaukee Bucks while Shaun Livingston, Jon Leuer and Jon Brockman, along with the 12th pick came Houston’s way.
Dalembert was considered surplus to requirements at the Rockets after they acquired centre Marcus Camby from the Portland Trail Blazers. On the other hand, the trade made sense for the Bucks as they had parted company with centre Andrew Bogut in the trade that brought Monta Ellis to Milwaukee.
The trade also marks the resumption of Houston march up the draft table as they look to bring together an impressive batch of rookies from what is perceived to be a very deep class in 2012. The Rockets are believed to be angling for a deal with Orlando Magic for the services of super star Dwight Howard.
Houston are prepared to take Howard in the last year of his contract without guarantees that he would sign an extension with the team. They will look to use the rookies acquired in the draft, along with other pieces such from the roster to entice Orlando into a trade.
The Magic for their part are not yet sure about how to move forward. It is widely believed in the league that they would be open for a trade of Dwight Howard as he isn’t likely to extend his contract further with them.
The franchise though has made changes at the top and the new executives have not shown their hand yet.
If Houston can get into the top ten picks in the draft, they could be in a good position to make the move for Howard. The Rockets need a trade with the Sacramento Kings to go through to achieve that end.
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