September 28

By: Ace

The Rockets have finally pulled the trigger on a deal that was set to happen as far as a few weeks ago. Bryce Drew, our third string point guard, finally got his wish by getting traded to a team close to home and where he is almost guaranteed a starting position. The Rockets will supposedly receive either a restricted first round pick or two second round picks.

The event of his departure became clear as the season progressed. When Moochie Norris came on board and stoned in his name as the backup to Steve Francis, his fate was all but sealed.

Bryce averaged 5.1 points and 2 assists during his two seasons with the Rockets. As a starter (in a span of five games last year), he averaged 17.2 points and 6.6 assists. Those numbers are pretty impressive and prove that he is starter material.

The Rockets basically did Drew a favor by trading him away to a team in need to his services, rather than keeping him here to rot away at the end of the bench. Although it doesn't seem to satisfying to get so little in return (whether we could have received more is actually very debatable), the trade could eventually pan out in our favor. Remember, the Rockets always seem to find the gems late in the draft. Our lottery picks lately haven't been too satisfying. Collier? Give me a brake. The only successful one I can remember thus far happened more than sixteen years ago. The guy we picked up? Hakeem Olajuwon.

From the Bulls' perspective, they get a steal. Drew can be formidable starter, works great under their system, and will not draw attention from their current stars. "Bryce Drew is a sound basketball player and a fine young man who we are excited to see play in our system," said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause.

I'm not necessarily upset by his leaving, though, as we already have two decent point guards. Drew needed more room to develop into a decent starter, and he wasn't getting it here. Proof of that is that his career moment is still defined by his "game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Mississippi".

The deal has the Bulls taking on Drew' s entire contract ($1.8 million), while the Rockets carry no further contractual burdens as draft picks do not count against the cap in a trade.