mcdaniels didn't take their coercive multi-year minimum contract offer last summer, so they couldn't keep him cheap forever. thus, he needed to move. I think it's an odd move for Houston, given that fact and the fact that they need to win now and two of their only long term contracts are at his position(s). also, he's not all that good, really.
These guys are lottery addicts. It's like a drug for them. "Just keep tanking . . . just keep tanking."
all these draft pick hoarding teams are hilarious (philly, bos, phx, chief among them). where would phx be right now had they simply shipped a late first to the lakers for pau gasol last year? no...gotta develop the young talent. as we're seeing in philly, you don't develop 12 guys at once. and knowing that you're one of 12 being developed doesn't engender a sense of team spirit or loyalty. I'm not saying you should completely punt the draft. not at all. but there's a point of diminishing returns on that volume, and these teams have all found it, imo.