Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle and Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer are reporting that the Rockets are close to acquiring Keith Bogans from the Charlotte Bobcats, and could have a deal done on Thursday.
The Bobcats are asking for Lonny Baxter in return, but Charlotte is under the cap so they don't have to make an even salary swap, according to the reports.
The 6-foot-5 Bogans played four years at the University of Kentucky and was the SEC Player of the Year and an All American as a senior. He was the 43rd pick of the 2003 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, later traded to Orlando on draft day. He played one season with the Magic, along with current Rockets Tracy McGrady and Juwan Howard, before going to Charlotte in a deal no one heard about.
Bogans is not the most efficient scorer, averaging 39% from the field for his career, but is not too shabby from long range, hitting over 34% from downtown. More importantly, he is a good defender and rebounder for his size, averaging a steal per night in just over 21 minutes a game. The move would give the Rockets a little size defensively at the 2/3 that David Wesley can't offer.
Another interesting angle here is that Bogans and Rocket forward Chuck Hayes were teammates in college.
Is this the sexiest acquisition out there for the Rockets? Certainly not, but it does seem to fit the mold of a classic Jeff Van Gundy/Carroll Dawson move: Trade a redundant piece for someone who could possibly have a role here, ala Reece Gaines for Mike James and Tyronn Lue for Jon Barry.
