Phx and hou have totally different goals, though. Anderson can’t sniff the floor in the playoffs. With shorter rotations and game-to-game strategical shifts, his weaknesses are exacerbated. But phx doesn’t, and shouldn’t, prioritize that. He can give 20 great offensive minutes a night. A lineup of ayton-ryno-Ariza-bridges-booker will be killer on the offensive end (and passable defensively against the right lineups). Phx hasn’t had an offensive lineup that capable since the dragic era. Anderson can possibly help them win 40 games, which is a huge improvement for a team that’s been barely nba level over the last few years.On the contrary, I literally think it's impossible to make the case the Rockets think he can contribute. If you're arguing that some other team might think so, sure...that's possible. But as to Houston I think we know for sure they don't think he can contribute and while they surely wanted to dump his contract, that's primarily because they didn't want to have to play him.
1. He played 95 total minutes in 11 playoff games, missing 6 comletely. He only played 29 total minutes in a 7 game series last year. That means, without any quesion they did not think he could contribute last year as he was used essentially just in garbage time. I hope you do not dispute this point---if so, it's hopeless.
2. This offseason, the Rockets lost two wings (Ariza and PJ Tucker) who combined played 62 minutes a game. They were so sure Anderson couldn't contribute in those minutes that they a) signed the corpse of Carmelo and b) signed the even colder corpse of Joe Johnson rather than plan to play Anderson more. That's a pretty sure sign they don't think he can play.
3. Then, they traded Anderson
How exactly do you look at that and say there's even a mere scintilla of doubt about whether the Rockets thought Anderson could contribute?
He won’t help them win a championship, but he’s a killer at what he does. I’m very much looking forward to late night league pass watching four out lineups with booker playing point. The suns won’t be playoff bound but they’ll at least be competitive night to night with these additions.