<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets are pretty much set on the roster the will bring to training camp. Changes can come before the season and likely will by the February trade deadline. Check out each of the past two seasons when the Rockets made more deals than any NBA team and the odds are that the roster that shows up in Austin in a few weeks won't go untouched through the season. But as much as news about every available free agent sparks debate about continued summer shopping, the bus is pretty much full. Still, there are free agents that are still looking for a home that merit a bit more conversation. Bonzi Wells once seemed like the ideal fit for the Rockets' off-season needs. He was too expensive then, and turned down contracts larger than the Rockets offered. But now most of the better teams have spent their summer allowance. The Rockets have just $2.1 million of their mid-level exception left. Wells might need to take a one-year deal and look for a better offer next summer and then next time, take it. But even if he was willing to come to Houston at such a cut rate -- and we doubt he would -- the Rockets might be ready to check out Kirk Snyder first. Just as the Kings were ready to go with Kevin Martin, the Rockets could do well to see if Snyder is ready to take advantage of the opportunity here. Snyder is not the low-post threat Wells is, but Wells would not get touches in the post on a team with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Wells gets the edge as a rebounder. Snyder shoots with better range, is bigger and does not have the disruptive history. And Wells might not be a guy you want when unhappy with his contract. Michael Olowokandi and Kelvin Cato are very different players. Olowokandi has the offensive touch of a former No. 1 pick of a draft. Cato did play well in his last season-and-a-half with the Rockets. But both have motivation issues. Cato's a good guy, but is not the power forward that fits the Rockets needs or future (see the blog item about fours before it somehow became about point guard Rafer Alston.) The answer is simple: never, ever, ever again go for players with motivation problems. Keith Van Horn is interesting. He is still slow-footed and the Rockets have enough of that. When he came back from his injury last spring, he seemed to be a hack-a-Shaq specialist even before the Mavericks were playing the Heat. And he has had injury issues. But he can shoot with range and plays hard. Eventually, that job will fall to Steve Novak, but Van Horn might be worth a call later on if the Rockets need help up front. For now, however, seem eager to see what they've got. There's a lot of that going around, which is why some unexpected players are still without a home two weeks before the first camps open.</div> Source
The houston front office would be F'in idiots if they think like this guy. Bonzi would not get the ball alot in the post when in there with TMac and Yao, but he would be the #1 option when they rested. Something this team hasn't had. Bonzi would make a couple guys expendable, but I don't think Snyder would be one of them. Rockets need another scorer and to add depth, and thats exactly what the guy would bring. Why would Bonzi what to be a disruption if he will be playing for a big contract next season? I wish I could write for a newspaper so I can say dumb stuff like an almost retiring KVH is interesting when they got almost a duplicate younger version in Novak. KVH would help up front? Really? Really?
Apparently, the Rockets are pursuing Bonzi Wells. 'Bout time, I'd say. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nuggets, Rockets and Heat are reportedly the teams with the most interest in Bonzi Wells, the biggest name still left on the free agent market. Denver is probably the front-runner; they have enough big men to offer something to the Kings in a sign-and-trade.</div>
^Hoopshype. Thats definitely good to hear that the front office is at least making an effort to sign Bonzi Wells, who would definitely be a great player to have on this team. Not sure about our chances of actually getting him though. Denver has a lot of trade assets like Andre Miller, Reggie Evans, Eduardo Najera, and possibly Marcus Camby. Good thing is, Sacramento might not even want to get those guys because of the cost and their contracts. Meanwhile, we're armed mainly with the trade exception (I think?).
Its good to hear we are interested. We definetly can use that type of player. I think that if we can get Bonzi, then Battier will definetly have to start at 4. But I still have 1 question. Do rockets have enough money for him? I think the only way we can get him is by tradin, but its good to know that we are atleast attempting to get him. I want Bonzi, he can definetly help our team. After seeing him do so good vs. Spurs in playoffs last year, he is just the right type of guy we need. Houston, get ready to lift off.
I don't see any scenario with Bonzi ending up in Miami, so the only obstacle is Denver. However, the Nuggets just spent their money on Reggie Evans, and are capped without many tradeable pieces. The only player Sacramento might be interested in is Joe Smith (expiring contract), but they're not going to do Bonzi any favors at this point, especially if it involves a Conference contender.
Time for L.Alexander to swallow the cap and offer Bonzi a hefty signing bonus if Sac wont work out a deal. That will also count double against the cap. If Bonzi lands in Houston I start him and have Shane come off the bench being able to play 3 spots. The great team player won't complain, he'll just play. I don't think The Rockets can get away with Starting him at 4 much Time for the front office to realize it IS and always has been about the money.
