The season is about half way over, with the trade deadline right around the corner and our TE expiring as well, what should the Rockets first priority be? Should we look to get a big who can log minutes at backup C/PF, or should our PG "weakness" be addressed first? We have a few pieces to work with so it's possible to get both a (backup/defensive/scoring) PG and a (rebounding/banging) big by the deadlines. Does anyone believe that if one or both of these issues are not addressed that we will not go far, or as far as we hope, in the playoffs? Suggestion: Use the TE on Kelvin Cato, if not then burn it, save the cap space because it will be more useful in the offseason, unless we get a worthwhile player out of it that is. Rafer Alston is good enough, so we don't need a PG right now. The Rockets should make a hard run at Chauncey Billups in the offseason making Rafer our backup PG. We should try to save our draft picks (at least the first) considering it's a deep draft, but if they are the dealbreaker in a really effective trade (favoring us) we should go for it since we are trying to win now. When it's all said and done, I think Bonzi/(Snyder), and possibly Rafer will not be wearing Rockets uniforms come March. Our TE, 2nd rounder and some cash will be used to aqcuire a player as well. Anyone suggest something different?
Who do we trade for Billups? Unless Detroit flames out in the first round of the playoffs this year, there's no reason Joe Dumars would tear the team apart. Billups is their best player and even if the Pistons decide to tear the team apart and rebuild, what do the Rockets have to offer? Young talent, no. Big expiring contracts, no. We'd be looking at giving up Yao or TMac if we're going to go after Billups, and I don't like the sound of it. As for the move, I'd stay put right now. Chuck Hayes and Mutombo have done a decent job as backups and if Hayes moves back into the starting lineup when Yao comes back, the Rockets would be pretty set with Juwan, Deke and Padgett off the bench. Trading for Cato would be nice, but he's nowhere near the player he was before he left the Rockets.
I don't think the Rockets NEED to make a trade. When Yao is healthy, the center position is perfect. SF: Battier takes up most and he is a great player to have around Tmac/Yao SG: Tmac takes up most the minutes I'm just guessing that Battier is at SF, and Tmac @ SG, or vice versa. So that leaves PG and PF, obviously the two positions with room to improve. I think Houston should only make a move if they can make a considerable improvement.
The Rockets definatley need to stay put. But if we trade, it'll have to be either Howard, Skip, Snyder or Spanoulis (if we wanna get something good back). I don't wanna part with any one of those players, but if we can get an athletic big with midrange game then so be it. I'd also love to see Andre Miller in a Rockets uni. I envision him the best type of PG to run this team. As far as Bonzi, the Rockets would have to be STUPID to trade him now. With Tmac's back actin up, we could use another scorer.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who do we trade for Billups? Unless Detroit flames out in the first round of the playoffs this year, there's no reason Joe Dumars would tear the team apart. Billups is their best player and even if the Pistons decide to tear the team apart and rebuild, what do the Rockets have to offer? Young talent, no. Big expiring contracts, no. We'd be looking at giving up Yao or TMac if we're going to go after Billups, and I don't like the sound of it. </div> Chauncey Billups has a player option this offseason. No trade would be necessary, just a fat contract offer. If we pick him up I will take all bets for the Rockets as 07-08 Champions. Anyone know how much money the Rockets will be allowed to spend in the offseason and still be under the cap limit? <div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets definatley need to stay put. But if we trade, it'll have to be either Howard, Skip, Snyder or Spanoulis (if we wanna get something good back). I don't wanna part with any one of those players, but if we can get an athletic big with midrange game then so be it. I'd also love to see Andre Miller in a Rockets uni. I envision him the best type of PG to run this team. As far as Bonzi, the Rockets would have to be STUPID to trade him now. With Tmac's back actin up, we could use another scorer.</div> Yea, I guess you're right. The only reason I want Cato is because he's an okay defender and can be used for fouls. I don't think anyone is looking at Spanoulis right now, I heard the rumors and don't think they're true, although I believe he would thrive with PHO, TOR, GS, DEN, and DAL who are all stacked at the guard postions. I like Andre Miller and thought we had a shot at acquiring him until Philly got him. He cost them AI so to pry him from their hands would cost us at least Battier, Sura (filler), and some picks/Head.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yea, I guess you're right. The only reason I want Cato is because he's an okay defender and can be used for fouls. I don't think anyone is looking at Spanoulis right now, I heard the rumors and don't think they're true, although I believe he would thrive with PHO, TOR, GS, DEN, and DAL who are all stacked at the guard postions.</div> I've always supported Cato. I remember his first preseason game for the Rockets, he played like a BEAST (he was actually foaming at the mouth ). I think he's the best back up for Yao. But with Deke playin like he's 21, I don't know if I'd take away from his playin time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Chauncey Billups has a player option this offseason. No trade would be necessary, just a fat contract offer. If we pick him up I will take all bets for the Rockets as 07-08 Champions. Anyone know how much money the Rockets will be allowed to spend in the offseason and still be under the cap limit? </div>We only have the MLE to spend. I don't have the exact figures in front of me, but I figure that Yao, McGrady, Howard and Battier alone would take up the whole salary cap. Our goal would be to be under the salary tax threshold, as it'll be impossible to get under the cap enough to throw Billups such a big offer.
Im pretty sure we are getting someone and dumping Sura's contract. I doubt we are going to trade away anyone else (why mess with a winning formula?). I remember Morey saying he will definately make a trade before the deadline.
^Yea, Morey said that, but I think that was after we lost 3 straight, was it not? <div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We only have the MLE to spend. I don't have the exact figures in front of me, but I figure that Yao, McGrady, Howard and Battier alone would take up the whole salary cap. Our goal would be to be under the salary tax threshold, as it'll be impossible to get under the cap enough to throw Billups such a big offer.</div> Okay, screw the cap limit. Is it possible to sign him for a lot of $$$ and just go over the cap? I don't think it is, but I may be wrong. If not, I am sure that if Billups wanted out of DET (Ben wanted a pay day so why can't he, and the Pistons may not even make it out of the ECF) couldn't DET just do a sign and trade (don't know if he'd have to opt out first) and the Rockets would give them some cash and a second rounder?
No. You'd have to be under the cap to offer anything more than the MLE ($5 mil/year). In a trade, the salaries involved must match up from both teams to a certain percentage (25% difference max I believe), unless one team is under the cap and can absorb the salaries. That's why New York only has the MLE to spend every offseason, and they do spend it because they don't care if they pay the luxury tax. The Rockets are not in that situation. Basically, if we do a sign and trade and Detroit signs Billups to a $10 mil/year contract and then trades him to the Rockets, we'd have to give up $10 mil in equivalent salary, unless trade exceptions come to play (I don't believe we have a large TE).
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No. You'd have to be under the cap to offer anything more than the MLE ($5 mil/year). In a trade, the salaries involved must match up from both teams to a certain percentage (25% difference max I believe), unless one team is under the cap and can absorb the salaries. That's why New York only has the MLE to spend every offseason, and they do spend it because they don't care if they pay the luxury tax. The Rockets are not in that situation. Basically, if we do a sign and trade and Detroit signs Billups to a $10 mil/year contract and then trades him to the Rockets, we'd have to give up $10 mil in equivalent salary, unless trade exceptions come to play (I don't believe we have a large TE).</div> I thought you could trade draft picks straight up for a player. Well DET could trade his 6.8 mil salary with his player option this offseason and we could always sign a bigger deal for him, that is if he does agree. We could offer DET Bob Sura and pay his salary, and there pick between Bonzi/Rafer/Snyder and a 2nd rounder.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I thought you could trade draft picks straight up for a player. Well DET could trade his 6.8 mil salary with his player option this offseason and we could always sign a bigger deal for him, that is if he does agree. We could offer DET Bob Sura and pay his salary, and there pick between Bonzi/Rafer/Snyder and a 2nd rounder.</div> You could trade a pick for a player straight up if you're under the cap enough to absorb the salary without going over. Even if we do manage to land Billups and sign him to a $10 mil/year contract, our own payroll would be shot to hell, with TMac, Yao and Billups potentially taking up $45 million alone. That leaves us with little flexibility to bring in more players and orchestrate trades. Outside of the Knicks, I don't think any team has three players playing on $10 mil/year contracts or more.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Outside of the Knicks, I don't think any team has three players playing on $10 mil/year contracts or more.</div> There are actually 5 other teams (other than the Knicks), that have 3 players making more than 10 mill or more per year. Suns: Nash = 10, Marion = 15, Amare = 12 Nets: Kidd = 18, Carter = 15, RJ = 11 Lakers: Kobe = 18, Brian Grant = 15.5, Odom = 12.5 Boston: PP = 15, Ratliff = 11, Wally Z = 11 Denver: AI = 18, Kmart = 12, Nene = 10
Talked to John Lopez today and he's said Bonzi and Sura for P.J Brown has been discussed, I think that'd be stupid and wouldn't make any sense.
<div class="quote_poster">Omarion Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There are actually 5 other teams (other than the Knicks), that have 3 players making more than 10 mill or more per year. Suns: Nash = 10, Marion = 15, Amare = 12 Nets: Kidd = 18, Carter = 15, RJ = 11 Lakers: Kobe = 18, Brian Grant = 15.5, Odom = 12.5 Boston: PP = 15, Ratliff = 11, Wally Z = 11 Denver: AI = 18, Kmart = 12, Nene = 10</div> LOL. But, uh, none of those teams are in contention for any big name free agents. The Rockets also have some relatively big contracts in Howard, Battier and Alston. TMac will make $20 mil, Yao $15 and if Billups get $10 then the Rockets would have like $20 mil to distribute around the other 12 players.
<div class="quote_poster">Blurr#7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Talked to John Lopez today and he's said Bonzi and Sura for P.J Brown has been discussed, I think that'd be stupid and wouldn't make any sense.</div> P.J Brown for Bonzi? That could potentially make me refrain myself from ever watching another Rocket game. Tell me ur kidding or making this up.
At this point in time this team is great and has no need. For a trade. I don't know if any of you notice but T-Mac who isn't as dominant as his orlando days is winning games with out yao meaning his supporting cast now is a lot better than his supporting cast in orlando. Meaning if we get yao back we are looking at a good run at the championships. There is no need to give up all our picks of the future just to make sure we have a good run this year wut if what we want doesn't happen. This team we have now is the best shot we can have for the championship and there will be no need to make a deal.
I have to add I believe in this Rockets team like no other and take back all my comments against the Battier-Gay deal because i never knew what kind of a glue guy he really is.
I'm too lazy and tired to type something long but this is all I have to say: We are clicking right now so don't make a trade! This team deserves to be together. Juwan deserves to stay here, so does Chuck, Alston and even Bonzi! Goodnight!
Looks like everyone wants to stay put. I just hope CD feels the same way, because after all, Morey said to expect a trade...did he say mid Feb? I think a lots changed since then so we're good.
