With most of the big names in free agency now off the market, the Miami Heat will likely have to pursue trades to fill its needs for depth at point guard and small forward. And forward Udonis Haslem's name has come up in several trade scenarios that involved the Heat.Haslem, a Miami native, says he expects to remain with the team for 2007-08.The Heat has had recent trade talks with the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics, among other teams. Link
This is the perfect trade for Houston to make if he really is being shopped, and it works out great for the Heat as well.Battier straight up for Haslem. They have almost identical contracts, and each fills out the others teams' needs. With Kapono gone, and I believe Posey going out the door, the Heat really need a SF, a 3pt shooter, and one who can lockdown guys like Luol deng (Who KILLED the Heat in the playoffs). Battier is still young and is a glue guy for any team he is with. He'd be a great fit on the Heat.For the Rockets, they would get a fantastic and proven PF to fill out those needs. He is a very nice rebounder, very good defender at the PF position, can hit the midrange jumpshot, and is young. He also allows the Rockets to move T-Mac to the 3, where he is ultimately the most effective. It's a perfect fit for the Rockets.If the Heat can't land an elite PG with haslem as trade bait, I think a Battier-Haslem deal would be very plausible.
I think this is one of the better trade idea's out there for both teams. With the Rockets needing a starting caliber power forward, that can rebound, play solid man defense, and contribute some scoring. Like Battier, he is a good glue guy, and I would want a player like him on my team any day of the week. For the Heat it gives them someone that can play lockdown defense, and force the other small forwards in to the league into tough shots. With Rashard Lewis also coming to their own conference, they could use someone that can play tough defense at that spot. All throughout the east there are a group of players that will play small forward that can get it down with scoring. Lebron James, Paul Pierce, Rashard Lewis, Richard Jefferson, Rashard Lewis and a few more. They could definately use someone that can play tough defense on these guys. He also provides a solid outside shot, a better athlete next to Dwayne Wade than Kapono and Posey, and someone that can do everything to get things done. They only bad thing I see, is if Haslem leaves, who do they start at the power forward spot? Antoine Walker with Wayne Simien as his backup? If that's the case, they loose alot in rebounding, and defense at the power forward position. I think this could be one potential problem with trading Haslem for anyone.
I would like us to bring in someone like that but I really like Haslem and if we trade him, we're really gonna miss his rebounding and hustle play. He is the guy that does all of our dirty work and is very reliable to give you a solid game every night.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Jul 18 2007, 06:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They only bad thing I see, is if Haslem leaves, who do they start at the power forward spot? Antoine Walker with Wayne Simien as his backup? If that's the case, they loose alot in rebounding, and defense at the power forward position. I think this could be one potential problem with trading Haslem for anyone.</div>Well, at times they could also put Zo at PF. I don't believe they have used their MLE yet, so they can still go out and fish for guys like PJ Brown to help out in that department. It is much harder to fill in their defensive needs at the SF spot, along with 3pt shooting, than it is to find a filler at PF who can rebound and play solid defense. With 3 of the Heat's toughest opponenets being the Bulls, Nets and Cavs, all having all star level SF's, getting Battier could prove to be extremely valuable.Battier is somewhat expendable for the Rockets as they are loaded from the 1-3 positions and 6'6'' Hayes is our only NBA proven PF.
does it say anywhere in the article that the heat have talked with the Rockets? you need to stop speculating that the Rockets will get every appealing player on the market.some kind of package for mike bibby would make sense, I know sacto is looking for a PF. something like haslem, doleac, wright for bibby?
I believe that he may also being shopped to the Washington Wizards in a deal for Juan Carlos Navarro. There are a couple supposed trade scenario's according to sources: James Posey or Udonis Haslem + A First Round Draft Pick for Navarro + Thomas or Haywood. As for Haslem being shopped, who are the Heat planning on starting at the 4? I would much rather keep Haslem and have to continue to start Jason Williams than trade for a solid PG but have Antonio Walker start.Walker was known for his solid three point shooting last season. However, this year, Walker couldn't hit a three to save his life. Also, overtime, Walker's rebounding has also gotten weaker. If Haslem is traded, it forces the Heat to make another deal for a starting PF.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (time takes time @ Jul 18 2007, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>does it say anywhere in the article that the heat have talked with the Rockets? you need to stop speculating that the Rockets will get every appealing player on the market.some kind of package for mike bibby would make sense, I know sacto is looking for a PF. something like haslem, doleac, wright for bibby?</div>http://www.bballworld.us/forum/index.php?s...st&p=381447http://www.bballworld.us/forum/index.php?s...st&p=400076I have been wanting Haslem for quite awhile. He is an awesome option at PF for the Rockets, and he is the best option in which the trade makes a whole lot of sense for both teams and both teams get fair and equal value.Who cares if the Rockets aren't mentioned in the article? I never said it was a rumor, all I said is if Haslem is getting shopped, this could be a great oppertunity for the Rockets to make their move at a good PF. It is a very realistic scenario and works out for both teams.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>If Haslem is traded, it forces the Heat to make another deal for a starting PF.</div>Not necassarily. Battier is a guy the Heat REALLY need, and Walker would be fine at the 4. To help rebounding and defense, they could sign PJ Brown or someone along those lines to beef up the frontcourt a bit. Battier right now is more needed to the Heat than Haslem.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 18 2007, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not necassarily. Battier is a guy the Heat REALLY need, and Walker would be fine at the 4. To help rebounding and defense, they could sign PJ Brown or someone along those lines to beef up the frontcourt a bit. Battier right now is more needed to the Heat than Haslem.</div>Battier is a nice addition to the squad but I don't feel as though Walker would be a solid starting 4 anymore. If the Heat do in fact trade away Udonis haslem, they should definitely consider PJ Brown as you said. He's a solid veteran, like many other heat players, and proved last year that he can still contribute as a starter.Also, PJ Brown would be able to play his game more comfortabely than he did in Chicago because the Heat have no need for a post scorer.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jul 18 2007, 08:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Battier is a nice addition to the squad but I don't feel as though Walker would be a solid starting 4 anymore. If the Heat do in fact trade away Udonis haslem, they should definitely consider PJ Brown as you said. He's a solid veteran, like many other heat players, and proved last year that he can still contribute as a starter.Also, PJ Brown would be able to play his game more comfortabely than he did in Chicago because the Heat have no need for a post scorer.</div>Walker is still starting material IMO. At the 4 you have to respect his range, and he can still drive past some 4's and make plays for himself and others. They would definately need to add depth, but as I said before, the free agent market has a few guys who are very suitable to play 15-20MPG. And with Shaq/Zo in the front court as well, a lot of pressure is lifted off a guy like Walker or Brown defensively and offensively.But until they can slow down guys like LeBron and Deng, this team will continue to lose. On a team that lost its heart last yearthey also really need toughness, and Battier brings them that. He will slide on floor, grab loose balls, jump over scorer's table, take charges, etc... He also gives them much needed 3pt shooting.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 18 2007, 09:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Walker is still starting material IMO. At the 4 you have to respect his range, and he can still drive past some 4's and make plays for himself and others. They would definately need to add depth, but as I said before, the free agent market has a few guys who are very suitable to play 15-20MPG. And with Shaq/Zo in the front court as well, a lot of pressure is lifted off a guy like Walker or Brown defensively and offensively.But until they can slow down guys like LeBron and Deng, this team will continue to lose. On a team that lost its heart last yearthey also really need toughness, and Battier brings them that. He will slide on floor, grab loose balls, jump over scorer's table, take charges, etc... He also gives them much needed 3pt shooting.</div>Udonis Haslem will do those same things, diving for loose balls, take charges, set picks. He is just as much of a hustle and heart player as Shane Battier, so that's not really where he is going to be a great addition to the team. It's his ability to guard the small forwards, and shoot the three that gives them the benefit of this trade. He alone is not going to provide them with anymore heart and hustle than what Haslem gives this team.However, I disagree with Walker being a starting caliber power forward anymore in this league. His rebounding has regressed, his defense has never been that great to begin with. The only thing he would provide is someone that can pull the other teams power forward away from the basket leaving Shaq/Zo to be down low against the other teams center for rebounds. That would be good for a little bit of time, but sooner or later they are going to need some better defense and rebounding from that area. That is especially for a team that wasn't that good of a rebounding team as it was. Loosing their best rebounder, and replacing him with Antonie Walker is going to hurt the teams rebounding even more. Getting PJ Brown would somewhat help that, but, it's still going to hurt with Walker getting big minutes at power forward these days, especially defensively.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 18 2007, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.bballworld.us/forum/index.php?s...st&p=381447http://www.bballworld.us/forum/index.php?s...st&p=400076I have been wanting Haslem for quite awhile. He is an awesome option at PF for the Rockets, and he is the best option in which the trade makes a whole lot of sense for both teams and both teams get fair and equal value.Who cares if the Rockets aren't mentioned in the article? I never said it was a rumor, all I said is if Haslem is getting shopped, this could be a great oppertunity for the Rockets to make their move at a good PF. It is a very realistic scenario and works out for both teams.Not necassarily. Battier is a guy the Heat REALLY need, and Walker would be fine at the 4. To help rebounding and defense, they could sign PJ Brown or someone along those lines to beef up the frontcourt a bit. Battier right now is more needed to the Heat than Haslem.</div>did you get my point? I said you think that every decent player on the market has a good chance of coming to houston. It's simply not true at all. In that first link you gave me, you proved my point even further, by listing three players that you won't get. Rashard Lewis, Mike James, and Ron Artest. then there was steve francis, nocioni, darko, and now udonis haslem. forgive me if I'm leaving out a few. I probably am.I'm just tired of you coming up with a trade idea every time
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (time takes time @ Jul 18 2007, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>does it say anywhere in the article that the heat have talked with the Rockets? you need to stop speculating that the Rockets will get every appealing player on the market.some kind of package for mike bibby would make sense, I know sacto is looking for a PF. something like haslem, doleac, wright for bibby?</div>I don't know why they would want to trade Haslem for Bibby, I wouldn't do it if I was the Heat. Sure Bibby is a scoring point guard, but he's really not that great at anything but shooting from the point guard spot. He is older and can't get into the lane in the same way anymore, he could never play defense, he is not a great distributor of the ball from the point guard spot, and he is alot older than Haslem. Haslem is a player that can be good now, while being able to score a little bit, plays solid man defense, and is an outstanding rebounder. Then you factor in that he is younger, and can continue to be solid in the future, as well as have greater trade value in the future than Bibby and that to me would be a dumb trade for the Heat.For the Kings though, that would be outstanding. Let the offense run through Kevin Martin more, and let him be the scorer, while getting one of the two worst rebounding teams in the league much needed rebounding help. It also provides one of the worst defensive teams in the league someone else that can play solid defense, helping push this team to be tougher and better with Artest on the court also.
I based that off of the rumor that the heat have interest in bibby. I don't know how strong the interest is or anything, but just an idea. and you know how miami just loves to stack on the talent.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Jul 18 2007, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Udonis Haslem will do those same things, diving for loose balls, take charges, set picks. He is just as much of a hustle and heart player as Shane Battier, so that's not really where he is going to be a great addition to the team. It's his ability to guard the small forwards, and shoot the three that gives them the benefit of this trade. He alone is not going to provide them with anymore heart and hustle than what Haslem gives this team.</div>Well, speaking from experience, Battier (and Chuck Hayes) were the biggest difference between the Rockets in 05-06 and 06-07. When Yao went down last year (05-06), the team was playing well below .500. Going through the motions, playing without any agression or assertiveness. With his energy, hustle, consistency and tendency to always play his heart out, it really rubbed off on the other players this seaosn, and they really pushed through all of the injuries and had a 52 win season.Haselm does some of those things as well, but does it more quietly than a guy like Battier. He is the perfect role player, as seen with him being invited to play for Team USA.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>However, I disagree with Walker being a starting caliber power forward anymore in this league. His rebounding has regressed, his defense has never been that great to begin with. The only thing he would provide is someone that can pull the other teams power forward away from the basket leaving Shaq/Zo to be down low against the other teams center for rebounds. That would be good for a little bit of time, but sooner or later they are going to need some better defense and rebounding from that area. That is especially for a team that wasn't that good of a rebounding team as it was. Loosing their best rebounder, and replacing him with Antonie Walker is going to hurt the teams rebounding even more. Getting PJ Brown would somewhat help that, but, it's still going to hurt with Walker getting big minutes at power forward these days, especially defensively.</div>He is not a guy that will play 35-40MPG anymore, but he can still stretch out the defense, create off the dribble, and overall is a solid player. With Shaq and Zo by him, any defensive woes or rebounding problems will be hidden moreso than if he had a Nenad Krstic by him. As I said before, a PJ Brown type player would fill in most of what Haslem offered. But, with a conference that isn't very strong at PF, Battier is more needed by the Heat. They need his 3pt shooting over Haslem's midrange game, and they need his defense on the elite SG/SF that have killed the Heat in the past (Deng, Bron averaged 40PPG agains tthem 2 years back, Crawford and his 50+ outburst, etc...).<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>did you get my point? I said you think that every decent player on the market has a good chance of coming to houston. It's simply not true at all. In that first link you gave me, you proved my point even further, by listing three players that you won't get. Rashard Lewis, Mike James, and Ron Artest. then there was steve francis, nocioni, darko, and now udonis haslem. forgive me if I'm leaving out a few. I probably am.I'm just tired of you coming up with a trade idea every time</div>Uhh, buddy, the Rockets DID get Mike James. Rashard Lewis said that after he came back home from meeting with Orlando, there was a box waiting on his door with a Rockets jersey and everything else sent by the Rockets. His agent also said the Rockets were very agressive in trying to get him. Evidently the Maloofs don't like Adelman so they are refusing to send Artest to Hoiuston, but every rumor involving Artest has him going for a very cheap price like the Rockets were rumored to offer. Francis loves Houston and that has been strongly rumored as a top spot for him Darko was brought up because if Memphis didn't sign him, he would have likely went for the MLE, and Rockets need a PF worse than probably every other team in the league.And yes, you are leaving out a few. But bottom line is the Haslem trade is a very realistic trade possibility that I think the Rockets should explore. Being that the Rockets were a 52 win team last despite having no PG outside of Alston, Yao out for 32 games, T-mac out for 10, Bonzi playing only 1/4 of the year....it is fair to assume they are pretty close to really having something special in Houston. Being that the only real hole the Rockets have is at PF, it is understandable to why I am so anxious to see a move done. if you don't like it, then stop reading my posts in the rumors or Rockets section.
While I think a Haslem/Battier deal is good for both sides, it's contingent on how Miami does in free agency. They clearly have an option with signing and trading Posey, and also the exceptions to land a replacement in Barnes/Pietrus. If free agency were to dry up with Miami finding no suitors and unable to retain Posey, then yes I could see this as a possible deal.But it just comes down to how Miami fares with free agents, no need to puruse such a deal right now when they have the chance to add without subtracting.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 18 2007, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well, speaking from experience, Battier (and Chuck Hayes) were the biggest difference between the Rockets in 05-06 and 06-07. When Yao went down last year (05-06), the team was playing well below .500. Going through the motions, playing without any agression or assertiveness. With his energy, hustle, consistency and tendency to always play his heart out, it really rubbed off on the other players this seaosn, and they really pushed through all of the injuries and had a 52 win season.Haselm does some of those things as well, but does it more quietly than a guy like Battier. He is the perfect role player, as seen with him being invited to play for Team USA.</div>While Battier gets more recognition for it, it's still a fact that Udonis Haslem is just as much of a hustler and heart type of player as Shane Battier is. Dwayne Wade and Haslem was the only reason that Miami team full of injuries, and fat over weight players, was actually able to stay around .500 without Shaq there. His rebounding, defense, and outright hustle was a major contributor to this team being able to do that.As for Hayes and Battier, it seems to me while they had a big part in that team being good, the biggest difference between 05-06 and 06-07 was that Tracy Mcgrady was actually healthy for most of the season. As has been seen when he has stayed healthy, the Rockets are a 50 win team no matter who is on the court. When he's not healthy, that team has not even been a playoff team. Again, I know those two's hustle had a big impact on the team, but having a healthy Mcgrady for most of the season seemed to be the biggest reason for them being so good this year. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He is not a guy that will play 35-40MPG anymore, but he can still stretch out the defense, create off the dribble, and overall is a solid player. With Shaq and Zo by him, any defensive woes or rebounding problems will be hidden moreso than if he had a Nenad Krstic by him. As I said before, a PJ Brown type player would fill in most of what Haslem offered.</div>Well see, there's one thing that is not the most re-assuring. You say with Shaq and Zo by him, but the problem there, is that Shaq it is almost guranteed that Shaq will miss some playing time, probably atleast 20 games or so. When he is out, and Zo is then the starting center, he isn't going to be as protected. If Zo gets into foul trouble, then they are going to be in even more trouble, even if they get Brown. They are going to miss Haslem's rebounding, and low post defense the most when Shaq gets injured. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>But, with a conference that isn't very strong at PF, Battier is more needed by the Heat. They need his 3pt shooting over Haslem's midrange game, and they need his defense on the elite SG/SF that have killed the Heat in the past (Deng, Bron averaged 40PPG agains tthem 2 years back, Crawford and his 50+ outburst, etc...).</div>I realise they need that guy to play the 3, but with another Shaq injury they could end up needing some more rebounding and low post defense, along with someone that can get it done from 15 feet and in consistently.
I like Battier a lot and I would like him on the Heat but the fact is that we need Haslem more, they are both hustle players that give their all every game, but Haslem is more valuable to us because he is a great rebounder and we can count on him to play big minutes when Shaq gets injured, I love Battier but we need Haslem more. However if we get a guy like PJ Brown, a Haslem/Battier deal would be pretty good.
FACE IT . battier will not be traded by the rockets. we can only offer alston head and lucas. And with heat getting smush, the deal is probably off. </p>
