<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The countdown has begun. Yes, this is the time of year when we hear all kinds of wild rumors about who?s going where and who might look to beat the deadline and pull off a deal that will help a team win the championship. The San Antonio Spurs fall into that category as they look to add someone like Dale Davis to solidify their front line. Then there are the teams who have accepted the reality that they are not going to be playoff teams and are looking to dump salary to improve their free agent acquisition situations this summer. The Utah Jazz, who are on the verge of moving highly touted free agent Carlos Boozer to the Lakers, fall into that unenviable category. Finally, you have teams who are completely lost and have no clue what to do, so they?ll make a move and see what happens. This would be the Atlanta Hawks category, as they discuss moving Antoine Walker just to see what might happen by making a move. It can?t get any worse, right? So as we look at the Houston Rockets, we ask which of these categories the boys in red fall into. The answer is: none. It?s not that the Rockets have no room to improve. They are certainly a ways away from being a title threat in spite of their stellar play heading into the All-Star break. The simple fact is that they don?t have a clear-cut way to improve in the primary area that needs to be addressed. They are offering Mo Taylor and Clarence Weatherspoon to anyone who will listen, but they aren?t getting responses that inspire them to mess with the carefully balanced chemistry that is currently in place.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Interior D is still an issue. Rebounding as well, but it is hard to tamper with an eight game win streak. they don't just happen without a certain amount of chemistry. Any move, as much as i would like some improvement, would have to be carefully considered. I wouldn't like to see us force it.
I don't know if Chicago would do that. He plays a huge role for the Bulls and just like thae Rockets, are one of the hottest teams as of late. I think a trade could destroy some chemistry that they took a while getting. They seem to be adjusting well and a trade could sacrifice wins. The only way I'll say trade is if you guys can get a real steal. Other than that, keep everything the way it is.
Tyson Chandler would be impossible to get, but I think all we need to do for the rest of the season is just ride out. I don't think any team would want to bite on Taylor or Weatherspoon because of their expensive contracts and lack of production. Instead, I think if Houston just stays strong for the rest of the season and do well in the post season, the team will get some interest from free agents in the offseason. In addition to that, I'm really looking forward to the draft and the Spanoulis/Badiane situation. We can probably get a nice power forward in the draft like Wayne Simien or try and get an athletic point guard to backup Sura- either way, I think it helps us. That way, the team can train and such in the offseason and gel as a team that way. If Houston forces anything, it can ruin the team chemistry and hurt us in the post season.
I agree, team chemistry is the best its been since the Hakeem days. We definitely can't tamper with it now. The Off-season is the time we should make some moves, not unless some GM foolishly wants Mo or Spoon, then theres no way we can resist dumping some bad contracts. But we definitely cannotforce anything through.
Personally, I think bringing in Barry and Wesley should allow our team to settle down and start getting ready to get the chemistry needed, and maybe become legit contenders through the draft. However, if we get the chance to get a Donyell Marshall, Chandler, or Reggie Evans, I'd say go for it, as long as we don't trade one of our swingmen. However, since these teams are unlikely to like anyone from our team, I'd predict we stay the way we are, at least until the offseason.
They should not make any moves. This is as good as they will get this year. Bringing in another player will just hold them back some. I say that they let this team run through the Playoff's and see what happens. The Playoff's will exploit their major weakness(s) and that's when they should look to make a move (off-season). Again, this is as good as this team will get this season and they should just let things run the way they are. The Rockets has finally coming together and are pretty much a lock for the Playoff's. They won eight straight and shows no ill effects of slowing down. Also, they have two very young superstars with a lot more years left on their hands, so they should look to take it slow and steady.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, I think bringing in Barry and Wesley should allow our team to settle down and start getting ready to get the chemistry needed, and maybe become legit contenders through the draft. However, if we get the chance to get a Donyell Marshall, Chandler, or Reggie Evans, I'd say go for it, as long as we don't trade one of our swingmen. However, since these teams are unlikely to like anyone from our team, I'd predict we stay the way we are, at least until the offseason.</div> I think Chandler, and Evans are out of the question. Their roles are too big to be suddenly traded. They are also teams that have experienced a great deal of success due to their roles. Marshall on the other hand will be easier to get and will be availible, but Houston had better make a move quick, the deadline is in 2 days. I don't know who Houston would offer, but Toronto is looking for picks etc. Unless the Rockets are willing to do so, I don't see them getting Marshall.
If you read my whole post, you'd notice that I didn't say that these guys were avaliable to us. Chandler and Evans are all big parts of their teams' success, and Marshall can fetch much better than a Maurice Taylor or Weatherspoon. I wouldn't want us to give up another pick, and we have not had a first-round pick for the past two years. If we do get to steal those guys, sure, but I wouldn't want to overpay for them.
Maybe we can take a shot at reggie evans but we have nothing to offer, boozer and nene are on the market, but again we have no one worthy that we can trade. If mo and weatherspoon leave, thatll really be great but there is no possible way. I thought we would have gotten derrick anderson by now, whats up with that, is it off? I read that mutombo makes 19 million dollars a year, which is the second highest in the league so why not try to get a guy who can play the 5 really well and the 4 so we dont have to sign back such a big contract.
I am always a deal-hungry person, but as of right now, let's just let 'em sit. The only deals, in my eyes, that should be made, are for draft picks and Trade Exceptions. With Rashard Lewis saying he'd like to finish his career in Houston, we should do everything in our power to talk to the Sonics for him. Him coming here wouldn't be short of a miracle, but, I am a firm believer that we should be involved in any talks possible. Boozer, Odom, Peja. All deals that were floating around. If the Lakers get Boozer for George, Divac, and Caron Butler, we could throw out a better deal. The Jazz would be getting two injured players, and a unproven Small Forward. The Rockets, could give up our TE (now the largest in amount in the NBA), any of our Draft Picks, And Howard/Taylor/Spoon/Padge/Sura (Definitely worth Boozer). The Warriors have draft picks also, and I am certain that a Mo for something trade was going on. I would give up Mo and our TE for their draft pick. That allows us to have some trade bait, and even if we would want to keep it, we would have a chance at Warrick or Bogut (though they both would be early) <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">19 million dollars a year, which is the second highest in the league so why not try to get a guy who can play the 5 really well and the 4 so we dont have to sign back such a big contract.</div> But, of that 17-19 million, the Rockets are only paying 4.5 million of it. The rest is from the Nets, who are still paying off his contract. Deke said he could play another year, and quite frankly, if he plays half as good as he has been for us, than that's totally worth it. I understand our Guard Rotation, but if we are looking for any guards right now, it should be either off-loading a Point Guard (dropping Barrett, purely for playing time), and getting a new one, or get some insurance, in case we are stuck with Sura out for the rest of the Season (God Forbid). Guards we should be looking at would be Darrell Armstrong, Brevin Knight (unlikely), Antonio Daniels (a better shooting, passing Sura, not the same rebounding), someone in that mold who can fill the role for the Rest of the Season. Spanoulis has been making a lot of noise in the Greek League, and his three-point performances have won many games in the Clutch. Badiane also, in the German League, is coming off an injury, and recently grabbed 8 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. Both are expected to be in Houston, working out with us, next season. I am not burdening our two most fragile positions on second-round European Players, but 'Shard, Mobley, and Manu were all drafted late First and Second (was Manu a First round, or Second?) and they've turned out as amazing players.. Just my 2 cents.
Great post magnomonkey. I just want to ask everyone something to clear something up. What exactly is a trade exception? I've been hearing it around a lot since the McGrady trade and it seems to be something really good, but I just have no clue what the heck it is. Anyone want to clear this up for me? Back on topic, if Rashard Lewis wants to come to Houston- I agree, we should do everything in our power to get him, except for maybe trade the essential pieces. Problem is, there is absolutely no one we can possibly trade for him except for maybe Sura, Taylor (not happening), or Weatherspoon (not happening). But just imagine a team with McGrady, Yao, and Lewis. That would probably also create the deepest rotation this team has ever seen. Anyways, once I again, I have to stick with not doing any trades unless something miraculous comes up. We should just ride out this season and see during offseason, what rookies we're getting and how Spanoulis and Badiane will fair.
A Trade Exception is basically like a salary which you can throw into trades to balance out the money. It's very valuable for teams to have, and we got it when we traded Glen Rice to Utah. Without the exception, Amaechi wouldn't have been matched with Rice's contract legally. As for our future, I wouldn't like to bank all our hopes on two foreign second-rounders, but that might as well be our best option right now. If we can somehow land a Ronny Turiaf or Wayne Simien in the draft, an athletic post player, we'd be much better off for next season. I'd like to see us try to move up when draft time comes, maybe by trading our pick and Taylor, to be in position to grab one of the ACC point guards.
The Rockets might be better off keeping their draft pick instead of using it as a trade bait. Who knows we can get a steal this coming draft. Though the trade deadline nears I'm still hoping we can deal Taylor or Weatherspoon even if it means of using our trade exception provided that we can get a high salaried player with an expiring contract which can help us clear some cap space this summer. Two days left and anything is still possible.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">If you read my whole post, you'd notice that I didn't say that these guys were avaliable to us. Chandler and Evans are all big parts of their teams' success, and Marshall can fetch much better than a Maurice Taylor or Weatherspoon. I wouldn't want us to give up another pick, and we have not had a first-round pick for the past two years. If we do get to steal those guys, sure, but I wouldn't want to overpay for them.</div> If you read my whole post, you'd notice I said they probably wont be availible to you, and I never mentioned what you did or did not say. I don't know who the Rockets can give up to acquire Marshall if they're not willing to sacrifice a 1st rounder. Maybe a nice promising young player, but other than that, I don't know how they can get him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">However, since these teams are unlikely to like anyone from our team, I'd predict we stay the way we are, at least until the offseason.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post"> I think Chandler, and Evans are out of the question. Their roles are too big to be suddenly traded.</div>Why would you tell me essentially the same thing that I myself said? I never said they were in the question, but rather they'd be dream acquirements. If we have to give up one of our key guys to get one of those three, I wouldn't even do it, since Juwan Howard and Padgett are already doing a good job at the power forward spot. If we can give up Mo Taylor and get one of those three, then I'd like the trade.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Why would you tell me essentially the same thing that I myself said? I never said they were in the question, but rather they'd be dream acquirements. If we have to give up one of our key guys to get one of those three, I wouldn't even do it, since Juwan Howard and Padgett are already doing a good job at the power forward spot. If we can give up Mo Taylor and get one of those three, then I'd like the trade.</div> You said if you get a chance to get them, and I said there is probably no chance in getting them. What three are you talking about?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">You said if you get a chance to get them, and I said there is probably no chance in getting them. What three are you talking about?</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">However, if we get the chance to get a Donyell Marshall, Chandler, or Reggie Evans, I'd say go for it, as long as we don't trade one of our swingmen.</div>I didn't state that we could get them, but rather as a projection. And the three are Chandler, Evans and Marshall.
