http://clutchfans.net/news/1405/battier_fo...rd_lewis_trade/<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports Saturday morning that the Rockets "intend to contact" the Seattle Sonics about a sign-and-trade deal for Rashard Lewis.According to Hughes, the Rockets will offer Shane Battier and their first round pick in this month's NBA Draft (#26) for the hometown product Lewis.The problem though, if this scenario is legitimate, is the NBA Draft is June 28 while teams can't negotiate with free agents until July 1. The Rockets would have to take a big risk by drafting who the Sonics want at 26 without a sign-and-trade deal in place.Hughes though, who is suddenly overflowing with Rocket information in his column, says Rockets great Clyde Drexler has breakfast daily with Lewis and feels he could help entice the 6-foot-10 forward in to joining the Rockets.Lewis is coming off of a career season with averages of 22.4 points on 46.1% shooting (39% from three-ball), 6.6 boards and 1.1 steals.Battier was more than solid for the Rockets in his first season in Houston, especially defensively. The 6-foot-8 forward is not near the scorer that Lewis is, but he excelled from long range (42.1%) to go with averages of 10.1 points and 4.1 boards.A team that wants to win now doesn't seek to trade away a player like a Shane Battier. You're talking about a player who is smart, efficient in all areas professional on and off the floor.But the Rockets are in a predicament. They sorely need a "third guy" and Battier may be the team's only trade nugget. Would the Spurs try to trade away Bruce Bowen? No. But if they didn't have Manu Ginobili and could get him for Bowen?That's where this team may be finding itself.</div>I wouldn't mind Rashard playing here at all.
What does this mean for Kevin Durant? If Seattle does trade Lewis to the Rockets and picks up Battier, how does Durant fit into the lineup. It wouldn't make sense to start the both of them or put either on the bench because eventually the other one will want to be traded.I can see Lewis playing well for the Rockets, but Battier was really solid on defense and you could see what he was doing to AK47 in the first round, he completely shut him out.
On Seattles part. Shane Battier or Kevin Durant both can play the 2 and 3. Shane Battier played SG his first two seasons in Memphis and actually played in more of a scoring role in our team. And Kevin Durant is fast enough as a player to play the 2.On Houstons part, if this happens, Houston will officially be a shooting, soft team. This will look good on paper, but in reality it wont do anything, probably just hurt them on the defensive end....which wins playoff games.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ Jun 2 2007, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>On Seattles part. Shane Battier or Kevin Durant both can play the 2 and 3. Shane Battier played SG his first two seasons in Memphis and actually played in more of a scoring role in our team. And Kevin Durant is fast enough as a player to play the 2.On Houstons part, if this happens, Houston will officially be a shooting, soft team. This will look good on paper, but in reality it wont do anything, probably just hurt them on the defensive end....which wins playoff games.</div>I agree with everything you said, but the problem with Battier and Durant starting is where does Ray Allen fit in that lineup? If anything, Seattle needs a decent PG to spread the ball out to Allen, Durant/Battier, etc.
This can really hurt the Rockets, and at the same time really help the Rockets. Battier is a fantastic defender and hustler and does all the little things like take charges which really add up in every game. But, with the offense becoming more uptempo, and the fact that T-Mac could REALLY use another perimeter scorer beside him who can create his own shot, it could really help as well. Lewis is also a great 3pt shooter, so no big dropoff from Battier there.I'd rather see a very good playmaking PG or athletic and intense PF instead of getting Lewis, but I wouldn't mind this trade.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jun 2 2007, 11:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree with everything you said, but the problem with Battier and Durant starting is where does Ray Allen fit in that lineup? If anything, Seattle needs a decent PG to spread the ball out to Allen, Durant/Battier, etc.</div>Haha, I completely forgot about Ray Allen. Personaly, I think he will be traded. But if he isnt, Battier can also play the 4. Granted he played about 25 minutes there a game and im not sure if he can play there for 40mpg, but its possible. I just dont like this trade at all for either teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz @ Jun 2 2007, 09:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I just dont like this trade at all for either teams.</div>Agreed. :rock:
I think that this trade would add up to nothing for both teams. The Rockets would finally get a 3rd option but like Austin said we'll become even more of a soft, shooting team than we were last season. In Seattle's case, they'd still have their problem of who to start or what to do with to with Battier.It wouldn't be a bad trade for the Rockets but I would prefer keeping Battier and trade some other role players for a PG that can pass well and make his own shot, well enough to pass of as a 3rd option. What's the situation with some of Houston's contracts? Who could we trade for a quality Point or draft pick?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jun 2 2007, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This can really hurt the Rockets, and at the same time really help the Rockets. Battier is a fantastic defender and hustler and does all the little things like take charges which really add up in every game. But, with the offense becoming more uptempo, and the fact that T-Mac could REALLY use another perimeter scorer beside him who can create his own shot, it could really help as well. Lewis is also a great 3pt shooter, so no big dropoff from Battier there.I'd rather see a very good playmaking PG or athletic and Intense PF instead of getting Lewis, but I wouldn't mind this trade.</div>There's also a rumor that the Rockets might trade Battier for Wilcox.
I don't understand why people are saying what would they do with Battier with Durant there. Even with Lewis if they happen to resign him. Sonics can start both wings at both forward positions. Especially in the NBA now, where let's face it, teams are going small. I don't see why Sonics can't start Battier/Durant or Lewis/Durant. I actually like the deal for both sides. Sonics need a vet like Battier to keep the team together as seen with his stints in Houston/Memphis. He'd fit perfectly with a young team in Seattle. As for Rockets, they need a third scorer and he compliments his scoring well with Tmac/Yao. Defense might suffer but you have to give to receive. And I see them needing Lewis more than Battier at the moment.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (12HRockets @ Jun 3 2007, 05:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think that this trade would add up to nothing for both teams. The Rockets would finally get a 3rd option but like Austin said we'll become even more of a soft, shooting team than we were last season. In Seattle's case, they'd still have their problem of who to start or what to do with to with Battier.It wouldn't be a bad trade for the Rockets but I would prefer keeping Battier and trade some other role players for a PG that can pass well and make his own shot, well enough to pass of as a 3rd option. What's the situation with some of Houston's contracts? Who could we trade for a quality Point or draft pick?</div>I agree with you but we had to be expecting this type of move now that we have Rick Adelman as our coach, and our owner wanting a run and gun offense.
Houston's lineup looks a lot better after the tradeG AlstonSG McGradySF LewisPF HowardC YaoBut Seattle's lineup just looks messed upG RidnourSG AllenSF DurantPF BattierC Wilcox/CollisonThey wouldn't want to waste Battier's defensive skills if he played PF, but they couldn't put Durant there because he may struggle as an undersized PF going against much more physical players. I think if Houston wants to trade Battier for someone, it has to be a play-making PG that can spread the ball around just like you guys said. :dribble:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (808Hornetsfan @ Jun 3 2007, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Houston's lineup looks a lot better after the tradeG AlstonSG McGradySF LewisPF HowardC YaoBut Seattle's lineup just looks messed upG RidnourSG AllenSF DurantPF BattierC Wilcox/CollisonThey wouldn't want to waste Battier's defensive skills if he played PF, but they couldn't put Durant there because he may struggle as an undersized PF going against much more physical players. I think if Houston wants to trade Battier for someone, it has to be a play-making PG that can spread the ball around just like you guys said. :dribble:</div>I'm still hoping that the Knicks will buyout Francis and he'll come over here.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>But Seattle's lineup just looks messed upG RidnourSG AllenSF DurantPF BattierC Wilcox/Collison</div>Switch Battier with Durant. Despite Durant's build, that's going to be his position imo for the latter part of his career. He's in the mold of Dirk Nowitzki. And with the way the pf position is nowadays, don't think it's that big of a deal. Look at Golden State and Phoenix. Playing what you would say a SF at PF.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Jun 3 2007, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Switch Battier with Durant. Despite Durant's build, that's going to be his position imo for the latter part of his career. He's in the mold of Dirk Nowitzki. And with the way the pf position is nowadays, don't think it's that big of a deal. Look at Golden State and Phoenix. Playing what you would say a SF at PF.</div>I don't think that will be Durant's position unless he gets up to around 240lbs. Even then it is kind of pushing it. The offense will never be as effective as Phoenix, and they don't have the toughness or rebounding from the 1-5 positions that GS does. Therefor I don't think the offense will be enough to mask Durant at the 4 position playing against guys like TD, KG, Dwight, etc... Not to mention he is more effective at the 3 anyway.
I'm going to go back to the PG problem..lol.Would the Rockets trading for Mike James be possible or do them any good? He is a better defender than Rafer... is kinda better at helping take of some of the scoring load without shooting under 40%.What do you guys think V-Span would be doing next season (if he chooses to come back)? We know Rick has talked with him and said he will play a bigger part than last season. From the little we've seen of him, he does have a lot of speed and can definitely get to the line.Back to topic: Again..Getting Rashard would fill the scoring need but it does nothing to help us with the PF (Chuck Hayes, Juwan Howard) and PG (Rafer, Luther Head, V-Span, JL3). I'd rather take care of those problems first.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Seems people got pretty excited about the story in today's Tacoma News-Tribune. Can't blame them either.It was reported that the Rockets plan to offer Shane Battier and whomever they choose with the No. 26 pick for Rashard Lewis in a sign-and-trade. They have not made that call yet, but it was reported that is the plan.As much as I hate to be the one to say those pretty packages under the tree are empty, it's not going to happen, at least not like that.Battier is due to make $5.8 million next season. Rashard Lewis is going to be offered a contract somewhere between $12 million and $15 million for starters. Rashard is not offering the Rockets an $8 million hometown discount. Sorry.Of course, the Rockets could try to get the Sonics to take Juwan Howard and Battier, which would add up to nearly $13 million. It would also be an incredibly bad first move for whoever gets the Sonics' GM job. If the Sonics are going to commit to that much money, why not just give it to Lewis?There are those close to the team, however, that so desperately would love to have Rashard home that they apparently forgot that it would take a miracle. They also ignored or did not know that the Rockets want no part of three max contracts. After that, it would be all rookie-scale guys. That's not the model Daryl Morey has in mind. For that matter, that's not why he was hired. He was chosen to find value, many players that can play better than their contracts. The part the Rockets did not like was the suggestion that they have soured on Battier. That is completely inaccurate. Rumors don't bother NBA front office guys, but that did bother them. As far as Bob Sura for Sarunas Jasikevicius, that's a deal they could have had last season, and probably still can. But they have much, much bigger hopes for the Sura contract than that. I don't think the Rockets prefer Jasikevicius to Vassilis Spanoulis. They want speed. Actually, they want a lot of things. But speed is high on the list, and it's not one of Jasikevicius' talents.But as long as we're talking about max contract guys, why stop at Rashard? Chauncey Billups at the point would be phenomenal, and he probably only cost two Shane Battier contracts. Actually, a guy still playing that would be a fine addition is Anderson Varejao, though he will command much more than mid-level, but less than Rashard.For that matter, I would imagine you could come up with some pretty interesting options if we can ignore what is possible. Hey, the Knicks have already been linked to Jermaine O'Neal, Kevin Garnett and Rashard Lewis, and I think I'm forgetting a few.So since I've already been a kill joy, have fun.</div>Link
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dsounG @ Jun 2 2007, 09:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://clutchfans.net/news/1405/battier_fo...rd_lewis_trade/I wouldn't mind Rashard playing here at all.</div>thank god somebody finally agrees with me.
