I was reading up on possible players' the Rockets could potentially have on the roster at the start of next season, and here are the top 3 players I want the most if available at the reasonable price:1. Rashard Lewis- The more I think about swapping Battier and the first round draft pick for Lewis, the more I love the idea. The most important thing the Rockets need this offseason is a guy who can create his own shot as well as feed off the 2 stars efficiently (*cough*Rafer*cough*), and Lewis fits the bill. He is a proven 20PPG scorer, shoots a nice percentage from inside and outside the 3pt arc, and is an extremely versatile 6'10'' swingman who would give the Rockets much needed athleticism. He would fit right into Adelman's system, and the idea of 3 guys who can go off for 30 points in any game is downright scary (especially since 2 of them are arguably the best at their position). If the Rockets play T-Mac at SG and Lewis at SF, the Rockets would have so many mismatches that they could exploit that it gives me an orgasm just thinking about it. Forcing other teams to play a bigger lineup would also greatly help in the cause of becoming a more up tempo team.2. Mike James- With his low-buy availability, this would be a great upgrade from Rafer. While I still want a playmaking PG to come to the Rockets, Mike James is a big upgrade from Rafer. He is tough, good defensively, and his scoring ability and shooting %'s are lightyears better than Rafer's. From what I have read, the Rockets would only need to give up Juwan Howard to get James. That is an amazing deal considering Juwan's age and how much of an upgrade James' is at the Rockets' weakest position.3. Ron Artest- An upgrade from Battier, and the Rockets likely won't have to give up a ton to get him. He is an amazing defender who is a nice 3rd option as a scorer. Unfortunately due to attitude problems and need to be a top scoring option, I don't like the fit for him on the Rockets.
I agree with Rashard Lewis. With Rick Adelman, we won't be such a defensive team. Battier can score around 12 or so a game with that, but Rashard would just give us that edge. Maybe get rid of Battier and Juwan Howard for him?
What about getting Chauncey Billups as your PG? Instead of getting back Mike James who is not much of a playmaker.
He will likely be out of price range for the Rockets, and the Rockets don't have the personel to do a sign and trade with the Pistons. I highly doubt he will leave Detroit, anyway.
No, I love what Battier brings...amazing defense, versatility and fantastic hustle. But with a new offensive system, and as the playoffs proved...the Rockets NEED more athleticism and scoring. With Mike James things have changed a bit, but the Rockets still need athleticism and scoring ability.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Jun 15 2007, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How and the hell do expect to put a real team around the huge contracts of Ming, McGrady and Lewis?</div>Battier + Sura's contract is right around where Lewis' would be. Considering Sura can't play anymore, all we'd give up is Battier. This team, despite Yao being hurt 32 games and T-Mac around 10, were only 8 games away from a 60 win season.
After looking around, I have found another very possible PF- Udonis Haslem. With many players on the Heat being question marks to return, the Heat will be looking to add talent. The most likely scenario would be trading Battier straigh tup for Haslem. With Eddie Jones and Posey question marks for returning, I feel the Heat could use a fairly young, very valuable player in Battier. And of course the Rockets need a PF and Haslem is athletic, very good rebounder, good defender, reliable, and not a liability offensively. Of course if we trade Battier, the Rockets would likely need to go for the Artest deal even harder, and if the players in the deal for Artest are accurate, the stars would allign and we would have a very much improved lineup of:James/AlstonT-Mac/ (depends on trades/FA/draft)Artest/ (depends on trades/FA/draft)Haslem/Hayes/NovakYao/Deke
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jun 15 2007, 11:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>After looking around, I have found another very possible PF- Udonis Haslem. With many players on the Heat being question marks to return, the Heat will be looking to add talent. The most likely scenario would be trading Battier straigh tup for Haslem. With Eddie Jones and Posey question marks for returning, I feel the Heat could use a fairly young, very valuable player in Battier. And of course the Rockets need a PF and Haslem is athletic, very good rebounder, good defender, reliable, and not a liability offensively. Of course if we trade Battier, the Rockets would likely need to go for the Artest deal even harder, and if the players in the deal for Artest are accurate, the stars would allign and we would have a very much improved lineup of:James/AlstonT-Mac/ (depends on trades/FA/draft)Artest/ (depends on trades/FA/draft)Haslem/Hayes/NovakYao/Deke</div>I don't see the Heat trading Haslem. He is one of the few young players on the Heat that can contribute right now. With the Heat needing to go into a semi-rebuilding stage, there is no reason they would trade Haslem. Yes, they would get Battier in the deal you proposed, but the Heat would then have to fill a need for a PF.But, even if they did do that, I don't think the Rockets can get Artest without trading Battier.
The Heat still have life in them, and in the weak East, it won't take much to get back. Battier would be a good start to fill the spot of Jones/Posey (assuming they are gone), and he is still young and offers a lot. I think it's a possible trade and would benefit both teams. Their salaries are also almost identical.EDIT: Another possibility is Drew Gooden. Battier would give the Cavs great perimeter defense and gives LeBron the consistent 3pt shooter he needs. I feel we would probably have to give up more than just Battier, but it's another possibility.
The heat will not trade Udonis Haslem.Lee is a nice choice for the PF.HOUSTON can trade head and snyder for him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (victim @ Jul 1 2007, 04:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The heat will not trade Udonis Haslem.Lee is a nice choice for the PF.HOUSTON can trade head and snyder for him.</div>Um, Lee? David Lee? I highly doubt that would happen. Or are you talking about a different Lee?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (victim @ Jul 1 2007, 04:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The heat will not trade Udonis Haslem.Lee is a nice choice for the PF.HOUSTON can trade head and snyder for him.</div>Heat really could use a SF, especially with Kapono gone and likely Posey. Battier is still young, an awesome defender, great 3pt shooter, and very reliable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Jul 1 2007, 04:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Heat really could use a SF, especially with Kapono gone and likely Posey. Battier is still young, an awesome defender, great 3pt shooter, and very reliable.</div>Haslem would be PERFECT for our team, he compliments good centers very well, he could compliment Yao like he did with Shaq, but I really do not see the Heat trading him, unless it gets them an all-star.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (YugoRocketsFan @ Jul 1 2007, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Haslem would be PERFECT for our team, he compliments good centers very well, he could compliment Yao like he did with Shaq, but I really do not see the Heat trading him, unless it gets them an all-star.</div>I don't see the Heat trading him either, but there is a shot. I think Battier, maybe a future draft pick, and if they need cap relief (Sura), and that SHOULD get Haslem.Another possibility is Marcus Camby. With Blake being a FA (I think), JR Smith in the accident, and the Nuggets having a cluster of big men with Camby being the odd man out (due to salary), it is very possible the Rockets could get him without trading Battier. Alston, Sura (cap relief/makes trade realistic in money) and a draft pick or 2, and I could see it matching up very well for both teams.
