<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post"> My lineup would be: PG: Chris Duhon (signed as FA)/Sura/James SG: Wesley/James/Sura SF: McGrady/Demarr Johnson (I figured he'd be a cheap FA addition) PF: Howard/Ronny Turiaf (via draft) C: Yao/Dan Gadzuric (cheap FA addition)</div> Trip, I like the way you think. We're getting good young talent for very cheap in this scenario. I totally forgot about Dermarr Johnson who we have mentioned once before in the forums. Duhon is a pick that I wouldn't have seen coming, but its a good one, especially since im a Blue Devils fan hahaha. Although I don't watch College ball at all. About Getting TMac back at the SG. We have too many SG's as it is, and they're all great role players. I agree that it would be good for TMac to play SG, but with the team we have now (which is successful) our SF position needs the filling. If we somehow get Marshall, he could possibly slip down to SF and TMac could play SG and then our draft pick could play PF. That could be an alternative lineup which would work.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post"> PG: Chris Duhon (signed as FA)/Sura/James SG: Wesley/James/Sura SF: McGrady/Demarr Johnson (I figured he'd be a cheap FA addition) PF: Howard/Ronny Turiaf (via draft) C: Yao/Dan Gadzuric (cheap FA addition)</div> you can't have him! he's our only line of interior defense!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Schaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">you can't have him! he's our only line of interior defense! </div> Would Mr. Gadzuric want to continue losing in Milwaukee? Why not come to Houston and back up the best center in the Western Conference? He won't get any shine in Wisconsin.
Some of you guys have Juwan Howard starting over Donyell Marshall or Wayne Simeon. Why would he be the starter if you were to land one of these guys?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">Some of you guys have Juwan Howard starting over Donyell Marshall or Wayne Simeon. Why would he be the starter if you were to land one of these guys?</div> Because at this point in his career, Marshall is capable for maybe 22-24 minutes, and we all know JVG will not start a rookie...Marshall would be more helpful as a rebounding/shooting PF off the bench who can provide instant offense alongside James...Howard will provide a consistent 25-28 minutes alongside Yao, grabbing 8-10 boards and scoring 10-12 points...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">Because at this point in his career, Marshall is capable for maybe 22-24 minutes, and we all know JVG will not start a rookie...Marshall would be more helpful as a rebounding/shooting PF off the bench who can provide instant offense alongside James...Howard will provide a consistent 25-28 minutes alongside Yao, grabbing 8-10 boards and scoring 10-12 points...</div> Ok thanks for the explanantion. I didn't realize Jeff Van Gundy had a thing against starting rookies.
dakeem1, the reason I would like to have Duhon is because he is young, and is someone who the Bulls might be unable to keep with them already having to deal with the extensions of Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler. Even while trying to keep those guys who are bound to get big offers, they would also have to consider leaving cap space to extend the contracts of Gordon, Deng and Nocini when they become eligible to have their contracts renewed. Thus, I feel that Duhon might slip through the cracks and as long as we give him a fairly big contract, the Bulls won't match it. By big, I'm thinking $20-30 Million over 6 years or whatever. It might seem big now, but he's still young and could be worth a lot more than that in the future. He can knock down the perimeter shot, something I feel our PG should be required to have, can handle the rock steadily, and can also find the open man. He might just be the pure point guard we're looking for.
I really doubt that duhon can get away, chicago looks to have a real good hold on all of its guys. Trip, you are suggesting giving him a lot of money, and even if we can get him, I dont know if we should take that risk. We would end up with a large contract when that position is pretty solid already. I dont think duhon is that great, he is an amazing defender but cant bring much on offense. A better idea is to spend that money on a good 4 or 2 like mobley.
I don't want to see Mobley back at all. This is a guy who needs the ball to be productive. If he doesn't get to attack the basket, I doubt he would like it. If he is willing to be a Wesley-like guy in that he would take open perimeter shots and play defense while not doing much else, then I'd re-consider, but I won't like his reckless drives to the basket and streaky three point shooting. He is also turnover-prone, something we've tried to get away from this season.
The Rockets are actually in great shape financially next season. They have valuable expiring contracts and there will be plenty of teams looking to deal for them as the season comes to an end. The Rockets will be in the playoff race for a majority of the year and should be able to add 1 or 2 pieces to put them over the top by the trade deadline. Here's a list of tradeable contracts. Weatherspoon $6.35 Million Wesley $4.95 Million Baker $3.88 Million Ward $1.87 Million I know the Rockets will have to extend Yao's contract, and T-Mac's contract will expire the following season 2007/08, but the Rockets might be able to grab a star player. Just take a look at how the Knicks acquired Marbury, the Celtics acquired Walker, or how the Warriors acquired Baron Davis last year. If I were the Rockets I'd keep a close eye on Elton Brand in Los Angeles. The Clippers owe him a lot of money, and if they struggle to make the post-season again, Brand and/or Maggette is going to be available. The Clippers will likely end up retaining Simmons and they want to start putting pieces around Livingston. The player they draft this year could be a strong indication of their trading plans. As for the free agent market place I think the Rockets should use their MLE and split it among two players. The Rockets can lure in players for a chance to win the ring and get a discount on the hungry players. At this point the Rockets should go after players interested more in winning, than cashing in on the free agent market. At power forward I'd look at players who are capable of guarding Amare, KG, or Nowitzki. Someone like Cliff Robinson would be a great pickup, he's capable of defending these guys on the perimeter or in the paint. Another player might be the Birdman Chris Andersen. Andersen is an athletic big man who can give the Rockets a shot blocking intimidator on the inside. He does have a tendency to pick up stupid fouls, but with Van Gundy showing him the fundamentals, he could turn Andersen into a defensive specialist for the Rockets. Van Gundy turned Marcus Camby into a defensive beast when he took over in New York. I could see him having the same influence over Andersen. He's also from the Texas area of Iola, and plays with a 'chip' on his shoulder after going undrafted, and having to work his way through the NBDL before the Nuggets brought him aboard. For backcourt depth I'd try to convince Kerry Kittles to come aboard. He was injured almost all of last year, but Kittles gives the Rockets a perimeter defender and another 3point threat. The Nets really missed him this year, because he could have been used to slow down Wade or Damon Jones, instead of Kidd. PG - James / Barry SG - Sura / Kittles SF - T-Mac / Bowen / Padgett PF - Howard / Andersen C - Yao / Deke (needs to be re-signed)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets are actually in great shape financially next season. They have valuable expiring contracts and there will be plenty of teams looking to deal for them as the season comes to an end. The Rockets will be in the playoff race for a majority of the year and should be able to add 1 or 2 pieces to put them over the top by the trade deadline. Here's a list of tradeable contracts. Weatherspoon $6.35 Million Wesley $4.95 Million Baker $3.88 Million Ward $1.87 Million I know the Rockets will have to extend Yao's contract, and T-Mac's contract will expire the following season 2007/08, but the Rockets might be able to grab a star player. Just take a look at how the Knicks acquired Marbury, the Celtics acquired Walker, or how the Warriors acquired Baron Davis last year. </div> I'm adding Moochie Norris in your list of tradable contracts. He is due $4.2M for next season and has a team option($4.5M) for season 06-07 which I'm sure Houston or any other team for which he is traded won't excercise the last year. Ward's contract is until 06-07 because he signed a 3 year deal this season. Anyway after the 05-06 season he can be due for a buyout for the remaining year. I have also a correction regarding TMac's contract. His contract won't expire until the 09-10 season. The Rockets extended his contract last summer. BTW USA Today provides accurate list of Salary Database compared to Hooopshype.com. I agree that spending the MLE for the likes of Chris Andersen is a good choice. I just hope the Rockets can sign at least 2 free agents with their MLE. Other spare parts that the Rockets will need can be obtained thru trades.
PG - Sura / Barry SG - Mobley / James SF - T-Mac / Bowen / Griffin (yes, Eddie Griffin...he ain't that bad) PF - Swift / Howard C - Yao / Deke if we were to get Swift or Chandler or even bring Griffin back...I be damn
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok thanks for the explanantion. I didn't realize Jeff Van Gundy had a thing against starting rookies.</div> That could be a good attribute as far as the team goes, but not for the rookie. Larry Brown has a things against starting rookies (Darko Milicic), and he's goth imself a nice gold NBA ring.
Does this add up? I'm not sure if the salaries match up, but do u think these trades are fessible: Houston gives up Mike James - $3.4 Clarence Weatherspoon - $6.4 This year's draft (#24) For a trade with Charlotte Gerald Wallace - (restricted FA - sign and trade) SF PPG 11.1 RPG 5.50 APG 2.0 EFF + 12.90 Jason Hart - $1.5 PG PPG 9.5 RPG 2.70 APG 5.0 EFF + 12.54 Line up after signing Chris Andersen to partial MLE Hart/Sura McGrady/Barry Wallace/Bowen Andersen/Howard/Padgett Yao/Mutumbo --- OR --- Mike James - $3.4 David Wesley - $5 Clarence Weatherspoon - $6.4 This year's draft (#24) For a trade with Utah Matt Harpring - $4.5 SG/SF PPG 14.0 RPG 6.20 APG 1.8 EFF + 14.85 Carlos Boozer - $11 PF PPG 17.8 RPG 9.00 APG 2.8 EFF + 20.10 Line up after signing Brevin Knight to MLE Knight/Sura Harpring/Barry McGrady/Bowen Boozer/Howard/Padgett Yao/Mutumbo
The salaries add up, but i dont know if they arent one sided. Utah looses a lot through that trade. I would like it though.
better yet <div class="quote_poster">Quoting bplld:</div><div class="quote_post">The salaries add up, but i dont know if they arent one sided. Utah looses a lot through that trade. I would like it though.</div> How about this then? Mike James - $3.4 Charlie Ward - $ 1.7 For a trade with Detroit Carlos Arroyo - $4 PG PPG 6.6 RPG 1.50 APG 4.0 EFF + 7.06 MPG 20 and Second round pick THEN David Wesley - $4.4 and this years first round pick For a trade with Sacramento Brian Skinner- $4.5 PF PPG 4.8 RPG 5.70 APG 0.9 EFF + 9.18 BPG 1.0 MPG 19 and second round pick Line up after signing Cat Mobley or Raja Bell to MLE Arroyo/Sura Mobley or Bell/Barry McGrady/Bowen Skinner/Howard/Padgett Yao/Mutumbo
The carlos arroyo trade wouldnt work in the CBA. The second trade is a loss for the rockets. We loose a first round pick for a guy that isnt that great. here is a site to help you. http://realgm.com/src_tradechecker/1/
Hmm, to tell you the truth MingsHair, I don't think any of those would happen. This year's 24th pick is the first first round pick we've had in 3 years, so I don't think we'd be so happy to shop it around. Also, trades with Charlotte I'd be a bit iffy with because you never know if the guys they have are truly good players or just mediocre guys putting up numbers on a bad team. Trades where we give up James then sign a PG is also not too likely unless we already know that the PG we're after would sign with us.
What about bringing in Bobby Jackson? He is an unrestricted free agent and I think he could help the Rocket out. That would give you BJax, Sura, Tmac, Juwan and Yao. Then you guys could use your #24 pick and go after a good SG or PF.
BJax is a good shooter and is very quick. However, the guy doesn't have much of a PG mentality much like Mike James, and he is very injury prone. His defensive game is also suspect, which would definitely be a minus. I highly doubt that we'll see Jackson sign with us.
