SOURCE
03-18-2000, 09:43 PM
This years draft has quite a few quality players. However, I am almost certain that Swift and Morris will NOT be included. Several sources have it that Morris's grade will determine whether or not he will apply for the draft. Not just that but also he will have to discuss it with his family. His grades and mother will determine whether or not he will apply for the draft... and it seems very likely that he will play for Maryland one more season.
As for Swift, he has told LSU that he will return next season. He will not apply for the draft. He said that when he agreed to play for LSU he gave them his word that he would at least play his junior year, and that he plans on fulfilling that promise.
So who do the Rockets have interest in? Well there #1 priority is to draft a PF. Someone who can help the youth movement along side with Francis. They would also like to draft either a SG or SF. The Rockets have some interest in Peterson if he is still available.
So what is in the Rockets future with the current roster?
Well Bryce Drew, Walt Williams, TMASS, and Carlos Rogers are all expendable. The Rockets would like to free up some cap room to sign at least one quality free agent this off season and would like to influence them as they did with Anderson. Meaning that they are looking to sign a player such as Grant and/or McGrady by paying them as least as possible the first year and increasing their pay when Hakeem retires. Some even say that Hakeem will have a talk with the Rockets in the off season ... meaning that he could come to an agreement with the Rockets to retire at this seasons end but that would mean that the Rockets will be looking for a center to split time with Cato.
My own predictions:
Rockets trade Drew and Walt Williams to either free up cap room or move up in the draft.
3 possible signees from the free agent market (I expect one of them to sign here):
1) PF- Grant
2) SF- McGrady
3) SG- Rose
2000 Draft Picks:
1) PF- Martin
2) PF- Fizer (very likely due to the fact that Martin might be the #1 pick...meaning that the second best choice at PF would be Fizer)
3) SF- Peterson
4) possible late picks at the PF position is Muoneke from TX (he reminds me of Kenny Thomas)
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BLESSED ARE THE LOSERS FOR THEY DETERMINE THE WINNERS
As for Swift, he has told LSU that he will return next season. He will not apply for the draft. He said that when he agreed to play for LSU he gave them his word that he would at least play his junior year, and that he plans on fulfilling that promise.
So who do the Rockets have interest in? Well there #1 priority is to draft a PF. Someone who can help the youth movement along side with Francis. They would also like to draft either a SG or SF. The Rockets have some interest in Peterson if he is still available.
So what is in the Rockets future with the current roster?
Well Bryce Drew, Walt Williams, TMASS, and Carlos Rogers are all expendable. The Rockets would like to free up some cap room to sign at least one quality free agent this off season and would like to influence them as they did with Anderson. Meaning that they are looking to sign a player such as Grant and/or McGrady by paying them as least as possible the first year and increasing their pay when Hakeem retires. Some even say that Hakeem will have a talk with the Rockets in the off season ... meaning that he could come to an agreement with the Rockets to retire at this seasons end but that would mean that the Rockets will be looking for a center to split time with Cato.
My own predictions:
Rockets trade Drew and Walt Williams to either free up cap room or move up in the draft.
3 possible signees from the free agent market (I expect one of them to sign here):
1) PF- Grant
2) SF- McGrady
3) SG- Rose
2000 Draft Picks:
1) PF- Martin
2) PF- Fizer (very likely due to the fact that Martin might be the #1 pick...meaning that the second best choice at PF would be Fizer)
3) SF- Peterson
4) possible late picks at the PF position is Muoneke from TX (he reminds me of Kenny Thomas)
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BLESSED ARE THE LOSERS FOR THEY DETERMINE THE WINNERS