Ron Mercer and Bo Outlaw for ninth selection!

[Clutch]

Both are free agents if I'm not mistaken so that can't happen.

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[davo]

Ron Mercer would be an excellent pickup but I'm afraid getting both is just not possible. As Clutch said, both are free agents and as such:-
a) Cannot both be signed & traded at the same time (Sign trades can only involve one player)
b) If they are signed by Orlando to Bird Contracts then they cannot be traded for 3 months, hence precluding Orlando for trading them for draft picks
c) Why the hell would Orlando be looking for another first round draft pick this year. They are already trying to unload some of the ones they've got.

However, a sign and trade for just Mercer or Outlaw is a real possibility, but I think it will require something very different than our 9th pick. Mercer will want the maximum as well, so we better be sure about him.

I think Outlaw could be picked up using an exception (mid level) so if we really want him there is no need to enter into a Sign & trade and have to give something up in return.

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[MManal]

Ron Mercer I would not really be intersted in unless the Rockets lose Cuttino Mobley. Mercer is a scorer and is athletic, but he does not defend well. This is part of the reason the Magic have cooled on him a good bit. It would not shock me at all if they let Mercer go in FA to clear up cap room.

The interesting one would be Bo Outlaw. I am wondering if the Magic will try to re-sign him or not since they apparently have a verbal agreement with Grant Hill in place. I was hearing on Section 610 last night that they may take a long look at Pryzbilla with the 5th selection if they cannot move up. I suppose that would leave them in a position to take someone like Courtney Alexander at 10 if he is there. Maybe Outlaw could be had for the 2 mil exception possibly, but I think it would take more than that. I am hoping the Rockets could broker a sign and trade deal giving up some type of future considerations for Outlaw using the 4.5 mil exception. This would allow the Magic to clear out Outlaw's salary but still have Outlaw getting a good contract returning to the place where he attended college. Outlaw would be the ideal "dirty work" defender and rebounder type for this team with versatility being able to guard both SFs and PFs. It would also allow the Rockets some time to work with a young player like Jerome Moiso if that is who they draft and to cover up for Walt Williams' defensive inadequacies at the SF position.

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[davo]

MManal,

There is no $4.5mil exception. The so called "mid level" exception is capped at $2.25 mil this season and then becomes the NBA Average salary for the 2001/2002 season.

You may be confusing it with the Early Bird exception, which actually allows you to sign your own veteran free agent to the actual NBA average salary (this year it is just under $4mil). FYI, this is the exception that we will most likely use to sign Mobley.

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[This message has been edited by davo (edited May 24, 2000).]

[Dennis2112]

I thought that it was called a 4.5 mill TRADE exception. It could only be used in conjuction with a trade and not used to sign your own free agents. The Cat's situation is whether another team will offer more $$$ than the Rockets , which is 4.1 mill max.

I could be wrong but I thought that was how it worked.

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[davo]

Sorry - I misread MManal's post regarding the $4.5mil. I guess you're right - we could use the trade exception to acquire Bo Outlaw in a sign & trade. I just don't think he's worth more than the $2.25 mil we could pay him with the Mid Level exception.

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[DaneB]

Dennis, you are correct. It is made up of the differences in the contracts we picked up in the last offseason.

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The clock is winding down, and Scottie has the ball, Cato is sprinting towards him, Pippen shoots and here comes Cato. Man did you see that block?!!! Ouch it hit Scottie right between the legs. ITS FINAL!! THE ROCKETS ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF Y2K!!!

[outlaw]

Orlando already has 3 picks in the top 13. Why would they want another?

[MManal]

Exactly Outlaw, with Orlando having three lottery picks with three guaranteed contracts, along with their pursuit of big ticket FAs eg. Grant Hill, I am not sure if they will have enough left to re-sign Bo Outlaw. Thus, I am hoping that they may consider signing and trading him for a FUTURE first round pick and maybe relieving their obligation to us or something to that effect.

Also, the reason I think that Outlaw would try to get more than 2 mil is b/c that is what he has been playing for the last 2 seasons, and I would think he would like a raise. A raise to 4.5 mil (Rockets trade exception would be ideal).

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[CriscoKidd]

dont use the trade exception on Outlaw.

he is not worth it.

surely there are better deals to be had with the exception.

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I have a special purpose.

[sirhangover]

if we get those two guys that would be really bad ass....although it may not be possible or whatever..we need big men like outlaw..that care...that try hard..not like cato....

i really dont think we are going to get anything that great at 9.... we need a small forward and a big man...thats a deal i would do or the kind of players i would be looking for...

the rockets have been good/lucky in their picks to this point minus turcan and a few others ...anyway a dud will come along sooner or later...mercer and outlaw are established..

at 9 we should consider the dud possibility and go for established players and entice other teams with this pick..just my opinion.....

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[Bear k.l]

What would you guys think about the Rockets trading the ninth selection for Ron Mercer, and Bo Outlaw? They could get an athletic and versatile sf/sg in Ron Mercer, and an athletic shot blocking pf in Bow Outlaw. I am not a real fan of trading Kelvin Cato, because we have no one to step in and take his spot besides Hakeem Olahjuan who will retire after next season. The only players whom I would be willing to deal is Kenny Thomas, Bryce Drew, Carlos Rogers, Walt Williams and if we had to Cuttino Mobley.

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[Dennis2112]

We do not need another SG. Outlaw is a fine player but we need size.

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Houston Rockets Forever!!
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[DEANBCURTIS]

Mercer would be nice but he would most likely cost the Rockets too much, as for Bo I feel the Rockets don't need him. I am completely happy with Cato, KT, Los, Dream, and Mass handling the paint.

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THE DEAN HAS WRITTEN

[davo]

Couldn't disagree with you more DeanB. The guys you are "completely happy" with "handling the paint" are the ones that most need upgrading on our roster.

If we don't make improvements to our front court we will stay in the lottery.

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