Nerlens Noel and Mavs are "far apart" on negotiating a new contract. May be able to sign him to a cheap one year deal because market is so cold and other teams have used up their cap. Rockets could do S&T for that one year contract and pair his elite D with the super star offense already on/incoming to the team. His game is tailor fit for MDA, he's a former blue chipper (Morey loves those former high draft picks), uber athletic above the rim type and he's young but NBA ready. His perimeter D and rim protection would be an upgrade over Capela, and he plays with a chip on his shoulder always balls to the wall high energy. He would need to be re-signed following season, but so would Capela. Perfect time to upgrade while we're building our GSW killers. Capela is nice and improving, but he'll never be a killer.
Dallas may be far apart negotiating, but thats because theres no market for Noel right now. No one has cap space to send an offer sheet without it being instantly matched, or even worse, delayed then matched, tying up their capspace until its cleared. Basically Noel is at the mercy of the Mavericks. He's restricted. He's actually worth at least 15 million a year but no one is going to offer that right now. So Dallas is going to wait out, the other teams fill up their cap space and have nothing to offer Noel and Dallas lowballs, gets him on a lower contract. Dallas 100% want and will retain Noel. They will not SnT him, he's the future of their franchise. He and Harrison Barnes (plus probably Curry) are their young core. Both like 23 or so. This is a good thing though because they blow. They don't compliment each others' skills and Dallas doesn't have a captain to the ship to make it work. Seth Curry is a nice shooter but not a good playmaker. They picked up some PG who seems to be good but we will see how well he handles an NBA offense.
Not disputing anything you're saying, but the more Mavs stall, the more frustrated Nerlens becomes. Mags are doing the smart business move but Noel is an emotional player and could easily become disgruntled, forcing them to sign him to one year deal. Which is not to their benefit especially if he shows he is unwilling to sign long term. There is opportunity here, not great opportunity by any means but it's the kind of opportunity that Morey has a way of leveraging.
Dallas won't agree to a S/T with Houston. And frankly we need a cheaper C/PF with the use of the NG's if it becomes clear that Melo won't come to Houston.
With Morey, I've learned to never ever say never. How many times did Howard block trade attempts to Houston again? Melo also rejected us before. If Bosh wasn't dead man walking he'd be a Rocket right now too. Morey was crushing for Ryno for years. Morey has a long memory for players he covets.
There are plus and negatives to this approach. Cuban will demand a lot from Houston, unless he thinks NN is junk.
Moving on from Melo & the signing of Black Crowder For Capela and NGC Ariza contract is up after this season. Crowder is 3&D + very friendly contact. Crowder, Ariza and Tucker at the forwards with spot minutes to grow Oliver and Williams. Nene fills in if someone goes really big. Mix and match for the best combinations in a given game. DMtheGM is never going to pay 6.5M for a 3rd string player #ever Boston cuts payroll, gets a big and open roster.
NY gets Dieng, Aldrich, Quarterman, and Long. Houston gets Carmelo Minnesota gets Ryan Anderson and Tarik Black (SNT) NY gets rid of Carmelo, gets Dieng and some cap space in the form of NGs. Houston gets their guy in Carmelo without giving up Gordon or Capela. Minn gets rid of Aldrichs contract and get Anderson and Black for FC depth.
Would love Crowder but need a starting center more than another wing who can also play stretch 4 in small ball line ups. Crowder trade plus S&T for Willie Reed makes more sense.
I think Black is our starting center at 6.5M for this season only. Nene has the same role as last year. IMO, one of the rookies or Viper steps up this year to fill the void for 3rd string. I have a feeling the rotations are going to be open to develope the younger talent. We need to get some of our young players to be rotation worthy if we take on a 3rd star (max contract) just to fill out the roster.
Black as starting center of superstar team doesn't really make sense though, he is a quality back up but not a starter IMO.
High motor, rebounder, can finsh if set up but doesn't need the ball, very coachable, solid role player, on a fair one year contract. What do we need a the 5? One doesn't sign a 3rd string center before the 3rd all star with limited cap space to a contract over the minimum. One doesn't do that unless they fell he is worth it and is part of the plan. I am no insider but it looks like more then just tea leaves here can read into this. --> His our man
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yajdud82 Rockets get: Melo Knicks get: S/T for Alex Len, Reggie Jackson, 2019 Rockets 2nd round pick Suns get: Shawn Long, Tim Quarterman, C. Onuaku, Jon Leur, 2020 Rockets 1st round pick Pistons get: Ryan Anderson, Isaiah Taylor, 2021 Rockets 2nd round pick, 2019 Suns 2nd round pick
