Apparently, the two players the Rockets are most high on are LSU forward Stromile Swift and East St. Louis High School forward Darius Miles. Supposedly high enough that they are willing to do anything in their capability that at the end of June 28th, one of the two players calls themselves a Houston Rocket. One circumstance which may be possible is the Rockets trading up 4 spots with the Magic for the #5 slot. A case in which this would work is the Rockets giving up their #9 pick, Bryce Drew(for gimmicks), and the rights to the first round pick they own from the Magic for either this upcoming, or the following draft. In return, the Rockets would receive the #5 choice in which they could use in two ways. With Swift most likely being taken top 3, the Rockets would use the choice for Miles, as his raw talent and upside make him very attractive, and he could eventually be the best player in the draft. A twist the Rockets may try to pull, though, is re-trading the #5 position to a top 3 team along with possibly Kelvin Cato(good guy, big salry) and a second round choice. Although a gamble, this would enable the Rockets to select the playmaker, Swift, which they covet so much. Either player would work well with the Rockets new running offense, and would give the future of the franchise a huge boost.
I don't see Orlando trading down at the 5. I don't think there's much chance at all of them doing that. They want a good draft pick, they were counting on getting a good draft pick. They will get a good draft pick. They don't want 3 middle of the road draft picks. If Orlando trades up, maybe the team they trade with will trade down again though. And Miles and Swift are two pretty nice players to target. ------------------
I wouldn't necessarily make that deal if I were Orlando, but consider this analysis from the Boston Globe's Peter May: "Don't be surprised if the Orlando Magic trade two of their three picks in the lottery [...] Ron Mercer and Chauncey Billupos should start looking around. Both players are locks to be renounced [...] The Magic already are committed to spending nearly $13.4 million, or about $22 million under what is presumed to be the salary cap for the 2000-01 season. Throw in the No. 3 pick in the draft at $2.36 million and you're at $15.7 million. That's still about $20 million under the $35.5 million cap. But here's where the trouble lies. The Magic, like all teams, will be assessed cap figures for all their free agents, even though they may have no intention of keeping them. [...] Assuming they get the guys signed reasonably (Outlaw for, say, $3 million and Wallace for, say, $1.5 million) then that would leave them with ... less than $14 million. [...T]here seems to be no way they can get $18 million under unless they do all of the above and can also deal some of their kids and get nothing in return." So if Orlando is serious about pursuing two big name free agents, Houston's $4.5 million trade exception could be a huge part of a deal with Orlando to move up. ------------------ If you don't remember the ABA, you don't know basketball.
what does that mean "they're assessed cap figures for all their free agents". They're talking about Bo Outlaw and Wallace signing with the Magic, right? Also, Orlando's pick is now #5, so that's a few K....... Does anyone know how much the #9 pick will make? ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
hehe, here's a beautiful scenario: 1. The Magic want to get a little more green under the cap. They want to make a run towards JALEN ROSE, since Hill, McGrady, Duncan, and Jones have decided their destinations. They locked up McGrady, and to be able to get Rose, they need 2 more mill. 2. The Pacers are the other team in contention for Rose's services. Rose is their top priority, and the Magic are close to taking him. They offer to sign and trade Croshere, who says he likes Houston, but Indiana refuses to work a sign and trade, for 4.5 million to avoid Houston "buying" an Orlando player, and allowing them to take Rose. Result: Houston gets Croshere, Indiana gets Rose, Orlando now has to get Mo Taylor. An alternate ending would be Orlando offering to "give" us the rights to the #5 pick in return for that owed pick, if we took Outlaw, to allow them to get Rose. Pipe Dreams sure are wonderful. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
