Well if Harrell is playing D-Mo isn't as well as likely Nene. I'm telling you now that D-Mo is a 5 in D'Antoni's system. He's a "center of the court" big, and they don't run Horns/triangle/hi-low sets in D'Antoni's system to involve two bigs. They would be taking a risk & changing ALOT about their system putting him at the 4, and reducing the minutes of one of the wings (even as much as I hate Brewer). I think if you are going to commit to D-Mo longterm (paying him 8 mil a year is a commitment to playing IMO) this season as Capela's backup, you might want to look at getting value for Nene as most teams would kill to have him coming off their bench. I like Harrell as the 3rd big like he is now especially since he's got another bargain year before he hits free agency along with Capela. You don't have to worry about him asking for a buyout or anything like you will with Nene if he's third string. Regardless.... it sounds like a good problem to have I know but these are the kind of things Morey has to think about. If he hired Thibs or JVG instead of D'Antoni having Capela/Nene/D-Mo/Harrell all getting minutes at the 5/4 wouldn't be an issue. D'Antoni just doesn't have success with these teams like we saw with LAL & NYK when he had to play big in non-D'Antoni sets.
@BimaThug @craguin @heypartner @basketballholic Any explanation as to why its only 4yr/$31m for the rockets rather than the 4yr/$35m it was for brooklyn?
I honestly don't know how many true viable number two caliber stars will be free agents this summer and of those who would realistically consider the rox. Let's say they make it to the second round and play golden state to 7 games. That would be a good showing and could convince some superstars we are one piece away. Given that scenario who is out there that we would target that keeping DMO would cost us?
Just a guess... but I'd guess it's the incentive bonuses that are part of the deal (likely/unlikely scenarios)
DMo will fit in fine as either a 4 or 5. He's a skilled player and those guys fit great into MDAs scheme. It's the ISO ball stoppers and lumbering unskilled bigs that suffocate his offense...DMo is neither of these. Warmly welcome back the 4 - 5 lob with DMo and Capela.
Too risky to trade any big before making sure DMo can play. The back injury risk will be there for a long time.
I already asked Bima in his thread. If you have followup question, post them there. Click the arrow next to his name in the following posts to respond. Here:
I think the Brooklyn contract included incentives ("hard-to-get") that the Rockets did NOT have to include even in the event the Rockets matched the contract
The thing to remember is the only way that happens is if he outplays them. The Rockets are committed to Dekker and Harrell, obviously. But if D-Mo can improve our team, great. I don't think his potential success needs to be to the detriment of anyone on our roster except maybe Brewer (w/Dekker moving to backup 3).
God I can't wait for his passing ability and foot work in the paint. Hopefully he's been working on that 3 Gonna be a great addition off the bench along with Gordan/dekker/Harrell with harden running point
When the Celtics went to essentially a 3-2 zone with the perimeter guarded, we needed someone to pop at the FT line to open it up. DD
No matter his impact during the year, come playoff time it can be key to be able to give a different look or matchup, so excited to have him. Expecting brewer might shift to bench and Dekker take his minutes
