With Cato gone, who's backing up Yao? I think we should go for Vlade Divac, an unrestricted free agent. He'll be an excellent backup and teacher for Yao. Another option is Ostertag. We need somebody. Yao still can't play heavy minutes, so whoever it is we get will get playing time.
I heard that too - all we need is a big banger that can play 15-18 mins, set a few picks and grab some rebounds (oh.. and unlike Cato, they need to NOT have a $7million per year deal)
Who else is on the market for PF/backup center? We could really use an Elden Campbell style player. Actually, the more I think about it, a reformed Eddie Griffin could fill this role nicely.
I think backup Center may be the most important position we have to fill for this next year. Why? Yao. He gets winded quickly, and we will need quality minutes from a 7ft. bruiser to pick up the slack. It is of crucial importance that we get someone who can play. Foyle has no hands, but is the defensive player we need. So is Dampier for that matter. I liked what I saw from Brian Skinner last year. Kandi blocks shots and plays defense (that's all he can do). Mark Blount looks like a stud. So there's options, but we need to make the right choice. It's too important not have a good center. Cato was more important than anyone realizes.
It would be nice to have another center that can pass, but Vlade is probably still going to be expensive. I would also get tired of watching the flopping night in and night out. I'd like to see them bring in Mark Blount, but he's also probaby going to be expensive as well.
It depends on other teams offers. Supposedly there are quite a bit of teams interested in Foyle too, go figure.
Here's a list of free agent centers: Jason Collier - Atlanta Joel Przybilla - Atlanta Zeljko Rebraca - Atlanta Ernest Brown - Boston Ruben Boumtje - Cleveland Scott Williams - Dallas Michael Doleac - Denver Marcus Camby - Denver Mehmet Okur - Detroit Adonal Foyle - Golden State Stromile Swift - Memphis Loren Woods - Miami Brian Skinner - Milwaukee Oliver Miller - Minnesotta Zaza Paculia - Orlando Sean Rooks - Orlando Vlade Divac - Sacramento Leon Smith - Seattle Greg Ostertag - Utah Etan Thomas - Washington
Adonal Foyle would be ideal for the rockets, 6-8 year veteran, 6-10 270, a shotblocking demon, voracious rebounder that can bang and doesn't need the ball to be happy. He would be an upgrade from Cato just look at his per minute #s. Aquiring Foyle and Barry or Snow would be an out of the park homeroom this offseason, if we can pull it off.
I was just Gonna Mention Scott williams. i'm sure he'll be cheap. nothing Special, but gets the jOB DONE!
If we can Get him, then by all means go for it!. The guy is an Bull in the Low block!. also we'll get a bit more offense out of him Compared to Cato!
Greg Ostertag. I've got to add that most people that have left Utah never have the same game - Any way we can add Jerry Sloan in the deal?
Foyle or Thomas would be good additions. It would be great if the Rox could Dampier, but I doubt that would happen.