Even Sterling isn't stupid enough make that trade. Francis + EG for Brand + A.Miller seems alittle more realistic...even with Francis in that trade, Clippers still get the short end of the stick. Francis and Brand are about the same value. Both are all stars and are the leaders of their teams. A.Miller is way more valuable than E.Griffin. Griffin is not even an average NBA player due to his stats right now. A.Miller/Moochie Mobes/Posey Posey/Nachbar/Rice/Tmo Brand/ MoT/Collier Ming/Cato that ain't too shabby If you want Brand and Miller, you'd probably have to package Yao if you want to keep the franchise. Ming + Nachbar + Rice (or MoT) for Brand + A.Miller. The salaries should work out and the rockets get rid of Rice's big contract. A.Miller/Moochie/Francis Francis/Mobes Posey/TMo Brand/E.Griffin/MoT Cato/Collier However, I highly doubt Brand or Miller might resign with the clippers because they do become free agents next year. So I guess the clippers would be desperate enough to do anything.
Yao is probably the last to get traded, considering his Potential + Rookie contract + Business prospect But without either SF or Yao, you can hardly get Brand and Miller. So if Rockets really wants to get them, they will most likely trade SF. Les does want to be the "best team of NBA". While Rockets would have difficulty to build a contender team around SF, they sure have the chance to build it around Yao.
I would do a Cat+EG for Elton Brand + anyone trade. Brand is one of the top young forwards in the league. He is not selfish and works hard every night. More importantly, he is a perfect complement to Yao in the front court due to his bulk and rebounding ability. Cat and EG for Brand is a fair trade in my book. We can take anyone else from the Clippers in the deal. If it's Miller (which is unlikely), we don't need to resign him. Just let him walk or trade him elsewhere. In fact, a player like Piakowski is more plausible and might fit better with the Rockets. Also, I could see Donald Sterling be willing to make the trade. He didn't resign Brand when he had the chance last summer and I don't see him do it next year either. EG still has a couple more years left on his rookie contract and Cat doesn't have a big contract--exactly the type of players that are Sterling-friendly. With Brand, we would have a very solid team to compete for a championship in the future-- PG Francis SG <--use MLE to sign someone here SF Posey PF Brand C Ming
what's the contract situation Brand has with Clip? Is he gonna be FA next season? I dont think Brand would want to play for a bad team anymore. Rox might be attractive to him. On the other hand, I dont think A.Miller is a fit in Rox unless we get rid of Francis or move him to two, which I dont think Steve likes. Salary wise this trade wont work, Rox have to throw someone esle in this deal. Like I said in other post, a Brand+Magett for Cat+TMo+EG might be possible. Still I dont think Clip would do it if we dont give up our star players like Ming or Francis. Brand is carrying Clipper right now, I am sure he's sought after by many teams.
A.Miller is not a leader. He is not agressive enough. We need Francis at point position to direct this team.
The Clippers wouldn't do this deal unfortunately. They're stupid, but not like... Cuttino stupid. Personally I'd do this deal even without Andre Miller. Elton Brand would be that big of an addition. Put him next to Yao and that's a potent 4/5 combo for years. Give the Clippers some credit though -- they've made some outstanding deals. Trading unproven high schoolers Darius Miles and Tyson Chandler for Andre Miller and Elton Brand respectively was pretty amazing. The matter of paying them is another story. I think if anyone is worth the max to the Clippers, Elton Brand has to be. You have to re-up him. As mentioned before though, I could see them not wanting to max out Andre Miller. Something could be worked out there possibly... but with the Rockets I'm not so sure. I also don't think the Clippers would be interested in Eddie Griffin since they have Chris Wilcox as the power forward they're grooming for the future (but you can never have enough big guys I guess - and they are always the most valuable in trades)
Is Miller big enough to guard opposing 2 guards? I don't think so. Whoever plays the point has to be pretty big, someone like Snow or Penny, or even Payton would work. Mobley and Griffin for Payton
Andre Miller and Elton Brand are worth much more. What I would propose is: Cuttino + Eddie Griffin for Elton Brand and Corey Maggette (or Q). NOW, if that can be arranged, great; but I think if you traded Corey or Q to the Bulls for Crawford. Send Tito Maddox and/or Terrence Morris (although I like T for his defense) and maybe the Chicago draft obligation, work these things in the mix. The Clips would take Cat in a heartbeat because he has one of the most cap-friendly contracts in the league, and his presence MIGHT convince Lamar Odom (who Sterling and Elgin B. like) to stay on (Lamar and Cat are buds---speaking of buds, Lamar: put down the pipe). I think we should try to get in on this action because the Clips are going to lose at least one player in the off-season (Kandi) and maybe Brand, Miller, and Odom as well (if the Clips don't match another team's offer---and who's to say they will?---then the players are free). That means San Antonio stays strong, Denver and Utah might replenish themselves, Seattle....you name it. We need to get in on this. Or we'll wind up with the same collection of dumba$$es year in and year out. So we would wind up without Cat and EG and with BRAND and CRAWFORD (OR) Q/MAGGETTE.
As of right now, Maggette is probably more valuable than Mobley or Griffin. If you want Brand, you'll have to return a franchise player for him. Nuff said. Either Franchise or the dynasty for Brand.
Eddie Griffin and Cuttino Mobley and Terence Morris for Elton Brand and Lamar Odom! I know it wouldn't happen...but we would be very lucky. That would be great.
I voted "no" because, even if Steve accepted the role of SG rather than PG, Miller and SF would give Houston the smallest backcourt in the league (barring a trade for Boykins ). However, SF would be very unhappy and the Fellowship of the Ring would be broken.
I still think that the Houston team has enough talent to win it all in 2 years. Mobley and Francis are redundant, for sure, but with a coach that could take control of the ship, I don't think this would be a problem. Does no one else find the slip in Andre Miller's game, despite the increase in talent around him, a little alarming? Sure, his scoring shoudl go down some, but his assists have dropped by over three a game, he's shooting significantly worse, he rebounds worse, fewer steals, fewer blocks, more turnovers, more fouls, etc. Will Rudy help Miller get back his previous form, will he integrate Brand into the offense seamlessly. IMO, Rudy's problem is that he writes "Run, Run, Run" on the board before a game, and he thinks this will make the team run. Instead, they still generally just go out there and do whatever they want. You can tell Rudy is frustrated through all the quick timeouts, etc. Nonetheless, if any of those deals were offered, I'd jump on board. If the players are going to run the ship, I'd rather have Brand/Miller being part of taking charge than Mobley/Griffin.
Okay. That is what you think Rudy does? Maybe...we don't know. Anyways...I DON'T THINK ELTON BRAND CARES IF RUDY OR JOHN LUCAS IS HIS COACH. Elton Brand can score with anybody. He can go to Cleveland with a bad coach and still put up his numbers. He is that good. Having Rudy as a coach would not make a difference. It would be even easier for Brand with Yao Ming and James Posey and Steve Francis. I still like Mobley though...and this trade will never happen. Andre Miller...something must be wrong. 11 assist per game with CLEVELAND...and now doing worse... Weird.
Very balanced team. Top 4 team in the west, imo. Two and a half scorers, two defensive specialists and 1 1/2 passers. The only reason Sterling would do this is because of money.
The Rockets have usually lost this season because of an inconsistent front court, not the other way around. We go entire games without getting anything from our forwards and Yao is really slowing down the last month. Obviously, Yao is not getting enough touches and that falls on the guards, but it also falls on Rudy's unimaginative offense and inability to make in-game adjustments. As for DaDakota's trade proposal, I don't know.... Putting Steve at 2 guard is asking for trouble in the west. He would get torched by the Kobe's, Michael Finley's and Stojakovich's of the NBA in the playoffs. Cuttino is a pretty decent defender (because of his uncommonly long arms) and is a comparative bargain at his salary. I wouldn't move him unless Boki is ready to step at the three with Posey moving to the 2 guard. Steve is still one of the top three point guards in the league, why mess with that? I would love to snare Brand and would be willing to give up a lot to get him, but I still think the best course for the team is to stay together and see if EG is the real deal. He's too young to give up on without getting a stud in return. The Rockets could potentially have one of the best shot-blocking front-lines in the league with Griffin and Yao. EG is still is the best natural rebounder on the team (well, besides Francis) and he shows flashes of being a dominant player (the Atlanta game, for example). I am inclined to let the team play at least until the middle of next year before making any drastic changes.
I like! We could just wait a little bit until the season is over and then offer for Elton Brand. You are right. Steve Francis is the All Star point guard. He has enough trouble guarding guards like Andre Miller and Jason Williams. How can he guard Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady or even Eddie Jones or Richard Hamilton? By the way, James Posey would be guarding Stojakovic. And Peja is GOOD. I agree. Our guards will always score...only one exception (4 point Steve game). Our front court is the ones that are not exactly consistent. Cato has been consistent...Yao has been struggling but has gotten better the last 2 games. The power forwards need to play good every game. Although Eddie and Yao are good shotblockers....ELTON BRAND IS EVEN BETTER. I WOULD STILL LOVE HIM TO COME TO HOUSTON.
What is so wrong about standing pat for a little while? We are the youngest(I'm guessing here) playoff team in the west...Why is it necessary to make a trade every few weeks? What's so wrong with sticking to a team for a season...you know, waiting it out? Anyway...At this point(Seeing no immediate improvement in Mobley or Eddie), one would have to be crazy to say no to this deal.
I like Brand Besides: Francis, Ming and i'm leaning toward Posey EVERY OTHER ROCKET CAN GO IN A TRADE FOR BRAND! Rocket River getting a bit frustrated
Why would the Clippers trade away there best big man. Brand is clearly better than any of our big men. So it would make sense for Houston but for LA it, doesn't make much sense.
