I don't know why, but I think this draft will have a huge impact on us resigning Carl Landry. If one of the players that the Rockets believe can replace Landry and his 15+ minutes a game is available, it might mean that we let him walk, or do a SnT with another team for his services. I know we all love Carl Landry, but he has some serious issues that make signing him to a big contract a big risk. Also, since Scola is the starter and will play more minutes next year, Landry is a guy that other team's covet and we may be able to get by without. Landry's contract situation makes this off season a mess, and the sooner the Rockets can clear it up...either by resigning him at a reasonable rate, or trading him, the better. Because as long as Carl Landry's situation is hanging over the Rockets it will continue to tie up the MLE....which we should be looking to use to shore up areas of greater need..... Better PG, more size/scoring at the wing positions etc... So, pay particular attention to the draft if the Rockets draft a PF say someone like Jason Thompson , my guess is it means Landry might be out the door, maybe even on draft night. DD
Disagree. Landry will be staying. Period. For one, he hasn't proven enough to get a crazy offer from another team, IMO. For two, the Rockets will match what he gets. The Rockets will draft the best player they can at 25 and see what happens. If we trade up and select a PF with the higher pick, then maybe. Still doubtful. The Rockets would cut or trade Chuck before letting Landry leave.
Deja vu: we get a couple of seemingly capable youngsters like Sam Cassell and Robert Horry and we jettison them off like we talk of doing to Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks. Which over-the-hill ex-star could we trade them for?
it's possible. but morey said that the team wont be looking to add talent via FA. reason being that they are so close to the LT as is it. infact, signing landry to a 2-3 mil per year deal would probably mean trying to move someone like chuck hayes for a trade exception or at the very least, an ending contract. i think when it comes to the draft, you take the best player left and sort it out later. like last year with all the pg's... james, brooks, and steve were the best options available via trade, draft, and Fa. he got them all and let it work itself out.
I don't want to get rid of Landry, but I think his contract is tying the hands of the front office, and with his knee issues, it may be the way they are leaning. Landry is a unique talent, but you can not overestimate his impact, he is a bit time player on a good team. If he has to go to free up some room to manuever and make the team better, then he has to go. DD
If there were 3-4 free agents that would be good fits and command money around the full mle, I would think that Landry's contract would present a problem. However, I can't think of a player other than Magette (and he's probably outside MLE money) that fits that description. Per status quo over the last few years, I think the Rox will try to get value out of the remaining FA's, once all the teams over pay for the first tier talent. With this strategy, I can't see how Landry's contract will be a problem.
I don't think we can get enough value in return for Landry. If Landry plays this well for a year or two more, then he deserves to start, but probably won't be better for us than Scola. Then we may have to trade him and his value will probably be higher as well.
At times Landry played like he should start. I think that he is perfect as the 4 off the bench for energy and usually high percentage shots. We need to hold on to him.
I wouldn't be surprised if Landry ended up being better than Scola. What luxury is it to have guys that can actually play at the 4 spot?
... with only one year in the NBA. I'm willing to move him for the right deal but some seem to see his ceiling already. That would seem to be premature.... but for the right deal (one that calculates his upside not just his thusfar).
I like Landry, but he's a run of the mill type. i'm not saying he doesnt have value, but Milsap,Turiaf,Powe hell even Malik Rose in his day was the same guy. U have to be careful with these types and not overvalue them. kenny Thomas was in that mold as well as gary trent and corliss to a lesser extent. They should offer him a deal at 3 yrs 2m per, if he balks, let him go and move and. I personally would like Turiaf because he's a little bigger and a better shot blocker and he's younger. Landry is a good player, but his slow recovery from knee issues is a concern.
What knee injury are you talking about? You mean the one that did NOT require surgery like T-Mac's? What about Alston's surgery. Landry is not a bit player...but if you want him gone cause you think he's a scrub then that's your opinion.
If Morey will get Richard Hendrix from the draft, there's a possibility that we could let Landry go...
Landry traded? Sure, why not? But, Landry traded for less than a really tight fit? I'd think not. TMac traded? Sure, why not? But, traded for what? Everyone (but Yao) is in play. Always. Let's list them all and then say 'I told you so'.
Agree 100%. The only way this team really gets better is with young players improving within a system they are already familiar with. People that didn't watch Landry in college still have not seen the full extent of his game, he was a rookie trying to fit into a new system last season which is a huge adjustment. With the lack of athletism on the rockets frontline, Landry has major value to the rockets. I would move the two midgets Hayes and Harris before letting Landry just walk.
I don't think we'll get rid of Landry and I don't think we should get rid of him, but hypothetically speaking, I think James Gist is a guy we could snag in the second round that could be a similar player. Less offensively efficient, but with more length and defensive presence. Not that it really means anything, but Draftexpress has him listed as our pick at #54.
How is his contract tying the hands of the front office? I think if you truly believe your last 2 statements, like i have since before the season ended, then he shouldn't bother us. If there's something out there better get it. I like Landry but i don't see how everyone seems to think that a short PF with a knee injury deserves most of our MLE.
this is my own 2008 mock draft. 1. Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose - No brainer. Hinrich has declined after signing his contract, so this is the right pick for the Bulls. Hinrich might as well have his bags packed because he'll probably be traded this off-season for a big man. 2. Miami Heat: Michael Beasley - Can't pass up his talent. Though I am kind of skeptical because apparently he's not really Riley's type of personnel. If I had to go with intuition I'd say he'd get traded to Minnesota or Memphis for a chance to get O.J. Mayo/Jerryd Bayless and some youth/athleticism. 3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Brook Lopez - I almost picked Mayo at this spot, but I think the T'wolves might be more inclined to give Randy Foye more time. Getting the better of the Lopez twins gives the T'wolves a better fit for C and it shifts Al Jefferson to PF which is his natural position. 4. Seattle Supersonics/ OK Supersonics(?): Jerryd Bayless - Really I think it's a toss up here for the Supersonics if they want Mayo or Bayless. Both SG's in a PG's body, both quick and athletic. But there's still those stupid redflags over Mayo which is why I'm thinking Bayless over Mayo. Sonic's need to build a core of young talent, Durant, Green, and Bayless look pretty damn good. 5. Memphis Grizzlies: O.J. Mayo - I can't believe I would have Mayo going this low since a couple of years ago he was projected going first overall. Really Mayo doesn't address a huge team need, but in reality they suck and could use anything at this point. I still stand by my belief that Mayo and something else will be traded to Miami for Beasley 6. New York Knicks: Kevin Love - Knicks suck worse than anything and could use anyone at this point. I was going to throw Russel Westbrook in here, but the Knicks need a better PF than Zach Randolph so why not replace him with a better person with his name. Love’s got an excellent feel for the game and he’s got good character too. I think he will be the next Brad Miller. 7. L.A. Clippers: Eric Gordon - Maggette's pretty much out the door and Mobley is terrible, period. The Clippers need a replacement at PG, but I think they'll address scoring with this pick. Gordon brings scoring and athleticism to the table, but disappeared before the NCAA Tournament. He's still legit and should mesh well with Thorton, Brand, and Kaman. 8. Milwaukee Bucks: Joe Alexander - I had a tough choice between Alexander and Danilo Gallinari, but I think the Bucks don't want to take too many chances with international players. Their biggest need is at SF and defense so Alexander makes more sense here. Plus he grew up in China and can speak fluent Manderin! He'll get along with Yi in no time. 9. Charlotte Bobcats: DeAndre Jordan - The Bobcats could do a lot worse with this pick. They need size and strength at C, so this pick would make sense. But too bad Jordan sucks and rose the bench at A&M, yeah I'm hatin'. He's got supposed talent though and could be the next Dwight Howard, so it would benefit the Bobcats to polish this diamond in the rough. 10. New Jersey Nets: Danilo Gallinari - From what I've read/heard they're really on this guy's nuts. SF with handles and a shot, but I'm not too convinced that it would work out that well. I guess this somewhat makes Richard Jefferson expendable to shore up some frontcourt help for Krstic 11. Indiana Pacers: Russell Westbrook - Clear choice here. Tinsley is an awful player and is more likely to shoot up a club than make a shot. If Westbrook isn't here at this pick however, the choice would be D.J. Augustin. 12. Sacramento Kings: D.J Augustin - Even though Udrih was tearing it up late last season, I see the Kings going with the Longhorn(w00t). Udrih is likely to receive an absurd amount of money for his "breakout season" and the Kings probably won't match an offer too ridiculous. Augustin is a safe pick just because he simply owns basketball and any player not named Derrick Rose....Yeah I said it.... 13. Portland Trailblazers: Anthony Randolph - Portland is pretty much set with their lineup and I'm thinking they're going to the playoffs in '08-'09. Their biggest concerns in my opinion are SF and rebounding. I initially put Donte Greene, but I don’t think there’s a way Portland can pass on Randolph’s talent. 14. Golden State Warriors: Kosta Koufos - Warriors need a big man no question about it and Koufos makes perfect sense. He's big, he can rebound, and he shoots the3 ball like it's nothing. perfect guy for the perfect system. 15. Phoenix Suns: Brandon Rush - Tears all over for me, I wanted the Rockets to get Rush(even though he's KU). But with Grant Hill getting too old they'll need an upgrade at SF. Rush is a good defender, good shooter, and he'll benefit from Nash's passes as well as Shaq's kick outs. Plus he'll get his time to defend that *** Manu and clamp him down. 16. Philidelphia 76ers: JaVale McGee - The 76ers are in no rush so they can take their time to develop this guy. He's got apparent Andrew Bynum ability so it should be worth it to roll the dice. 76ers could use all the frontcourt help they can get so they're better off throwing McGee into the fire. 17. Toronto Raptors: Donte Greene - Lottery talent, but still very raw. He's got crazy amount of potential and should help bolster the weak SF position of the Raptors. Though I wouldn't be all too surprised if the Raptors go international again and draft Nicolas Batum. 18. Washington Wizards: Marreese Speights - With Antawn Jamison possibly leaving this summer for free agency Speights would be a capable replacement. He's got shot and size to help their terrible frontcourt. 19. Cleveland Cavaliers: Roy Hibbert - Wizards stole what Cleveland probably needed the most, but they could do a lot worse than Hibbert. Since Cleveland pretty much runs in half-court sets or stand-around-and-wait-for-Lebron-to-pass-to-them sets, Hibbert's lack of conditioning wouldn't get too greatly abused. And even though they already have Ilgauskas, he should be looking to retire because he's just too damn slow. 20. Denver Nuggets: Robin Lopez - This talented team has so many holes it's ridiculous. They have major issues at PG, defense, depth, and having an idiot leader in Carmelo Anthony. Since they are no pure PG's really left in the draft Robin Lopez makes the most sense. He's capable of playing some crazy defense and is the rebounder and non-pansy that Kenyon Martin is not. 21. New Jersey Nets: Alexis Ajinca - Really the Nets just need size and defense at this point so going after Ajinca is the right choice. Monster defense(mainly weak-side blocks) helped France in international competition. 22. Orlando Magic: Chris Douglas-Roberts - The Magic need a SG and rebounding bad, but for now I think that they can play Lewis at PF and hope for the best. CDR is capable of contributing immediately and is a super upgrade from Maurice Evans at SG. Tears part II, CDR would've helped the Rockets as well. 23. Utah Jazz: Nathan Jawai - The motherfu....Jazz need C help because Okur is a pansy. Pretty much their entire team is comprised of dirty players who flop and don't have the testicular fortitude to pick a fight. That's all I'm writing about them. 24. Seattle Supersonics/ OK Supersonics(?): Darrell Arthur - Seattle really needs frontcourt help along side of Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison. Arthur’s talented offensively and defensively(led KU in block shots), but there are concerns about being so foul prone. 25. Houston Rockets: Serge Ibaka - Call me crazy, but this would be a good fit for the Rockets. It's true they need size and shooting, but that can be address via trade ala Mike Miller. Ibaka is crazy athletic and could be a defensive force ala Dikembe. I saw roll the dice on Ibaka and rely on Morey to conjure up a trade to bring in a third scorer. 26. San Antonio Spurs: Mario Chalmers - These bitc....guys could really use a better SF than Bowen or Udoka, but with a crappy backup PG in Vaughn, Chalmers should mesh nicely with this team. Being said and done, he'll have to learn how to flop immensely from Manu, hip check people from Horry and become an incessant and b****y whiner from Duncan. 27. New Orleans Hornets: Courtney Lee - I kind of wanted this guy for the Rockets as well, but it's all right. Lee is an excellent shooter and has 4 years of college under his belt. He should be given the chance to shine from CP3's passes and the decline of Morris Peterson. 28. Memphis Grizzlies: Jason Thompson - Size, size, size. They get size from Thompson and he's probably the best available at this position for the Grizzlies. 29. Detroit Pistons: DeVon Hardin - Even though he's projected 2nd round in most Mock Drafts he addresses the needs of the Pistons. They need a true C to push Wallace back into his natural PF position. 30. Boston Celtics: J.J. Hickson - What do they care, they're the NBA Champs. They could use a C, but there are worse things in the world than Kendrick Perkins. Draft best talent available, they might even go international here with Nicolas Batum. the reason why I have us taking serge ibaka is just because yao will need a backup the year after next. ibaka is capable of becoming an excellent defender under deke and can be an able replacement if yao were to go down again. as for addressing the wing problem. trade for mike miller or rip hamilton in the ongoing detroit trade rumors. landry should be resigned, but there has to be a line drawn as to how much we should pay him. i'm fairly certain that the rockets want to stay under the luxury tax.
