Was discussing this with my brother today. We couldn't work out the 5 players that will be cut. We said that Mitchell, Black and Covington are locks. Who are 5 that you think will be cut? Francisco Garcia $1,316,809 Josh Powell $1,310,286 Clint Capela $1,189,200 Jeff Adrien $981,084 Joey Dorsey $948,163 Ishmael Smith $915,243 Isaiah Canaan $816,482 Robert Covington $816,482 Troy Daniels $816,482 Tarik Black $507,336 Nick Johnson $507,336 Akil Mitchell -$507,336 Roster and numbers from http://hoopshype.com/salaries/houston.htm
Probably will have to wait until the end of the preseason to figure that out. I would say guys like Adrian, Daniels, Garcia, and Canaan are locks to stay, though. Nick Johnson is likely D-League to start. Not sure what Capela is doing.
Mitchell, Covington and Powell. Other than that, I have no idea anymore. I thought Black and Ish Smith for sure until the preseason started, but now I don't know. Nobody is safe.
Probably would let go of Canaan, but not my call If Dorsey goes, we probably pick up a veteran back up C later Two out of: Ish Smith, Black, Dorsey, Canaan The rest: Powell, Akil Mitchell, Covington
I think Capela is a first rounder but so raw. When was the last time a first rounder was waived before the season? Nick Johnson I think he will survive
You really have to wait till the last week of preseason to look holistically at the big picture of how they performed and how they fit in. What I can tell you though is Black and Ish are going to make it a pretty tough call. I'm sure Dorsey will get healthy really really quick now after watching that game.
Also I don't think the Rockets have cut a rookie draft pick(was a late 2nd rounder) since Terrell Bell back in 96 I think it was. The rookies aren't getting cut. I wouldn't even spend time discussing it further.
The thing is you still need contracts the likes of Capela, Adrien, Garcia, Dorsey, as a trade filler. It is easier to cut those minor, half-guaranteed ones
Mitchell , Covington, and Powell for sure .. Then I think one of ish or Caanan and then one of black/ adrien/ Dorsey I think they will keep two of the pf/ centers and maybe send down to the d league or give about 12 min a game to one of them . I think that with the jet and bev and harden you have decent pg depth but it would be nice for either Caanan or smith to outplay the other during preseason and claim some backup guard minutes. I think whoever loses the "battle" between jones and dmo for the starting 4 will be on a short leash for the first part of the season which is really a shame.
Powell and Mitchell for sure. Then you need to look at players in groups.... Guards - 1 cut Ish Canaan Wings - 1 cut Garcia Covington Bigs - 1 cut Black Dorsey Adrien At this point, I have no idea what happens. If Ish beats out Canaan by a wide margin, then I fully expect Canaan to be traded. Covington is a guy I hate to give up on. I don't think Garcia is as big a lock as everyone thinks, but his unique ability to guard Durant gives him some extra value. As good as Black played, he's still the odd man out among the bigs. He'd have to do what he did tonight throughout the preseason.
that's true. both veterans. terry plays more of the 1/2 and Garcia 2/3. would depend if they need the wing depth. I think terry has the advantage in shooting.
Covington, Dorsey, Powell, Mitchell and then trade Canaan for a 2nd. Beverley/Smith/Johnson Harden/Terry/Daniels Ariza/Papaniko/Garcia Jones/Motiejunas/Adrian Howard/Black/Capela My current final 15.
More like contracts like Jason Terry but I get the point. Capela or any rookie scale contract is unlikely to be on the roster strictly as trade filler. Capela is going to make the team because you just don't spend such a valuable asset as a first round draft pick only to throw it in the trash weeks later for nothing. It's just bad business.