SI's Chris Mannix on 610 at 2:15 CT

Chris, funny because we all want Carmelo. But even moreso, fans ready for this to end. Is there an end in sight?

If fans arent, reporters are. I certainly am. This is like a season of '24'. Everytime there is a resolution, something else comes up. I dont see a resolution coming in the next couple days. NJ has a 4 game roadtrip. Right now, from people I talk to, Denver isnt showing inclination or urgency. Still shifting through offers. Still looking for a taker for Harrington. Havent found that yet. They're in no rush. It's a no to your answer.

We've talked about this before in regard to Rockets and Anthony and whether or not the Rockets would/wouldnt require an extension.

I thought in August, he would be willing to sign an extension. Now, everything is on it's head. Yao is out. They could be looking as him as a rental. Kevin Martin has been mentioned in talks. They could try to convince him to stay or do a S&T in the offseason. Houston wont necessarily require an extension. Now if you're gutting the team, yeah you need an extension. If its a smaller deal, they would be ok with a rental.

You brought up Martin. Martin would be gutting the team for rental no?

It would but in my opinion its worth the risk. He got a big contract. If youre rebuilding, shedding that contract isnt a bad idea. Martin is more effective playing around a franchise C like Yao. They brought him in to play off Yao. Yao is out and Martin may not be the right fit. Even if you flip Carmelo in a S&T, it's not the worst idea to trade Martin. If CA does leave, you do have cap space to deal with. You then have the ability to reshape the roster with cap space.

Not the biggest fan of Martin but still, seems like a risk if all your getting is Carmelo for half a year.

I understand but to me, I look at this team, and is Martin someone you want to build around? I say no. If Yao is there, sure he is a valuable piece to keep. Is he the guy you consider franchise cornerstone? No. Makes no sense to keep things afloat just to win a couple games. If youre gonna rebuild, you do it all the way.

Aaron Brooks, scoring a big part for him as we saw last night. Thoughts on Williams and Lee and their potential? What might they be?

Williams was a great risk or great acquistion. Williams time ran out NJ. Clashed in NJ with Avery. Was late to practice and shoot-arounds. He was one guy who was in shape from day one was Williams. He is athletic. Getting him in a new surrounding, he can be part of the long term future. Cost for him was worth it. Got a guy who they can take a look at and possible building block. Lee different story. Not sure how he fits down the road with Williams now and Martin.

If 'Melo ends up in NY or NJ, this isnt the FA summer of love like last year. You got some OK names. So if youre a Rockets fan, is there a possibility for a big name?

Not in FA. Morey has talked about acquiring stars via trade. Unclear who that would be. These take shape later on when players want out or a team figures out they wont be able to sign him. There are some names in 2012 FA class. Howard, Paul, big names available. If Orlando doesnt win Howard will be available. These things will come together. We'll be happy when Carmelo drama ends but if Orlando gets bounced early, speculation on Howard will start.

One guy who is lying in the weeds, that is Chris Paul. He is a sexy name. Does he want out? Where might he go if so?

Paul has always wanted a new destination. Now that NBA owns the team, New Orleans will likely be in a new city in next few years and Paul will be in a different uni. When a new owner comes in, their first priority will be dealing Paul. Obvious teams are NY and NJ. Guys in his camp pushing him there. Among all players out there, Paul wants to play for a winner. He will jump to play with a Carmelo or Dwight.

Thanks. Appreciate the time.

Anytime guys.

 

Chris doesn't understand what we're trying to do. He's thinking we are totally rebuilding and Martin would be the piece to trade for Melo. Not going to happen. Morey wants Martin to play alongside Melo. Martin, because of his high efficiency, will make Melo even more potent.

 

I don't think so, I have always thought that Morey is looking to flip Martin, once Yao went out, everything changed.

And Martin is the kind of guy that if your team is trading a Superstar, say CP3, you can still be excited about getting Kmart.......


DD

 

The last part interests me...that Paul will jump to play with Melo. If Morey WERE able to get Melo then there might be a chance to keep him if he can convince Melo to stay put and that CP3 is coming. Also...

Amen.

 

Morey loves Martin's effectiveness and ability to get to the line to much to just give him up. I could see Martin in a trade but only for a superstar that gets to the line.

 

I could be wrong but I don't see it that way. I think they are looking to move out Scola before they move Martin. Martin doesn't take shots away from superstars. He is extremely efficient. Playing alongside a true superstar and possibly another star, his value is going to go through the roof. Scola has maxed out. Scola and Martin are repetitive, both guys that give you good offense and terrible defense, but Scola doesn't give you as efficient offense as Martin gives you and he is just as bad if not worse than Martin is defensively.

 

Can you be a superstar without getting to the line?

 

Martin's offensive stats are better than ever and the Rockets are as efficient as they've been for a decade so it's hard to say he's a bad fit there just because Yao is not around.

His D could have been covered up better with a big C around, but that's true for everyone on the team and Morey certainly isn't looking like he wants to get rid of them all.

 

I think just like Morey has learned his lesson on the SIZE and Athleticism are not as important as production issue, he is now learning that getting to the line a lot is a hollow philosophy.

DD

 

And Melo gets to the line a lot.

I personally think Morey wants to enhance Martin's game by playing him alongside other guys that draw a ton of fouls. Melo and Martin would be great fits because both of them draw a ton of fouls and Melo can do everything else besides. Martin's already efficient game would go through the roof next to another guy like Melo.

 

anyone have a reccap?

 

http://kilt.cbslocal.com/2011/01/11/chris-mannix-4/

 

Mannix is for tanking!!!!!!

 

Any big trade will include Martin

 

So, if the Rox trade Yao's contract along with other expirings and young talent and draft picks, it isn't a big trade????

Martin will be here after the trade deadline, son.

 

I think Mannix is good at getting stories as they unfold but he clearly has no idea of how Morey thinks and operates. Seems like pure speculation and bad speculation at that.

 

Exactly. He's just speculating on what he thinks we should do.

 

Martin has never been untouchable, from day one, if getting a better player hinges on it, Morey will sing bye-byes to Kevin. That said, I am less reluctant to watch him go since I became paranoid about defense and only want two-dimensional players on my team. As much as I like them, I’m ready to see Martin and Scola go.

 

U don't understand the Houston's problem