If you had to rank the available max-level free agents/trade targets this summer, how would they fall on the Rockets priority list? Obviously LeBron would be at the top, but after that it's not clear who the Rockets would prefer. For this exercise, let's assume they all "cost" the same, i.e. Rockets send out Asik, Lin, young players and/or picks. Players under consideration: LeBron Bosh Love Melo Rondo Dirk Aldridge My darkhorse.......Bosh. Just 4 years ago, Morey was on his doorstep with this revolutionary device called an iPad. His value has been diminshed because of role, not skill.
LBJ Love Dirk Melo Bosh I think that Morey is a huge fan of Dirk, even at his age. He is under rated defensively and is close to a perfect fit.
Probably true, but at most you've got 2 years left of "elite" Dirk versus 5 of Melo and Bosh. Also, Bosh gives you backup center minutes and makes us elite defensively in the half court. A team like the spurs would counter a Bosh/Howard lineup by going small, which means we would need to invest our MLE in guards and small forwards, ie Sergio Llull and Kostas Papanikolaou.
This makes me want to cut myself. I respect Dirk as a player but I absolutely can't stand him. He's up there with Kobe on my punch in the face list.
I also can't stand Dirk. But I have to admit, he would be a pretty great fit next to Howard... My main problem with Dirk, besides the fact that I have never been able to stand him, is his age. He doesn't fit with our young roster that is going to be able to grow together, and with him our title window would be 1 or 2 years tops, instead of the potentially 4 or so with Love/Melo/whoever else. That and the fact that I think there is no way Dirk would leave Dallas.
Why is Dirk on any list? That fellow is more likely to play for the French National Team than any NBA squad not named the Mavericks. LeBron, who is absolutely not coming to Houston, is more likely than Dirkie.
I normally would agree with you...... but if a team like Houston offers him a 4 year 60 million dollar deal... and the Mavs are offering him a small portion of that, then Dirk has to strongly consider it. Cuban HOPES to get Dirk resigned at a low number so he can add other players. A team offering a huge deal forces Cuban to make a long term decision that he really doesn't want to make.
Speaking of dirk, he is no longer a max level FA. Dude has already stated that he will come back for less money. He's been publicly campaigning for Melo on the mavs.
LeBron Love Melo Aldridge Dirk Rondo Bosh Dirk would be higher, but his age is a major factor that lowers his place on this list. 2-3 years of Dirk < 4-5 years of the others above him.
LeBron - Best player in the world Love - Young and fits perfectly Aldridge - Younger than Bosh by a couple of years. Fits well and can play backup center. Bosh - Older than Aldridge. Fits well and can play backup center. Melo - Very good player, but his skills are somewhat redudant with Harden and Parsons. Rondo - Late 20s. Not an elite scorer. Could setup Harden/Dwight. Dirk - Good for a 2 year run.
1.) Lebron 2.) Love 3.) Melo 4.) Aldridge 5.) Bosh 6.) Lowry...not max level 7.) Dirk 8.) Rondo I added Lowry to my list!... (I peeked inside once) ....... ....... .......
why do some of you guys want Bosh over Melo? He is nowhere near the player Melo is....his defense has slipped significantly, his offense was horrible in the finals (and frankly most of the playoffs), and he rebounds worse...
There are alot of insiders on the Garm today. Answer is simple... the priority is to get the one you can actually get. Love can be had most likely the quickest coming up on draft night. I assume he is priority #1 right now along with other draft moves. All others will likely be either available or not come July 1st. By that time Morey will know who is available and who isn't and go from there.
