[ClutchFans] Podcast: On Sergio Llull, Josh Smith and the NBA Draft

Here's how I look at the team: we've got 6 playoff rotation quality players either locked up or likely to return.

Harden
Ariza
DMo / Smith
Howard / Capela

Obviously we're pretty front court loaded and could use some help on the wings and at guard. We've got the following assets to help that:

Brewer early-bird rights
KJ McDaniels RFA rights
TJones
#18
#32
Papanikolaou NG
Prigioni NG
Beverley RFA rights
Llull draft rights

In addition to filling these holes, every move we make needs to be with an eye towards free agency next year. We can't just simply sign LLull to the full MLE and bring back both Beverley and Brewer on bigger long term contracts.

 

With it looking like Lawson probably to Sac, and Vasquez to the Bucks and us not drafting a PG ( not likely he would play) I really hope Llull comes we will need his playmaking

 

I hate how much power Llull has. It's like he's toying with the Rockets when he might barely be a 2nd string PG in the NBA.

 

Maybe they can trade with Sacramento for Darren Collison...

 

Come on, now. You honestly think his mind isn't made up? And hasn't been for awhile?

For whatever reason, we aren't yet privy to what has been decided.

Maybe Morey has to get other dudes signed on one-year we'll-pay-you-next-year offers before he brings Llull over.

 

Leverage.

 

LOL. Ignore that guy.

 

"Shoutout to the Clutchfans" is none other than Terrence "the Squid" Williams

 

When are we going to know if this guy is signing or not?

 

Yeah, is he coMING? **** or get off the pot.

 

#Soon

 

Now we can't even give him the full MLE since we drafted a second round pick that we aren't Euro-stashing. Unless we give Montrezl a one year minimum deal.*

I thought he'd be coming here but if we can't pay him the full MLE I don't know if he would want to.

*I think

 

#FreeLLull

 

Please Lull. We been at the alter for months now. Just say I DO.

 

Man it seems like all the fire and smoke about Llull coming over has just completely died

 

https://vimeo.com/128046022

We need to keep our guys

 

It is extremely improbable IMO to expect Llull to join the Rockets this year, because of his enormous buyout of 5.6 M dollars.

The Rockets can only contribute 650 K towards that. The Full MLE is 5.4 M.
That is why the 3yr 24M rumors are circulating, which are probably untrue.

Llull hasn't committed to coming to the NBA either, although it seems that he is
interested in exploring the possibility, now that the his season is over.

The best case scenario would be to wait until 2016, when the salary cap will go up.

I feel Morey should continue to retain his rights, unless it can be included in a possible trade for Lowry, if he becomes unexpectedly available.

The likelihood of that is low, because of the uncertainties surrounding Llull.

 

The "max" level contracts in Europe are between 1.1M to 2.2M US dollars. The Euro keeps on dropping too.

 

Please clarify how can that "solve" Llull's contract situation.

Wouldn't that make it harder for Houston to re-negotiate his buyout?

 

It's the Llull before the storm. It will heat up opening fa day. Can't do anything before then anyway. But I think Morey has other alternatives that he might consider if the LMA thing doesn't work.