We tried to pull a fast one and got caught. We all knew Dmo wasn't physically able to play. If he was, he would've been on the court with the them. I can't fault Morey for trying, however, this will not work out like the Robert Horry trade did.
I'm only glad because it proves I was right when I said D-Mo was busted back in the fall. But, that's one prognostication I'd have rather been wrong about.
No. As much as I appreciate Motiejunas, it's really awkward to bring traded players back, especially regarding the situation around Dwight. Plus, it would've been real intereseting to see what Morey accomplishes with the pick plus Lawson's unguaranteed contract on Draft Day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKQ9QX5aQiI Not sure if he demanded a trade behind the scenes, but I remember talks of him being unhappy to not be in rotation as we lost that Blazers series. Many of us weren't sure if he'd be back or moved. Then last year he flourished while Dwight was out so there wasn't much talk about it after.
Theoretically, DMo can't just walk. He's not unrestricted. The Rockets can match any offer if they really want to keep him. The restricted free agency market of DMo will be interesting. Will teams be scared of his injury? Will someone take the risk and throw him money. If it is the latter, I am sure the Rockets will let him go.
Also Dmo has to sign an offer sheet. He has to want to join a team for the money offered. If a team only offers him a backup PF role for two years $25 mil he will probably not sign it. The Rockets just have to offer him more years tbh.
I'd say most team (including the Rockets) would not give him more than two years. Because of the risk, I'd say he most likely will get offer for a one year contract. If they really like his skills, they might give him big money, but just for one year and no more.
Maybe it's all a super-complicated ruse to lower his free agency value so Morey can keep him on the cheap!
I voted no because the Rockets lost out on a likely 1st round lottery pick. A controlled multi-year cost and value asset. A key avenue to adding a lost cost quality role player. I voted no because DMo will likey be renounced or sign an RFA offer sheet somewhere else.
When Morey talks about having "back up trades" that he couldn't execute because he did the DMo trade I have to wonder if moving Jones for a lesser pick asset was one of them. Morey probably said to himself, I have to move one of these guys, and which one gets me the best asset. And the other I will keep...for now.
Morey probably knew DMo IF healthy had more trade value than Jones. With the health risk factored in, getting a possible late lotto pick was too good to pass up. I take that a pick is as uncertain as DMo's future health. But knowing Morey, he didn't need to draft a player with that pick better than DMo. All he needed was being able to use the pick as trade asset to get something better than DMo. A first round pick is always perceived to be more tangible than an injury prone player's health.
Or Morey just wasn't shopping Jones at all. Or Morey probably thinks he's more valuable to this team than Dmo. Or maybe he couldn't trade him because he was just in a,car accident that sidelined him for several games.
LOL if he thinks Jones is more valuable than DMo, even considering DMo's health problems, then he needs to be fired instantly. That's just unacceptably foolish, Jones is one of if not the worst PF in the NBA.
Perfectly healthy DMo tonight: O points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks. Detroit Pistons #1 pick: Projected to be in the lottery since they are the #9 seed.
