Steve Francis continues to be one of my favorite players. I checked his stats almost every game when he played in Orlando and then in New York. So I'm biased. What do ya'll think?
I think he will get waived BEFORE the season. Especially with Brent Barry coming on board, there is no use in keeping SF around. He is washed up and has almost no chance to make the rotation. After what happened last season, he won't be in NBA basketball shape ever again.
I think they'll waive Novak &/or Harris before waiving Francis. An expiring $2.6M contract can still be useful later to salary dump or as a trade asset. I don't see him getting minutes in Adelmen's rotation. His rotation is short and he's gotten his off-season prize in Barry. If the both sides are lucky the Clippers use their remaining cap space to trade for Francis as Davis's backup. The Clips targetted him last year in free agency.
Why will SF get waived? U waive a player u still need to carry his salaries. The Rockets dont have any roster spot problem and SF is an expiring contract. But it's hard to see SF recovers good enough at the beginning of season. Maybe after all-star break but then the rotation will be set. I think the biggest possiblity is SF gets trade at the trade deadline.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone heard anything about SF3's status? He should be running by now if not participating in full contact games. Has anyone seen him at Fonde? I have real doubts about his ability to come back. That being said, if he can, he is going to be a big part of this team. Assuming he can play around 20-25 mins I am looking for 10-14 pts 4-5 assts and 3-4 rebs.
You guys overestimate the value of an expiring contract. They aren't made of gold. I remember when people vociferously argued that Clarence Weatherspoon would be kept on the roster because of his expiring contract. People, we might be keeping 3 rookies on our team. Even if only two, it still won't be easy getting down to 15 players. SF's puny expiring contract is worth a drop of warm water. If/when the Rockets determine he won't be contributing this season, he's a goner before training camp.
I don't expect him to be more than a marginal player at his best. Combining his salary with Jackson/Head might be useful in a trade. He could be here throughout the season until the end of his contract like candlegreen has pointed out.
I believe(well I guess it's more like wishing) that he comes back and plays well(atleast 85% of old self would be nice), that's probably better than Head Brooks & maybe Jackson. My only concern is that this may not be the right offense for him. He needs the ball to get up and down the court to make plays which he will get a chance to run, but once we get in a halfcourt set that is where he will struggle. I think he has alot left, but his skills may fit better in a Golden State type offense.
Yep, hes "well" done. But his expiring contract will be kept around for trades unless we absolutely need that roster spot. Right know when Landry gets signed that is spot 14. If Deke is signed, spot 15. That would leave #16, which isn't allowed, for Dorsey/Harris--needing to cut Francis. So pending the "little trade" (Novak+?), Landry and Deke situations, determines whether Francis is cut or kept around for trade purposes.