Not much new from Chris Mannix on SR610, pure rehash of this thread. Visited Nene, kicked tires on Dalembert, but have come to the realization that Nene is going back to Denver for a max or near max deal. Dalembert too limited on offense, Houston looking for offensive lynchpin to replace Yao as a post focal point. New Orleans doesn't want Gasol, 31 years old, called NY, Indiana to try and flip him, Houston has best package. The deal looks like Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, multiple draft picks from LA and Houston. LA feels like they are rotting from the inside, felt complacent, belief in LA that this is moment to change team, LA got shredded by PG last year, felt they needed an upgrade. Want to flip Bynum to the Magic for Howard. Not unhappy with Gasol, business decision. DeAndre Jordan & Dalembert; need to be very careful giving them lots of money: Dalembert: divisive influence in the locker-room, delusional about offensive abilities, once complained about touches on offense on MEDIA DAY prior to a season, these mental issues well known around the league. Jordan: Mini Sam Dalembert, looking for $45-50M over 5 years. On the radar, but Houston wary about these players. DeAndre Jordan developed chemistry w/ Blake Griffin, but no offensive game outside of running, dunking and blocking shots, but has high potential at 23 years old. Who will the Rockets add on the Perimeter? Market drying up quickly, Butler gone, Prince gone, Josh Howard going wherever Nene is going, Battier gone, San Antonio more appealing at MLE for veterans. Still murky with regards to amnesty cuts. Lowry, Lee and Budinger have to step up, front office seems willing to give them the reins to get Gasol. Even if the Rockets get Gasol, front office not done doing deals, most aggressive in the league, have called virtually every other team trying to make a deal, willing to take guys w/o extensions.
To who though -- the Clippers? What team wants Pau Gasol (meaning ready to contend) and has a lottery pick to give up is the question. I'm not convinced Minnesota (the pick the Clippers have) will be that bad. T-Wolves and Kings, with some of their young talent, spring to mind. Sounds like if the Rockets got Gasol though, it would be to keep him.
I'm with with Pau. I just think we should get some other compensation in addition for what we're sending out. But, for the life of me, I don't know why New Orleans would want Martin & Scola. I'd understand if it was Lowry/Patterson/Morris or something, with maybe Thabeet to help equalize salaries. They might still be around for a rebuild. But, what do they plan to do with just Martin/Scola/Okafor/Ariza? You can't compete like that. It's just a slow death instead of a quick one.
and honestly, that would piss me off. that sounds like a super mediocre team to me. we traded mediocre for...you guessed it...mediocre. more 8th/9th seed fodder come draft time. ugh.
Twitter christomasson Source says Hornets thought they were very close to a deal to send Chris Paul to Lakers but then Lakers backed off. To be continued. hmm.. what could that mean
We should get something more than Pau from the Lakers if we are giving up everything to the New Orleans Hornets. For instance they should give up their 1st round picks instead of ours to New Orleans. We should get someone back from them too.
The Lakers wouldn't be coming to the Rockets if a team with younger players with more upside like Minny wanted Pau. I think Morey is going for it and the extra cap space we have from trading Martin is key to seeing his next piece.
If this falls apart it is going to leave a lot of Rocket players a little bit peeved.....reminds me of the Elie (no trade) years ago. DD
Howard makes more sense for the Lakers, CP3 needs to dominate the ball, and so does Kobe..... Howard however..... DD
Lakers backed off! The LAKERS! WE GET SCREWED AND THE LAKERS WERE THE ONE'S THAT BACKED OFF!!!!!! We must be missing something, the Lakers could easily put Odom in the lineup to replace Gasol. They must be sending another piece. It just doesn't add up.
The best scenario IMO is getting both Gasol's. Get Pau, and free up enough space to sign Marc to a huge deal. If getting Pau meant Getting Marc, I'd do it.
