Agree with Bima above. The mechanics of this thing is that there won't actually be a Rockets offer and a match, the three parties (HOU, MEM and Gasol) simply negotiate based on the POTENTIAL of such an offer. Either Gasol signs outright with MEM at 4/55 or slightly above or he tells them he REALLY wants to leave and force his way into HOU in a sign and trade.
How can you rebuild if your owner does not want to go that route? WTF...Morey has no other choices than to try to make the team better.
I didn't think we could even offer Gasol the max unless we amnesty someone. So, I'm not sure what Spears is reporting.
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2011/12/11/ZOOM0001MOV-1932105/index.html# They seem relief and happy i always support this team the GOOD or BAD!!!!
Noo.. Memphis is a division rival... Giving Gasol the max making Memphis match hurts them.. think about it.
Rockets were not rebuilding until 2009 or later. When Morey was hired, he was supposed to find a supporting cast for Tracy and Yao with limited resources. Attest, Scola, Brooks and Lowry etc were that supporting cast. They were better than expected and manages to be .500+ without the stars. So, the choice was to chase a star in a trade or free agency rather than blow it up (including trading the good younger guys like Lowry for nothing), get a draft pick and start from nothing again. It would have worked except for Stern's u precedented interference.
Just my opinion, but I think Gasol knows Randolph will be there long term, and his style of play takes away development and production from Gasol. I do think he wants out, and I think he thinks the Rockets would be a great situation for him. Folks keep saying he shouldn't get the max according to his stats ... Well I don't think he's satisfied with those stats either ... Knowing they wouldn't improve in Memphis playing alongside Randolph.
even if grizz match, it doens't change the fact that Marc still has to sign right? or does it mean that if they match, then Marc HAS to be with the GRIZZ next year?
So when Memphis does indeed match, can the Rockets (if they had the cap room for it) offer him more than the initial offer and wait for Memphis to match that? Or can we only match once?
*we* the rockets, can't match anyone. Memphis can match, because Gasol is a restricted free agent. Once they match - game over.
