Well, one big difference is that Turkoglu is basically worthless. He's a high-volume, low-percentage chucker that hasn't scored above 15 PPG or had a PER above 13.5 in the last five years. Meanwhile, Gasol is still one of the top five or so big men in the game and isn't showing any obvious signs of decline. Apples and oranges, other than contracts. The other issue is that I expect the Rockets to have a clear strategy in two years, and whichever the direction, I don't expect cap room to be that important. The ideal, of course, is to trade for Gasol now, sign a Deron or Dwight type over the summer (or acquire a star via trade), and have a contender. If that doesn't work, I think you'll see the team gutted with a complete rebuild. In that case, the emphasis will be on draft picks, and it's fairly unlikely that any star of significance would sign here until a couple of years later, when said draft picks are hopefully panning out and the team is on the rise. Cap room for this summer is a big deal, but by the 2013 trade deadline... I think the Rockets will either be a true contender (capped out) or in full-fledged tank mode (vets not interested). Whichever it is, the cap situation won't be as critical as it is this year.
I'd always heard 'people dont plan to fail, they fail to plan.'... Obviously, thats not the case with your scenario... its a full on expectation of failure... the only way salary cap wouldnt matter 2 years from now is if we've allowed any talent to walk and we're relegated to bottom feeders.... otherwise, there's no scenario whereby shellin out a THIRD of our total cap to a 33 year old (and have to assume vastly diminishing) Gasol wouldnt be an issue... The BEST we could hope for is a decrepid Gasol, with MLE level starters and 2nd rd and undrafted FAs for a bench....
The thing that most people are missing is that Gasol IS a strategy. You get the most versatile 7 footer in the league, and you build around him! Here's a genuine center who brings it at both ends of the floor AND has the agility and knowledge to play power forward if required. If we had Gasol and Dalembert in the frontcourt we'd start to see how good Lowry and Lee are defensively!
While he is clearly better than Scola or Martin alone right atm... but not by far....... and clearly not better than Martin in his Adelman heydays......we do not have much money left.... this is key I'd rather take a look at Dmo first.... and develop him..... I don't think we are in any hurry to do some trades..... Screw Alexander's short term plans! Off to the future I say!
He is to an extent. I definitely agree that Lowry, Lee, Budinger, Gasol and Dalembert is a second-round team, minimum. Gasol alone makes you a lot better. But I don't think he makes this group a title contender. That said, it's OK - I think the Rockets (with the lineup you described) suddenly become a LOT more desirable to marquee stars, and you have a better chance of landing another impact player to make you a true contender. That's what I think would ultimately happen.
marc is better, paul is too freaking oldddddd his playing horrible this year due to his age. We should just play with what we got now. We actually winning. So someone please stop this trade.
I really hope the trade goes through. People on here always overvalue and fall in love with our players. I also hope there's an Eat Crow thread once Pau comes here and shuts his doubters up.
If Pau is playing "horrible", what does it say about Marc that Pau is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than him, all on a higher field-goal and free-throw percentage and with fewer turnovers?
