The Rockets' Approach This Offseason Might Not Involve Using Cap Space

I think trying to discuss Rockets capspace at this point is simply very difficult. The reason being that they can add or subtract capspace at any given moment if necessary. Certain combination may net a certain result, while other combinations may net an incredibly different result.

Personally, assuming the Rockets are mostly blowing smoke in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, I think there's good reason for the team to maneuver itself into great cap situation next year. The reason is when the new nearly-hard-cap-style-luxury-tax rule come into place, there could be some casualties that may come into play. In fact, starting from next year, cap space becomes more valuable due to the much more strict luxury tax. And all this talk from Morey about fiscal responsibility may be more important than people realize.

Then again, the above is somewhat more about me just wanting the Rockets to do a little tanking. Trade Lowry for a lottery pick or resign Dragic if the number's not high(keep at least one). Let Lee go. Trade KMart at the deadline(or offseason) so he doesn't leave for nothing. Keep Dalembert in case he somewhat breaks out and gets a draft pick by deadline. And just roll out the youngsters: Morris, Motiejunas, our number 1 picks, Parsons, etc. And hope enough of our young guys develop enough to attract a star or two.

 

We had two all stars on our roster a couple of years ago, I dunno if you noticed but we didn't get out of the first round in like 7 tries, so all star level talent alone won't do squat. In fact, these two teams didn't get out of the first round this year, and I highly doubt they're gonna get better results moving forward.

Your comments about Rudy Gay, Z-Bo and J. Smith are really funny because those three won't return anything of value in the league. Who'll give up a top 5 pick for any of those guys, esp. Gay and ZBO who command max salaries? Would you give up a top 5 pick and gut your team just to get any of those guys? NO? LOL then why talk about how marketable those guys are, they're practically immovable. Horford is a good player but he's not a franchise guy, I don't see a big difference in caliber between him and the guys we have like Lowry and Dragic.

Portland trade is an exception, the Nets were desperate to retain D-Will and thought Wallace was good enough to get them to the playoffs, it not like there's a situation like that every year so don't use it as comparison.

 

at this point i have very little faith in our front office.

even the failed 'blockbuster' deal of last year was imo a dud. gasol & nene were already both aging and soft overpaid players who were not going to take us anywhere in the playoffs. and throwing in dragic, who is now looking like a top 10 pg in the making, was just added stupidity.

oldtimer lee is right - this franchise is going nowhere.

3 straight #14 draft picks and no playoff series wins since the days of EJ. les needs to sell this team.

 

Nene got traded for javale McGee that is all that needs to be said.

 

LOL - hindsight? Well, maybe for some, but it was foresight for me.

Gasol/Nene would have been a disaster and we would have been saddled with Nene's bloated contract as he declines faster than Steve Francis.

And we would have lost Dragic to boot.

This organizations talent evaluation has taken a serious U-turn, they need to get their heads out of the spread sheets and start figuring out who will REALLY be able to play and who can't.

DD

 

WRONG

It also needs to be said that Denver drafted a very similar potential stud in Faried who played the same position.

But who needs all the information? Lets just throw out a bunch of one line zingers that completeley ignore critical thinking and objective decision making.

 

Do you honestly think Faried will become as good as Nene in his prime?

Honestly?

DD

 

As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

I think he's a better player right now.

 

i made the same points here against the failed gasol trade + nene signing last year

my mistake about us beating portland in '09 - sorry

 

True, true - but in my case, I am just right way earlier than the average fan, and it leads to ridicule and then understanDDing.



DD

 

Didn't know Faried and Nene played the same position. Nene is very overrated and so is pau.

 

You misinterpet the post Bima, it is not about me getting credit etc, well all of it isn't anyway.

The point about Dragic (and you are correct, I was not on board until he emerged) was that the organization FAILED to notice his abilities until Lowry got hurt.

And it is THEIR JOB to recognize that talent and to nurture it accordingly.

I see a pattern here, they overvalue role playing production and miss out on some talent that should be playing like Dragic and Lin for example...

What I want is an organization that can IDENTIFY those players from practice and scrimmaging and find ways to let them grow, instead of sticking by old standby type of players which are "OK" but never going to be a break out star.

While I never liked the Nene deal - think he is vastly overated - I did like the Gasol portion (still do).

My point, is I have zero confidence in the front office to put together a competent roster.

I mean $55 million for Nene....are you kidding me? We would be saddled with that bloated guys contract for 4 more years....and honeslty, Morey should be kissing Stern's ass, because that would have cost him his job.

DD

 

Yeah, they would have been uber effective with Nene on the bench injured all year.



DD

 

Yes people do forget that. Frequently. And I have become so beat down posting on this site that I do not even bother to point out such insignificant errors. Sigh.

 

Congrats. Now you just to make, I don't know, a thousand straight correct predictions before people stop talking about the DD curse whenever you speak of a Rockets player.

 

Bima,

since we are discussing cap space, etc., my next question is.....

Since Pau Gasol has a trade kicker, what portion of that trade kicker applies to a trade done before June 30th? It's my understanding that the trade kicker is prorated throughout the season. Obviously his 2012-13 and 2013-14 salaries would include a 15% raise. Since the team he is traded to has to absorb that trade kicker in salary, then what $ value is assigned to that trade kicker for the 2011-12 season if the trade is made on June 30th?

By the way

I really think we should have one stickied thread for all salary cap questions and fascinations. Basically the same thing as the Random trade thread. All questions and dialogue put in that stickied thread.

 

And do you disagree that Gasol and anyone would have been a huge upgrade? Nene was just speculation. Nothing more. And not even speculation by the Rockets FO. If you say otherwise you need to back it up with facts. Not posts from outside the organization.