You also have to realize that some of these teams are also trying to put people in these half-empty arenas. Which is why you might see teams holdout for Williams, Nash, Lin, and Dragic. So, Lowry may not be a first or second option.
Don't think Dragic will draw in people. If teams holdout for the other three, there's going to be around 4 or 5 teams that end up with nothing. They'll have a choice between a washed up Jameer Nelson, trying to get calderon (assuming the raptors don't keep him) and trading for Lowry.
This was easy to call. Can the rockets offer more years to dragic than other teams? I don't see why he's not restricted, wasn't he under his previous contract for three years?
Actually, it was the opposite of that. The Rockets had a TEAM OPTION that they DID EXERCISE prior to the lockout beginning, bringing Dragic back for a fourth season on his contract at $2,108,000, a bargain for an above-average backup PG. Had they declined the option, Dragic would have been a restricted free agent last December. Sorry that the Rockets were not clairvoyant enough to know that (1) Lowry would get a bacterial infection that would cause him to miss extended time and (2) Dragic would play out of his mind for the last 25 games of this season. Yes, I get the whole line about "It's the Rockets' JOB to know when a player is going to break out before he does." I find that to be a weak counter-argument, especially when you factor in (A) they already had Lowry entrenched as the starting PG, (B) they had just taken a flyer on Jonny Flynn, (C) they were DESPERATE for a center, and (D) they would have had to choose between a re-signed Dragic or a guy like Dalembert, it's pretty simple that the Rockets made the more prudent calculation in picking up Dragic's team option. Feel free to have a different opinion. But to call out the Rockets' front office for picking up Dragic's option last year as some sort of unforgivable mistake is both ludicrous and weak.
Don't know, but it would be great if the media would ask him - hard to speculate about what they were thinking. DD
Dragic for too much $ makes sense to me assuming Lowry brings a good return. BTW - if Lowry returns a #5, 6, 7 draft pick then the Rox also get a TE that could prove to be of value. Does Zoran have any value to Goran's decision and/or to the Rox?
Still doesn't explain anything, because the Rockets recent history has been to decline the option and let them become restricted - and then they have all the power. By doing it the way they did it, they lose their leverage, which is something Morey has not made a habit of doing. What I believe it shows, is that the Rockets did not value him all that much and as such were comfortable to let him become an UFA. In other words, they failed to see how good he was or what he would become. DD
It is maddening that prudency gets higher call than keeping talent. Shouldn't fans just want the team to put the best possible team on the floor? Who gives a crap if Le$ has to pay luxury tax as long as the team is winning. I understand doing the calculations and getting the cap is a big part of Morey's job, but dang it, do that AFTER you figure out who is the most talented. DD
DD, name me one time this Rockets front office has declined a team option in order to make a player a restricted free agent. (Other than a fringe player making the league minimum, to which I assume you are not referring.) One time. Please.
As of the time of that decision, he had failed to show how good he was, or what he would become. Too bad the Rockets don't have any precogs working for them.
Not a contract expert but if the Rockets declined the option last season, I think a couple of things could have happened. 1. Goran and Rockets failed to sign extension, so he would have signed 1 year tender and it would be the same situation we are in now. With some added hostility. 2. Rockets and Goran reach a contract agreement. Doubtful because Goran has felt he can start and the Rockets probably had him pegged as a backup PG at the time and weren't getting close to offering $6million per bc that's what they were paying Lowry. And a few other options. These options were discussed with Goran and his agent. And I'm positive both sides figured it was best to play last season out under the contract.
Correct. There was very little chance that the Rockets and Dragic would have agreed on a reasonable long-term contract--in other words, the thing for which all the "Rockets shoulda played this differently" crowd was hoping--under this scenario. Again, keep in mind that this was a decision that HAD to be made no later than June 30, 2011. Anyone saying that they were in favor of playing the "Let's turn down Goran's cheap team option and make him a restricted free agent so we can lock him up long-term before he breaks out as a star" card at that time is either lying to you or . . . well, there's no other option. They are lying to you.
I don't think there was ever any long term plans for Goran being that he was part of the origional Gasol trade.
