Feigen: After landing Lin, Rockets owner Alexander hopes for one more marquee move

Things could get interesting Friday because we might just be waiting to sign Asik to the offer sheet. No matter what deal that would go down, it would be unlikely we could sign Asik afterwards. We might just need the cap hold for him to give a deal a green light. Of course this is all pure speculation.

 

Fact-hugger.

 

I think you bring up a solid point. I also get the feeling that once the Asik situation is completed, I think you will see more deals taking place along with Howard's drama scene in Orlando. I get the feeling that many are keeping their eyes open on what's going on with Howard.

My major concern is Morey tying up capspace where he can't make any moves come 2013. I trust Morey on many fronts and I'm certain he's paying attention to this aspect as well. Morey always has a plan whether we agree on it is another thing.

Hopefully by next week, we can start to see these dominoes fall into place.

 

My assumption is that if Lee had found anybody willing to pay what he wanted, he would have signed there by now.

Lee is a nice player, but not so good that he is irreplacable and the Rockets aren't so awesome that he'd pass up a good deal elsewhere to wait on the posibility of a Houston deal.

 

Once we sign Asik, then we can immediately sign Lee, because we won't need cap space to make the Dwight trade. The combination of Martin, Patterson, Morris, and a bunch of non-guaranteed contracts, combined with the 150% rule, should be enough to absord the salaries of Dwight and some of Orlando's bad contracts.

 

Anyone know how large Lee's cap hold is?

 

This just reeks leverage. This was solely said to push the Magic into their breaking point where they say "We'll take what you want to give". My guess, the Rockets gets the Asik deal out of way on Monday, and on Tuesday/Wednesday we give our final offer, then we sign Lee.

Lin/Machado
Lee/Richardson
Parsons/White
Motiejunas/Patterson
Howard/Asik

 

dwight's salary would be 125%. 150% is for up to $9-12M and with cap space.

 

My guess/hope is that we aren't open to trading either D-Mo, Lee or Parsons and that's why Orlando is trying to get us to up the offer. I'm not seeing any deal that beats the Toronto pick and taking bad multiple contracts. I just don't see why Morey would have to include either of those 3 in a deal now. If anything, I think Les's recent comments is shooting the middle finger to Orlando, and telling them "we are keeping these young guys so what ya wanna do?".

 

Checking out a couple of recent players who were traded before they became free agents should give an indication of what Orlando should expect in Return for Dwight.

Chris Paul = Eric Gordon (expiring), Chris Kaman (expiring), Al-Farouq Aminu (2nd year) and a first-round draft choice.

Melo = Danilo Gallinari (3rd year rookie contract), Raymond Felton ($7M salary traded at end of season), Timofey Mozgov (rookie), Wilson Chandler (expiring), Kosta Koufos, second round picks in 2012 and 2013 and a first round pick in 2014.*
*Denver sent out Anthony Carter (expiring), Chauncey Billups (team option), Renaldo Balkman (waived) and Shelden Williams (expiring).

It appears that the going price for these types of players is a first-rounder, maybe a few second-rounders and a buch of cap filler. Neither of the teams took back crippling contracts and Gallinari is the only significant player of note, but certainly not a centerpiece.

I bet Morey offers to take the contracts back that don't hurt long-term like Redick and QRich, Toronto Pick, second-round picks along with Martin and filler. That appears to be all Howard is worth. He could also go after another expiring like Josh Smith with a similar deal. No need to include more than one rookie, if any. The real value is in the draft picks, especially one like Toronto's.

 

that's what i was thinking as well

 

We don't know what we CAN offer until Asik is matched/not matched.

 

I think that's an excellent point. I wouldn't be surprised if Alexander and Morey discussed how Alexander would handle talking about the 3 rookies and their play in summer league. That SL opened their eyes to just how good their picks were, and that perhaps getting Howard wasn't as important as they thought. Yeah, turning the screws on Orlando.

 

agree^^

 

Exactly, what are half of you guys talking about?? Howard on this team beats all the rookies put together ....come on people they are ROOKIES!! HAVEN'T PLAYED ONE GAME OF OFFICIAL NBA MINUTES ....

 

Another angle is he's hedging his sell for next season on both youth movement and dwight/bynum deal.

No tv money from Fox this coming season. They need something to sell as the Rockets are launching their own cable channel. If that fails, it's like a double hit on the books, when taking into account the money to launch it.

 

I understand that alot of you are DYING to get a franchise player here but im honestly a little sick of hearing about Dwight...he doesnt want to play here...hes not going to resign...do we really wanna go through the nightmare that Orlando is currently going through...for those of you who are convinced he will resign....well even if he did how do we know a 2 years later he wants out cause that giant child isnt happy again...i admit he is great player...but he comes with a lot of baggage and honestly Phil Jackson is probably the only coach that could keep him in check...Can tell you right now Mchale isnt going to....Weve got a young and exciting team to watch...a ton of talent that we need to let progress...for all we know Jeremy Lamb could be the next big talent...Not to mention we have a nice draft pick coming from Toronto that could be a 4th overall (westbrook, CP3, Bosh all 4th overall)...could end up being our franchise player of the future...that is all, just blown away so many of you are ready to mortgage our future on a giant child that cant make up his mind on anything and puts his franchise into shambles because he cant make decisions....Lets get excited about our guys and support our new look team...

 

If we trade for Dwight they can choose between Parsons/Lamb but not both.

 

damn, wow now we are doomed. les is just going to get us our 4th 14th pick in a row. he doesnt care about dwight or any other star anymore. he just wants to roll with this team and he thinks our rookies will take us to the promised land before trading them 2 years later.

 

Good point all around. I think what people sometimes confuse is Dwight Howard's real worth vs. his actual worth on the open market. You think Dwight, top 5 player, should get a lot of great players/picks...but the reality is the demand for him is incredibly LOW in part because of his injury, and statements about only signing with Brooklyn long-term. Bottom line, Houston is the only real contender or fascilitator...

Houston has the leverage and doesn't have to outbid itself. It sucks for Orlando but the best deal on the table is what Morey was rumored to have offered in the beginning: Martin, Raptor Pick, 1 asset/rookie (maybe patterson, morris, or jones for example), and taking back 1 bad contract. CLE can't offer that, Lakers sure as hell can't, and Nets are out. So whatcha gonna do Henny?