18 Men Enter, 15 Men Leave

It's actually Chandler "Mad Chicken" Parsons

 

Livingston's solid, and i don't think that preseason even matters in this case. He's been a solid backup for several last years, he doesn't have to prove anything.

But cutting him saves 2.5 mil and probably adds a couple valuable losses.
In the end, it will depend on how badly the Rockets want to tank and save some cash. I'd cut him.

 

Don't be surprised if Livingston makes the team but then is later waived sometime before January 8 (the last day to waive a player before all NBA salaries become fully guaranteed) if the Rockets cannot use him in trades. Most/all of that $2.5 million would still be opened up at that point, well in advance of the February trade deadline.

If Livingston makes the team, December 17 becomes an interesting date for the Rockets. If my thinking is correct (and it may be wrong), that will be the first date on which Livingston will have earned more than the $1 million portion of his salary that is guaranteed, at which point that $2.5 million in non-guaranteed salary owed to Livingston would begin to diminish. Livingston will have earned about $1.5 million or so by the time January 8 rolls around, so that would be about $500k in additional cap space taken up between December 16 and January 8.

 

I hope it's between Forbes and Livingston for the last cut. We really don't need more veteran's who maybe maginally better right now to help us win a couple more games.

 

That's exactly what they want though.

 

cant we send machado to the vipers and still own his rights or something?!

 

Yes, but he would count against the 15 still.

 

You not ignore the value of height. Therefore, keep JJJ and cut Machado, Brockman, and Forbes. Let McHale coach JJJ to be a good player.

 

fixed!
You can not ignore the value of height. Therefore, keep JJJ and cut Machado, Brockman, and Forbes. Let McHale coach JJJ to be a good player.

 

Is that you JaJuan?

 

Surprised that JJJ has rode the pine so much. He has to be on way out with Brockman and probably Smith. I don't see the point in Livingstone making the team outside of just that he has a contract.

 

Here is my depth chart:

Code:

1: Lin                 Douglas/Livingston  Machado
2: Martin              Delfino             Lamb
3: Parsons             Forbes              Morris
4: Pattterson          Jones               White
5: Asik                Smith               Motiejunas

Released: Brockman, Johnson, Douglas/Livingston

Inactive / D League: Machado, White, Motiejunas

McHale will likely use a 8-10 man rotation, leaving 2 players active but not playing regularly. Using this logic, the inactive candidates should be developing players who might see some time in the D League. If you look at the 1, there are four players but only two rotation spots. The battle for the backup 1 is between Douglas and Livingston. I think the loser of the battle will likely be released and the third string 1 will go to Machado who will sent to the D League.

The two active non-rotation players will then be Morris and Lamb. They should see time in blowouts.

I am not that high on Forbes. If Morris wins the backup 3 spot, I would not be surprised if Morey jettisons Forbes and signs a D League stash player.

Smith has earned his spot. He may only get PT in blowouts or when the Rockets go up against top centers (like Howard).

 

Ackerman or Friedman said that it might be Forbes yesterday that is the last guy cut with Johnson and Brockman. I've heard a lot of good things about Morris this year. He may be the second wing off the bench behind Delfino.

 

JaJuan Johnson only played 6 total pre-season minutes. How can he showcase his skills in 6 minutes? 3 rebounds and 4 points in 6 minutes ain't that bad.

 

Guessing that JJJ has not shown much in practice.

 

He said before be traded that he didnt want to come to Houston.

(Nobody wants)

But changed his mind.

That is the problem when u have a big mouth and talk to much.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't want to come to Houston either if I were in his position in Boston. One of the greatest players of all time (Garnett) saw something in JaJaun, and took him under his wing and mentored him. To go from a title contender and being personally tutored by KG, to a lotto team with 0 minutes. I don't blame him.

 

Toney Douglas showed that he's the solid backup now. The last season is gone. Houston seems to suit him.

Livingston looks like he should be the second backup PG.

 

I agree with this. Douglas has shown me less than Machado, personally.