List of Free agents available: Who should we sign?

CDR, Redd, Carney. That's about it for people who interest me on this list....

 

I forgot how God awful that sequence of events were. Woah.

 

Very helpful. Decisions can't be made on court performance alone. Reminds me of when the Rockets cut Lin in favor of Flynn, etc. (unless they really thought Flynn was better).

 

Surprised to see Okur, Diogu, Morrison on the list. I like Jerome Jordan too, saw him play with Lin on both NY and Reno. Chris Andersen has probably the most to offer and would be great for the Rockets on the court, but off the court might be a concern. Livingston still my top pick. Curious if anyone saw much of Okur, Diogu or Morrison last year or two.

 

CDR / Boykins / REdd

are upgrades over douglas / cook

 

We need a good PF and nothing else. We are set at every position. I say trade Patterson for a young big man (Possibly one from this draft) and then either sign a taller PF or see how Morris/Jones play at the 4. I really don't like Patterson's play but his defense is great. I think Morris should start and Patterson on the bench for this season. More points and good D off the bench. And while I'm at it does anyone know why the Rockets haven't considered Kenyon Martin?

 

Because the Rockets currently have THREE recent mid-first round draft picks at that position who already can't get off the bench.

I'm guessing the organization would much rather develop (and eventually play) that talent over bringing in another veteran to block any of that happening this season.

 

Turning that around, do you see us trading one or two of our many rookie 4's to shore up other positions?

Pat, White, Dmo and Jones all play the 4, and Smith, Morris and Parsons can also.

So we have 7 guys who can play that position.

 

The quantity of PFs is a by-product of going BPA in the draft. And it's not a strategy with which I disagree.

Do I wish the Rockets could have traded away 1-2 PFs for Harden instead of dealing Lamb? You betcha.

All that said, I think the Rockets will use a couple of those guys to potentially TRADE for that second star player. They could even be an enticement for a team to sign-and-trade a star they fear will walk otherwise.

 

And that is a long way from playing out!

 

For clarity, I am not complaining or pointing a finger here. I too believe in the BPA approach. But with that in mind, you do equalize things later as opportunity arises. So my thought was whether its foreseeable that we would basically swap a couple rooks at the 4 for a couple rooks at other positions (that have about the same value, thus still trade pieces) at some point in front of a major trade.

Do you really feel a trade is more probable than a FA signing regarding our next big piece? Or do you feel that all that cap space we are acquiring is to fill in the holes after a trade depletes our roster rather than for the MAN himself?

 

Yeah, I see a trade FOR A SUPERSTAR as more likely than a free agent signing. Howard and Paul are the only real superstars hitting free agency--and I'm sure the Rockets will make a play for them if possible--but they are both likely to re-sign with their current teams. Guys like Josh Smith, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson are very good players, but they're not superstars.

The cap space will be used primarily as a way to absorb that second superstar's salary (either via free agency or via trade) but could also be used to absorb a salary dump in a trade to acquire a lower-salaried star player. I doubt the Rockets spend much cap space on more role players unless they simply strike out in trades and free agency. (For new role players, think more along the lines of adding one or more draft pick rookies, including maybe a purchased pick, as well as one or two veterans on the cheap.)

 

I think those 6 guys (leaving out Parsons since he is better suited for SF) should just go all out against each other in practice and see how it pans out. If we ultimately keep the best 1 or 2, we should end up with something pretty good, perhaps a strong enough piece to be a championship cog. It is clear that all 6 have something to offer (at least Smith, who in my opinion is in the lead, with White, Jones, and Dmo having potential; also not yet sold on Pat or Morris but think they could develop if they work hard enough).

 

I agree with you...

1 there is a lot of talent and potential in this roster already...
2 there is also a team spirit, enthusiasm and they are playing with a zest!
3 we have a star and a superstar...

what more you need for a being a title contender?

4 chemistry and a certain time playing together...

Will it be a year two or 3 we will see...

 

in that case, we shouldnt stockpile all these 1st rd picks then... trade both of 'em for josh smith or millsap and include some picks and fillers.

 

What you are missing is that it is possible (if unlikely) that the next piece is going to come via trade. Cutting a guy like Douglas and bringing on a different player (Pietrus) would make it potentially more difficult to pull off that trade if the opportunity arises in season.