I'm trying to figure out who are the free agent Euros that we could sign and bring over here. Don't see anybody that really sticks out that would really help us that would be tempted by whatever money of the $5 million prorated is left. And don't see that any of the guys that we own the rights to are in a position to really help us. Llull would be the only obvious choice and he is locked up and won't be walking here for that little dab of money. It would be a total win if he did and another total coup by Morey. Outside of the impossible Llull signing, who else is out there?
By "$5 million", if you mean the (non-taxpayer's) mid-level exception, that doesn't exist. Teams can not have cap space and most of the "exceptions" at the same time. If Rockets declines Francisco Garcia's team option (6.4M), waives Carlos Delfino before June 30 (3M, or it becomes fully guaranteed) and waives Tyler Honeycutt (100K guaranteed), that's about 18.3M, give or take, in cap space that Morey can spend. With DH12 being the main free agent target, there's probably only veteran's minimum available for the Rockets this summer. Of course there's always a chance DH12 (FINALLY) chooses to stay in LA. In that case, the Rockets may have some $, larger than minimum, to sign another player. It all depends on how the coming free agency pans out. I guess Morey would prefer to stay put for now.
I'm talking about the $5 million of cap space we have left this season. It is esentially a couple million in real dollars since the season is almost 2/3 over.
On another note, it look like we are going to sign Ohlbrecht at some point for the remainder of the season since he turned down a Celtic 10-day contract. That's the rumor going on twitter anyways and I think it is probably true. Ohlbrecht has played very well in RGV for the entire season. He's still young and he has significant post game. So even though we are loaded at PF, he makes a ton of sense, especially if we can get him signed to a multi-year deal at the minimum after front-loading him this year. We are most likely going to move TJones for a pick at some point. And we are going to be charged the minimum salary roster charge for any roster spots less than 12 that are unfilled when we hit the 2013 free agent season. Ohlbrecht is an ideal candidate to be signed to a Parsons style contract. He would essentially be a rookie in the NBA. Pay him the minimum. Won't hurt our free agency opportunities one penny. However, Ohlbrecht is not a true center. Doesn't give us what we need the most right now, which is a guy to spell Asik for 15 minutes a game and give us great paint D when Asik is taking a break. So, I think Morey could possibly cut Tyler Honecutt and still sign another 7-footer. Or he could go the other way and sign Shelvin Mack or Andrew Goudelock to a minimum contract deal too after cutting Honeycutt.
Saw him at BJs in Sugarland yesterday. Whatching replays of himself in past all star games...awkward...
Because we are talking about the Rockets' actual cap space (as opposed to a salary cap exception), there is no proration necessary. The Rockets have a full (approximately) $5 million they could offer a player, even if just to play for them for 6 weeks! The Rockets actually did this last year with Greg Smith. Although it was the middle of the season, the Rockets were just enough below the cap to offer Smith a first-year salary equal to the ENTIRE rookie minimum salary. If not for that cap room, he'd only have been entitled to a prorated portion of that amount. However, if the Rockets want to sign someone to a multi-year deal starting at $5 million, the LEAST that player could make in 2013-14 is $4,775,000 (contracts of outside free agents can only increase OR DECREASE by a maximum of 4.5% of the first year salary). Therefore, I doubt we see the Rockets sign anyone to a multi-year deal that is guaranteed beyond this season. Someone like Sergio Llull (or another player of that caliber) wouldn't accept only a one-year guarantee.
I think once you are 19, you are automatically eligible for the draft, even if you don't declare it. Shved was 23.
So... I think the Rockets can sign any player over 19, that doesn't have their rights owned by another NBA team.
Theres the guys like mcgrady and arenas returning from China. Not saying id want them, but they are a possibility after Morey said he might go after someone from an international team
No. Once you're 19, you are ALLOWED to declare for the draft. Players don't actually have to declare. Not until they are 22 (or so) do they become automatically eligible. Once they are automatically eligible and go undrafted, only THEN do they become free agents.
TMAC. Seriously, he's averaging like 25 points in China and his about to comeback. Also, imagine IVERSON backing up Jeremy Lin... gotta respect ex legends.
Heck, if Jason kidd and Grant Hill still plays, I wouldn't mind taking a risk on vets like Arenas, TMAC, Iverson. Absolutely nothing to lose, even 10 day contracts.
If we sign T-Mac. Oh god, this board would go ape ****. I mean if you think the LOF VS LOH battles are bad, imagine if we re-fire the old TOF VS TOH battles....
