It sounds like a lot of what happens will depend upon whether the Lakers manage to keep Howard or not. If they re-sign Howard, then they will almost certainly look to dump Gasol's contract, in which case the Rockets make the perfect trading partner because they have the space to do so. And Morey more likely than not would prefer to do a deal without losing any key pieces, so that kind of straight swap would make sense. If they don't re-sign Howard, than Morey has shown an interest in him before and will most likely go hard after him. Assuming Howard does sign, then it's an open question as to whether the team keeps Asik or tries to have them play together with Howard as PF (not as ridiculous as it sounds).
howard and cp3 are pipe dreams. these guys are established superstars. harden was a fringe allstar when morey got him. stop acting like it wasnt a risk offering him a max contract. something nobody talks about is a good 6th man. i say we make redick an offer he cant refuse. i dont think he'd turn down more money just to be a starter. like manu, jack and jr smith, he's the kinda guy that you can play down the stretch. i think lin/redick/harden or harden/redick/parsons are potent combinations. for PF, im starting to buy that pau is perfect until love/LMA/bosh are available...
Most people who followed advanced stats knew that Harden was a superstar-level player for years. Many argued that he was the better choice to keep than Westbrook, based purely on production. The only risk was seeing whether he could maintain that level of production over the course of a full season, which is a risk with any player that isn't a starter or who hasn't been injured or who isn't new to the league. So really, it wasn't as much of a risk as you're making it out to be.
If LeBron does not win rings this and next year, he could change the team for 3rd time. I'm ok with developing our young talent and holding that cap space for couple of years to make us real contenders. Howard wont help us win rings, our GM is not that stupid to sign him this summer, or any other.
We don't have the assets to get Love or Aldrige. Love has two more years until he can opt out. Look at what Utah got to trade Deron Williams. Favors the #3 pick in 2010 that was highly regarded coming off his rookie season. They also got a lottery pick, the number #3 pick in 2011, which they used on Ener Kanter. Plus they got GS's pick in this years lottery. They had to take on Devin Harris but they actually were in need of a pg. Plus 3 million cash on top. You offer of Asik, TJ and a very likely late first is not nearly enough. Asik wouldn't be of much value since they would be basically going through a rebuild and he would be a FA before they are ready to complete again. They could flip him for a pick but most low lottery picks are nearly impossible to obtain. Best bet is they could get Portland's #10 pick for Asik. Jones is at most worth a low first rounder now 25-30ish. Would love to get Bledsoe and I think for this team is a much better fit than Lin. However I wouldn't want all the spare parts included with him in your trade.
- Bledsoe is slightly better than Beverly. You'll see him offensively challenged once he becomes the full time starter. - No team is so stupid to give up Love for Asik, particularly when they still have the best chance than anybody to sign Pekovic. - Asik and Pekovic on the same team, really?
I think it is very likely that we don't get both, or one of them. I know the Rockets will get an above average player this year, if not they will do it next year. Eventually, we will get another superstar down the road. All these trade scenarios will not work unless the player demands a trade, or the team is in financial crisis. No teams are going trade their superstar unless they can't signed them, or are forced to trade.
THIS!!!!!!!!!! Anybody who wants this guy hasn't really watched him. Would be a HUGE mistake to make him a Rocket.
So many teams have oodles of cap space this coming year, the only players worth getting will be these 2, because the rest of them are going to overpay a hell of a lot of players.
he wasnt a proven superstar, thus a risk. never said anything about him being super risky or whatever. the point is that, in order to sign a proven superstar, they have to want to come here. that's hard to do. every team promised lebron the world, but he chose miami. who honestly thinks howard or paul wants to come here vs stay in glam LA?
Kevin Love is a pipe dream, albeit a tantalizing one. The Wolves have changed management now, and I feel like Flip Saunders is going to do everything he can to keep him. They also have a very talented team who was overwrought with injuries this past season. They have a real shot at the playoffs next year. If we really miss out on the two biggest names in FA (very likely), I'd like to see us add Andre Iguodala for 4 years / 50ish million, and slide Parsons over to the 4. Small-ball is becoming increasingly more effective because of the lack of post up guys in the league, and Parsons would give us a PF that can hurt you in the triple threat position and keeps another play-maker on the floor. It would also upgrade our perimeter and transition defense, which are the two areas the team really needs to improve on.
