David West was cheap because he was coming off knee surgery. But for arguments sake, if West is 1m cheaper than Millsap, wouldn't you prefer Millsap anyway?
David West would definitely be a good third piece if we sign another superstar. We shouldn't sign him without one though because it would kill our cap space coming into the next year.
Wrote this a while back: Considering the roster, salary position, and what players are actually— or presumably— available, I think Morey is going to surprise us again this summer. Here, IMO, are the most glaring needs going into next year (2013-2014) and some realistic types of moves we could be making. Guaranteed (G) players and team-optioned, or non-guaranteed, contracts (Option amount*- % likelihood of retaining rights- % being on 13-14 active roster, IMO) for next season, based on current active roster: *If player has option, 13-14 salary will be listed PG: Lin (G- 85-%), Beverley ($788,872- 85%), Brooks ($2,500,000- 20%) SG: Harden (G- 100%), Anderson ($916,099- 30%), Garcia ($6,400,000- 10%) SF: Parsons ($926,500- 90%), Delfino ($3,000,000- 50%) PF: Motiejunas (G- 80%), Robinson (G- 75%), Jones (G- 50%) C: Asik (G- 80%), Smith ($884,293- 50%), Ohlbrecht ($788,872- 30%) Note: Tyler Honeycutt has a team-option for ~$900,000. Royce White is guaranteed for ~$1,700,000. Also: Though a player's option may be picked-up (first %), I am also indicating (second %) the odds of them remaining on active roster to start 2013, as oppose to traded or waived. The projected salary cap for the 2013-2014 season will be about $60 mil. and, as it stands, the Rockets will have nearly $40 mil. guaranteed on the payroll and that number will increase to ~$46 mil. if Houston guarantees Parsons, Delfino, and any two of Smith, Beverley, and Anderson. Now the question remains: what do the Rockets do with all that spare change?... ...The most realist off-season scenarios (IMO): Type of move number one: Acquire a veteran star via free agency The bold and audacious will suggest offering ~$12-$20 mil., annually, to Howard or J. Smith for a chance to play with Harden & Co.; however, bringing in a player for ~$14-$18 mil over two years would fit nicely into how how our salary situation looks. This player would be a sort of "filler"; not in the sense of a mere role-player, but a "filler" as in a good-to-great player to fill a spot until a star— as Morey states, from "within the organization"— is born. Potential Target: David West, PF, Indiana Pacers West is not young, but he's also not on his last leg— yet. He is a 9-year vet coming off a $10 mil. year, that he is certainly proving to be worth. The 6-8, 250 lb. forward is averaging 17/8 per clip and could produce at a similar level for another two years. With the recent trades of Patterson and Morris, Morey has effectively removed the stretch-4 from McHale's repertoire. However, West would provide an interior and mid-range presence that would compliment Asik's low-post game nicely. I believe West could be the perfect "filler" at PF for a front-loaded contract (2-year, $15 mil.) that would allow enough flexibility to potentially target a max player in 14-15. Further, by offering a two year deal, the Rockets will be able to see who pans out as the heir-apparent to the PF position, as I can only imagine one— Robinson, Motiejunas, or Jones— actually signing a second contract with the Rockets, as they will all be facing their first team-options. Type of move number two: Build up the bench This is a lot easier said than done. If the Rockets sign a player comparable to West (salary-wise), then the team will have between ~$3-8 mil. to spread around, depending on if Delfino and others (Smith, Beverley, Anderson, Ohlbrecht) are kept on or are casualties. There are very formidable veterans and bundle young talent available this summer to suggest that the Rockets could essentially scramble their bench, unless of course they choose to stick with what they currently have. If not, there are a couple names that pop into mind: Potential Target(s): Tony Allen, G, Memphis Grizzlies; Al-Farouq Aminu, SF, New Orleans Pelicans; Kyle Korver, SF, Atlanta Hawks; Earl Clark, F, LA Lakers; Randy Foye, PG, Utah Jazz In an ideal world, the Rockets could bring in two of these players for a combined ~$8 mil./year. However, to sign two key bench players, along with a star (see above), Houston would almost certainly have to part ways with Delfino. I just threw out the type of contracts that I can envision the Rockets finding attractive: Foye could be had for Houston's "Room" exception ($2.5 mil.) and would provide depth at point, thus making Beverley more expendable if need be (or, you could commit to Beverley as the back-up PG for <$1 mil.); Allen would command around $6-7 mil over two years but would provide the backcourt defense that is vital in tight games; Aminu and Clark are each rising talents who will both likely make ~$4-5 mil./year, each will also want a mid-length contract. I would have no problem with carving out $15 mil. for Aminu over the next three years, especially with Parsons coming up for big money. However, this begs the question: why not just extend Parsons (which I am in favor of up to $8 mil/year)? Personally, I doubt that we land Howard, Smith, Bynum or any "marque" free agents this summer. Perhaps Morey will decide to ship Jones, or any other assets, for a first round pick and sit on it. Who knows? In 18 months Houston could finally see the moment where Morey plays the big-hand— maybe a S&T involving any/all of Motiejunas, Robinson, Parsons, and any picks that we acquire between now and then, for someone huge... *seriously not trolling* To some all of this up, I believe that if Houston sees a line-up, similar to below, for the 2013-2014 season, then this team will have few worries for the next 2-3 years: 13-14 Line-up: PG: Lin/Beverley/FA SG: Harden/Allen (or similar) SF: Parsons/Delfino PF: West (or similar)/Robinson or Motiejunas C: Asik/Motiejunas or Smith 14-15 Line-up (after the wishful-thinking/mega-bullish S&T): PG: Lin/FA/Beverley SG: Harden/Allen (or similar) SF: LeBron/FA PF: West/Motiejunas C: Asik/FA Mind you, this whole post was hypothetical and is supported by only a few hours of salary/CBA research— so try not to grill. Thoughts?
I love David West. I don't think he comes cheap though. I don't think he fits our budget unless he's the only acquisition. I guess if you were to replace the "sign Josh Smith, trade for Dwight" concept with "sign David West, trade for Dwight" it would be workable but I think the Pacers will pay the man, so we'd have to overpay.
I would assume he'll resign in Pacerland for 8-figures and multiple years. He would be a great teammate, always has been. It just won't be here. BTW - - he's an easy guy to root for.
absent what the extra $1 mil might mean wrt to adding other pieces, definitely. They're very similar players wrt to production. Millsap is 4.5 years younger. Of those 3 I'd go (1) Smith, (2) Millsap, (3) West. Though might pass on all of them if not getting another superstar.
wouldnt mind him. we need a reliable bench. Ours is already pretty good as far as our guards, but we desperately need a go defending big man bench. meaning we need not just a good 4 but a backup 4 that can hold their own on defense.
See, that's the thing. You do not make that move unless you already have another superstar in hand. A Smith/Millsap/West variation does nothing except makes us, at best, a 4-5 in the West. That's not winning any championships.
Haha, if you think that David West is going to leave starting money on the table (presumably just to stay in Indy) to come play in Houston off the bench, you're sorely mistaken.
Love David West but don't think Pacers will let him go nor does he fit into Morey's youth and growth scheme.
Solid contribution by the Nature Boy. Don't know Indys cap situation but cant see him leaving. Like him as a player tho.
Morey said they have a very short list of free agents they'll sign for more than one year guaranteed. I doubt West is on that list, but he might be. And West will want a multi year deal.
No one talks about him because he's not a free gent. Tht said, I completely agree that we should go after him next offseason. It's a good argument for the Paul, Dwight, or bust crowd. Why lock yourself into a second tier of FAs like Smith, Milsap, West or Al Jeff? If we don't get our superstar, we do nothing and we're still better next year. Then we're in great position to get a future superstar like Favors next offseason. But I just realized he's restricted so there's no point talking about him. He's the cornerstone building block of the franchise and they're not gonna let him go.
Agree. I think Utah is going to have a hard time paying Favors, Jefferson, Millsap and Kanter. Someone is going to get paid that they just can't afford to pay a bench player that much. Because of that, they may have to let Jefferson walk for nothing. I just can't see them paying @25-30m for Jefferson and Millsap to keep them as the core and then pony up another @25m to bring Kanter and Favors off the bench while having a huge hole in e back court. Kind of like Harden's scenario...someone's got to go and I'd love it if it were Favors. As a side note, i haven't been a big Jefferson fan but he might find himself as the odd man out this offseason. Makes/wants too much for most teams to sign and those with cash are saving for a bigger fish next year. He might have to take a 1 year contract for decent money and then be someone's consolation prize next year for a team that strikes out in 2014. If he'd take a 1 year deal, I'd take him While he and Asik would clog the lane, he'd give us a legit PF starter and backup C. See what happens in 13/14 and then go all out for 2014 FA.
