The Paul Pierce thing intrigues me. Would anyone consider trading Asik + Lin + Trob and anything else (White, etc.) for Pierce + filler if needed? I know Pierce is probably not worth 15.3 mil but for one year and a large expiring contract why not? I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that the team that trades for Pierce would just cut him for the savings but I could be wrong since that immediate space is enticing as well. Still, it's not like Pierce is a scrub now or something way past his prime. He has lost a step for years now but he is still an effective player. Not that the Lin and Asik contracts are bad but it does keep us from getting a 3rd star. Not saying Pierce is the answer but for at least one season he could be and then you use the cap space he provides after this season or trade him mid-season for a long term 3rd "star". Harden, Pierce, Parsons, Dwight would be pretty potent for at least one season. Maybe Pierce just doesn't have anything left but that team would be interesting. You could have Harden, Pierce and Parsons on the court together in multiple situations. You could also have Pierce come off the bench for 25-30 minutes a night and keep him fresh for the playoffs. To me, the combination of getting one last run at the championship with a seasoned vet like Pierce + the potential cap space one year earlier than the Asik/Lin contracts would allow, looks pretty enticing in my book. Maybe Pierce would consider signing for much less next season? Also, including Robinson in the deal would allow us to afford Dwight and make it that much more interesting to him if we can pull it off before July 1st. Anyways, just a scenario I have been thinking about but probably should have posted in the Trade Scenario thread.
Another thing to consider if they let Dwight walk: Andrew Wiggins. They could trade away Gasol & let the season go to a waste, reborn from the ashes like a phoenix in Wiggins, the eire to Kobe. And you know those ping pong balls will bounce in favor to the oh-so-unfortunate-Lakers.
No inside knowledge here.... Just pure speculation and opinions... 1. I think Harden is a better basketball player and option as a true championship-caliber building block than either CP3 or D12 at this point. 2. The Miami Heat exist. OKC will probably come back strong. SA will make another run at it (most likely). Dwight Howard HAS to win to redeem himself and his career at this point. D12 is lucky in the sense that he isn't that old. It is about the window.... Which is better CP3 (older and has fair share of injuries)+The Boston Geriatrics Vs. The overall youth of the Rockets. It will take a season to build true chemistry. That year is going to mean a overall negative on the abilities of Garnett and Pierce. 3. The media causes this rise and fall BS. Houston was the buzz team last week. Now all this LAC **** gets thrown against the wall and sticks. Howard will be absolutely hated and destroyed if he goes to LAC. The media raping will make this last season feel like a run to the NBA Finals.
No way anyone takes back Lin and Asik who are a combined 30+ mil in salary (Not cap hit) in 2013-2014. Lin isn't necessarily a cash cow, as NBA revenue is shared. Gonna be two separate deals or a three way to get them out of here.
Oh no! Metta has spoken, y'all. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>In an interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeMeltser">@MikeMeltser</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/PayneNFL">@PayneNFL</a>, Metta says about Dwight Howard: 'He's not going to Houston' <a href="http://t.co/0ZcANkA1Fd">http://t.co/0ZcANkA1Fd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RedNation&src=hash">#RedNation</a></p>— Howard Chen (@ho_chenCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ho_chenCSN/statuses/346727170607026177">June 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [rquoter]When asked about the Lakers center who is about to be a free agent, World Peace said, "Well, he's not going to Houston, I tell you that. "You know how those horses have those little things, ties in a bullfight, you tie those things to their b---- and they go crazy?" World Peace said. "I've got two of those tied to Dwight Howard's t--------, so he can't move." After massive laughter, Sportsradio 610's Mike Meltser asked, "So you think Dwight is definitely staying in LA?" "He can't move," World Peace answered. "If he does, it'll be painful. So he can't go nowhere."[/rquoter]
http://www.csnhouston.com/basketball-houston-rockets/talk/metta-dwight-hes-not-going-houston MWP really hates Houston, second time he has mentioned us.
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed Seems like they do for 2014, first round.
Whew, good thing this is coming from the guy who said LAL would have 70+ wins this past season. Now I know we're good!
Wow! This will definitely woo Dwight back to the Lakers. MWP and Kobe are doing us a service with their arrogance and idiotic comments. Thanks brehs.
Artest is a real piece of work, glad he's nuts or at least borderline so we know his words mean close to nothing. He's always disrespecting Houston but I'm sure in his heart he loved his time here, loves Yao and the city and maybe a little angry at Morey.
Angry for what? He's the one who went to look at Kobe in the showers after we lost to them. He got what he wanted.
Y'all should click the link and read the other half, Artest was just having some fun. I wish he could have stayed in Houston, but I don't blame him. Yao was injured, Dikembe was injured/retired, t-mac was t-mac, etc. I'll never forget him calling into the radio station pretending to be Luis Scola lol.
I see what you are saying but it would be 2014-2015 when both Asik and Lin's actual salary that the owner pays is about 15mil that final year. 2013-2014 it will only be about 5mil per which is pretty nice savings upfront for an owner. Yes, they will have to pay them 30mil in year 2 but only 10mil in year 1. I think some owners could see this is a benefit but would have to really like Lin and Asik as players or trade bait down the line.
Under the right circumstances...wouldn't any team do it? What do you mean by 'right circumstances'? lol
