and because Danny Ainge is going to come out and say. Yea, we were so ready to give up Rondo but the Rockets wouldn't give up the Model.
Not so fast..... In today's radio interview, Parsons said he spoke with Morey personally and Morey told him he wasn't going anywhere. Parsons said he's that comfortable with Daryl, so he can just go and ask him what's going on. Parsons also said it was good to know another team wanted him and the Rockets weren't willing to give him up. So, don't you all think, if what Ainge is saying is true, wouldn't Morey have felt it was necessary to tell Chandler that it was all untrue? If you're trying to keep your #3 guy calm at the deadline, you wouldn't just tell him, "oh they want you, but we're not trading you." You tell him it's all rumors and there's absolutely nothing to it, assuming that's the truth. Yet, that's not what Chandler said. I also seriously doubt Parsons didn't specifically ask Morey about Boston and Rondo, since CP feels so comfortable communicating with him.
I'm sure there were a ton of teams making inquiries about Parsons. Is it possible that Parsons was speaking in general terms when saying that it is flattering and humbling that other teams want him?
I doubt it. IIRC, he pretty much described rondo, if he didnt actually say his name in the interview. I also think he said "team" not "teams"...i never got the impression he was speaking in general.
Re rondo, I love him as a player, but I thought the potential negative consequences were just too high -
The TNT guys were talking about the asking price being Parsons plus 2 1st round picks. Presumably this also would have to include Lin or Asik for salary balance. Don't know how accurate their info is, but it sounds similar to what teams tend to demand for star players. To me, it seems that HOU just thought the overall price was too high at this point rather than any individual piece being untouchable. It would be great to get additional talent as soon as possible, but if you can get the same talent in the summer at a 25% lower price, it may make sense to wait, especially given that Rondo won't be 100% until next season anyway.
Morey made a smart decision on this one. But its one of the rare smart moves he's made since landing Dwight. He is now stuck with Lin and Asik and probably won't get anything meaningful for them before their contracts are up. He's also stuck with McHale which means building a championship system and maximizing players potential for a championship run will be delayed further.
Morey wants to be "stuck" with Asik. It seems all along he was deliberately dragging his feet, procrastinating, and secretly hoping for this very outcome. The team is only one or two minor pieces away, and he obviously doesn't want to break it up. He must have calculated that Asik will be sufficiently motivated to play for the playoffs, and that is all that is needed from him.
Morey will almost assuredly move Asik this off-season. I think he wanted to get draft picks for him attached with an expiring contract (same with Lin) but either he wasn't offered any or the package wasn't appealing enough to part with a guy that will drastically improve our chances of competing for a championship this season. He keeps bringing up this third star in interviews and we won't be able to get one without parting with both players. They'll be moved this off-season, but now wasn't a good time to mix up our rotation when just now we got everyone back healthy.
It was pretty obvious that they had discussions. Celtics are just denying it for obvious reasons. Hell, even Parsons talked about how the Rockets could have gotten Rondo at the deadline on his radio interview. Celtics aren't gonna act like they almost traded their best player, wouldn't be good for team morale.
Hmm, he obviously sees still a big gap with Oklahoma, who are young and under contract for the coming years. I guess a few minor to medium pieces aren't judged enough by him.
