Thanks Bima. Yeah I was just throwing out a random large contract number, and a random suitor, but good info to keep in mind.
Honestly I rather have Melo than Love but however you get a star player you get them. Rondo or Lowry/Milsap would be a better fit for the Rockets but that might be a long shot. But it does solve defense and actually elevates the offense.
Here's how the conversation needs to go down: Daryl: Besides James Harden and Dwight Howard, what do you need to make this happen? Flip: [Says anything] Daryl: Deal.
Parsons likely will be a goner if the rockets want to get Love. That is too bad for lots of the rockets fans, but the rockets have to give up something to get something.
Love offense will offset LMA production on offense. He would also make LMA work defensively. Plus pulling him out the paint to guard his three point shooting would open up the lanes for Harden to attack the rim. Our PnR would be deadly as well. What we do need is a defensive minded assistant coach. Parsons also didn't play good defense either.
Hawks and Horford have made it clear they want Al to play PF going forward to save him from getting beat up by larger centers night in/out. Millsap while clearly a great talent isn't likely in their ling-term plans since he was only signed to a two-year deal and he plays Horford's preferred position. Asik (+something) figures to be a reasonable trade for Millsap's services. We get a need filled and they get a need filled. On a personal note, I like Millsap as a player but I wonder if he will have the same problems that T Jones has being a smaller PF. Obviously Millsap is stronger but guys like Dirk, Aldridge, Duncan can still shoot over him all day.
I'd rather have Love if he commits here because of his age, and his smaller contract, and the possibility of turning a trade for him into a bigger deal for him and other players. For instance, Larry Sanders. If Milwaukee wants to dump him, Sanders would be ideal here as the 3rd big behind Love and Dwight. We could acquire Sanders and Love by sending Lin to Milwaukee (if they want out of Sanders contract) and turning Asik/Jones/DMo/picks into Love. That's one possibility. There are many others including taking back Martin and/or Chase along with Love.
The thinking with Minny taking on Dwill is that Minny is NOT a FA destination. Like Utah. They have to work harder to get stars. Yes Dwill is down right now, but he might come back. The fact he IS under contract for a number of years is good for Minny as they have someone they can build with. And then you add the Rockets asset package of players & picks. Minny can be choosey with Love destinations, but not TOO choosey. I feel any Rockets deal to get Love has to be a 3-way deal. Maybe instead of BKN they get ATL involved with Milsap. I just like using BKN because they will gladly pay the Asik/Lin contracts. I was trying to come up with a way to get Love AND keep Parsons.
Fair enough, I just feel as though we need defense above anything. Love would help stretch the floor and rebound. He has a minimum post game and no defense whatsoever. I'm for acquiring whatever star you can get. But if it came down to Love or Melo as a choice I would go with Melo (especially if we could keep Parsons). I feel he is more of a mismatch for other teams to gameplan to stop. Like I said the post before my ideal targets would be Rondo and Milsap but I dont think that's possible
The other side of that coin is Flip probably doesn't want the headache of forking over $60 million for mediocrity. Right now, DWill's reputation is in the crapper after he dumped all over Utah and now he's stinking it up in Brooklyn. If he goes to a non-contender...what will he do? I wouldn't trade for the guy myself and that would be a double no-no if I were trying to rebuild. I don't trust his basketball character to give the team everything.
Totally agree. The acquisition of Love necessitates the acquisition of a 3rd big that plays big time defense. That's why I suggested (just suggested) the possibility of acquiring Larry Sanders simultaneously to acquiring Love.
1A. Put together a package for Melo. 1B. Trade Harden for Love. 2. Keep Parsons. 3. Plan Championship Parade. :grin:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10949807/kevin-love-tells-minnesota-timberwolves-sign-extension-likes-chicago-bulls-golden-state-warriors Houston doesn't even get a mention in this article...
Sanders costs too much at $11M per for the next 4 years. I agree with your way of thinking though. Anderson Varajeo would be good in that 3rd big role. He can play next to Dwight or Love depending on match-ups/foul trouble and is another great half court passer. It remains to be seen what Cleveland plans to do with him as they have a team option worth $9.5 million for the '14-'15 season. If they decline the team option he could be a good guy to target with a portion of the MLE.
You do realize that it is a combination trade--that only makes sense if we get Melo for Asik, Lin and T-Jones. If we can't get Melo--then we would not trade Harden. So, its Harden, Asik , Lin & T-Jones for Love AND Melo That how it needs to be looked at--not just Harden for Love.
