The Rockets "currently" have a TPE from Asik worth $8.4 million and enough non-guaranteed contracts + Jones + Daniels to absorb $9.5 million. So, theoretically, they could get both through a sign and trade without sacrificing a first round pick. Pau is a poor fit, though. His defense is awful now and he's 34.
no they don't. The Rocket have an agreed-to trade of Asik for a draft pick. Hasn't been executed yet. can still morph into something greater.
The question with Pau isn't his defense, health, cost, etc. it should be whether or not the Rockets would want to consider having to change style of play to accommodate & fit. 2 years ago D'Antoni finally figured out, with about 7 games left in the season, that to run those two bigs together and maximize their skillset you needed to run more of a high/low corner offense. If you look back at those last couple weeks after Kobe got hurt, they actually played quite well together. D'Antoni was just about 3 months too slow to realize how to play them together effectively. The Rockets strength the past two years has relied on their ability to play their style. Lots of players can fit into the Rockets style easily at the PF spot, but Gasol might be the most risky... and that's before factoring in cost, age, health etc. So is it worth it to potentially sacrifice style of play to go after Gasol??? That should be the first question to ask yourself. 2nd would be, would Gasol want to play backup 5 if not? 3rd question should be cost/value of contract etc.
IMO, if Gasol is willing to come to the Rockets as a backup 5 at the MLE (after another star is acquired), I'm all for it. If Gasol is being brought in to be the starting PF & 3rd star, I'm very very nervous about making that acquisition. (I have to say though, Gasol is one of my fav. players of the last generation & have been wanting to see a great comeback year from Pau for sometime).
ESPN (Chris Broussard) is reporting that ESPN LA (Ramona Shelburne) and ESPN NY (Marc Stein) are reporting they are all reporting something regarding the Lakers and Knicks. sources: ESPN lol, they are all linking to each other's own reports and calling this journalism?
Again, why would Ariza want to sign here again AFTER we signed him a few years ago and traded him after one season? Think about it guys...
Parsons to Ariza is not that big of a drop off as people may think. Parsons brings better O through versatility but Ariza is a much better defender and as ideal a 3 and D SF next to Harden as can be. Use Parsons as trade chip to get another big fish, be it Love or Lowry.
My point was if you can get Ariza on the cheap, you go look to upgrade some other position of need which is PF and PG. Obviously Love is first choice but if you can't get him you look to upgrade PG and Lowry is the best out there available.
Yes, we can run for Lowry or Ariza, but still can keep Parsons. We can get Melo, but still are able to keep Parsons. Only if we can get Love, then Parsons is goner, that is sure.
Pau and Dwight didn't play too well together in L.A. I don't think a coaching genius like McHale can fix that.
bballhollic really putting his ass on the line here. If we get Love without Parsons he'll be a made man around here. If not, will forever get treated as the village idiot by some.