I think i saw somewhere (and I could be wrong) but I dont think you're allowed to use the TPE along with anything else. Like you cant couple it with Gee or another asset.
Really need to sticky this thread. Signing Stephenson is a must if Rockets are serious about contending this season. We can still salvage this offseason and salve the loss of Parsons by bringing in not only a better player but better fit, in Stephenson.
We would have one very tough & defensive rotation with Beverly, Howard, Stephenson, Adrien, Ariza, and Dorsey all in the mix to make up for Harden's weakness (if Dorsey gets PT)
It really is a shame. An upset player, with max contract ability, wanting 10m per, who would pretty much jump at the first offer he gets, and our team needing another playmaker, and needing veteran presence.... And we sign Jeff Adrien and some dude from Europe.
What would our line up be like now with Lance Stephenson? Will Ariza go to the bench even though were paying him 8 MIL? Will Harden be PG or will lance stevenson play Starting PG?
I'd be down, Stephenson is a better rebounder and passer then Parsons. He isn't as good offensively, but is miles ahead defensively. Stephenson, based on advanced stats, is one of the best defenders in the league. Defensive rating 101 - Defensive win shares - 4.8 - Stephenson 2013-14 season Defensive rating 102 - defensive win shares - 4.6 - Lebron 11 career average
We paid Lin and Asik 8m off the bench. As far as I'm concerned, Lance can play 1-3 and Ariza can play 2-4. That makes paying them 8-10m worth it when they are effective at more than one position.
Lineup could be multiple depending on match ups or injuries: Bev/Harden/Ariza Stephenson/Bev/Harden Bev/Stephenson/Ariza Harden/Stephenson/Ariza
We need to sign him for the sole reason of having Bev + him on the team would result in at least 1 opposing player getting ejected (possibly their star player) every game.
You can forget about Lance Stephenson, Rockets promised Ariza a starting spot as that was a stipulation for him to leave a good situation in Washington with comparable money on the table.
So start Lance at PG. His rookie season he played 53% of his time at PG. Dude has excellent court vision and can get to the basket at will. Lance and Ariza could guard the better of the 1/2/3 positions for the other team. Stick Harden on whoever sucks. We win.
Pretty apparent that the Rockets don't value Lance that much, at least not at whatever his market price is right now, not any more than they liked Parsons at his price after missing out on Bosh. They prefer staying flexible than to be locked in with Lance long term and betting on Lance as the "third star" (which should make Lance offended ). The only way to sign Lance is if Lance totally strikes out this summer in terms of the deal that he wants, gets pissed off and randomly accepts a short-term deal with Houston.
Lance Stephenson: 13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.6 apg, 49% FG, 35% 3pt, Defensive W/S: 4.8 Chandler Parsons: 16.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 47% FG, 37% 3pt, Defensive W/S: 2.5 One of the two above just signed a 15m per yer contract, the other is looking for 10m and is looking for a new team
