Woj " Rockets looming as strongest suitor to sign Josh Smith" http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...gest-suitor-to-sign-josh-smith-193133772.html
This is precisely why the Mavs made the trade for Rondo now. They are just accelerating their 2015 FA. They get home court advantage with Rondo. Rockets would have the same with Dragic.
Why not trade Smith's 2 mill contract+filler to Phoenix and get Dragic? He's not a bad haul for Phoenix considering they are facing letting Dragic walk for nothing. If they make the playoffs, who are they guarding Blake Griffin, Tim Duncan, Zach Randolph, Aldridge, etc with - the Morris twins? Ha!
Stop. At the BAE playing the 4 (which he has not been playing very often in Detroit) he would help any team. He certainly fills a need with the Rockets. To all the naysayers with this deal, remember this- perfect is the enemy of the good.
I think better than Jones for sure...curious to see how Dmo matches up... but yeah Smith is a good defender...i think he could give LMA fits
For Morey, it probably comes down to. Smith's contract value (BAE) + Defense > Smith's offensive warts (which might be able to be covered up playing at PF on a team anchored with Harden & Howard)
I'd be more interested in trading Jones than a signed Smith or DMo. If Smith becomes the D and garbage man that we want him to be, Jones has no role. DMo fits better as the backup 4/5, and fits way better alongside Smith. The key with Smith is relegating him to 4th option. If we hit the Jackpot with Smith and Dragic. The best options to send out would be Jones / Johnson / Shved / and Black or Dorsey as a filler, with whatever pick they 'need'. I'd look to keep Terry/Canaan because they are ready to contribute this year. Honestly, I think we should keep the Pels pick. It's going to be the best way to get a Kawhi type player, and solid role player is all we need going forward.
My thought is Josh Smith will not make any additional salary this year, whether he signs for vets minimum or the BAE via the "offset" rule. Why would he be inclined to save Detroit money? Furthermore, why would he be inclined to tie himself down to the second year of the BAE contract? I see him signing at the veterans minimum where ever he chooses to sign. If the reports of his desire to play for Houston are correct than I see him signing here. If not, then I see it as a dog race between LAC, DAL, and HOU
I've got another thread trying to ferret out the cost to trade for dragic. It seems the consensus in that thread is there isn't a need to add dmo given what other teams are limited in being able to offer. I know there is a case to make that adding dmo is fair value for dragic, but why pay more if you don't have to. What other team do yall see beating NOP + KPap + fillers and what would they offer? Serious question....
