It might be worth the gamble, although I would hate to give up Terry. I still hope Canaan would be able to help us out, but he would become redundant if we get Isiah Thomas. In that case, we could end up retaining Terry as well.
This is really the basis for the blockbuster trade that will help both the Rockets and PHX. The big question is what does Brooklyn want for Lopez? Your trade as proposed doesn't work because PHX has to give up more to fit in Lopez's contract. But I wonder if Brooklyn would settle for this: Houston in: Goran Dragic, Miles Plumlee Houston out: Kostas Papanikolau, Alexy Shved, 2015 NOP pick Suns in: Brook Lopez Suns out: Goran Dragic, Miles Plumlee and Alex Len Nets in: Len, Shved, Papa, 2015 NOP pick Nets out: Brook Lopez I'm guessing in the end we'd have to give up Jones to Brooklyn too. But, I have a feeling PHX would trade away Dragic (who they won't resign), Len (future replaced with Lopez as the present) and Plumlee (on the block already) for Lopez.
I think Phoenix is the one who doesn't do this. Yes, Len has a LONG way to go, BUT his trade value I think is higher than Lopez's. Len is already a way better rebounder, is 5 years younger, and is probably healthier. And of course Lopez will cost $17 million next year. Now, Len has to get better and meaningfully better offensively, and has to prove he can play 30-35 minutes a game and stay healthy... but you can see it there. Maybe he never becomes "as good" as Lopez, but given that Lopez isn't all that great, given that the Suns don't go from 8th-ish seed to homecourt advantage now or anytime int he future as a result of the trade, etc. not sure why they'd do it? They are better off hoping Len takes another big step forward next year. Or thought about another way, if I'm Phoenix, I'd rather just take Houston's offer, with the addition of TJones.
If we could get Dragic & Plumlee for Shved, Papa, Jones and the NOP pick, I do that in a heartbeat. I just figured we have to entice PHX by getting Lopez & BKN involved. I figured in order for BKN to be interested Len would have to be involved.
Yeah, I just don't think Phoenix would or should trade Len for Lopez straight-up. Simmons will be doing his next basketball hour talking about trade targets, taking into account age, contract, skill, etc. The previewed it on ESPN radio today a bit and were noting that Simmons thinks Len has more trade value right now than even a Kevin Love... Love is underperfoming, is older, has an injury history and most importantly is a free agent. Whatever you feel, I think it's fair to say that athletic true seven footers that are young and improving and show serious signs of being a legit 15+ ppg, 10+ rpg, while protecting the rim (Len blocks 2.7 shots per 36 minutes) just don't happen that often anymore. Len could be that in two years. Phoenix is young... trading that for Lopez doesn't make sense.
Only player Rockets NEED from Suns is Brandan Wright. Would love Bledsoe or Dragic but Rockets are in need of a Center that is not such a liability on offense, especially with Howard out for 2nd half of season, or God forbid, in the postseason. And Lance Stephenson would provide many of the "wants" that Rockets fans have been clamoring for. But BR would be easier to acquire, better fit and more versatile (play alongside Harden, come off bench, 2nd facilitator, rebounds, defense, intimidator) than all the trade favorites like Dragic, Lawson, Rubio, MKG, etc.
I don't think the Rockets need anything great offensively at center. Better than Dorsey would be nice... but I'd rather have good defense at center than good offense, because any touches Dwight was getting can go to the PFs, which is fairly efficient offense. Rim protection is essential. Will I happily add a player like Brandan Wright... absolutely... would he be a better addition than Dragic or Lawson... absolutely not.
Brooklyn is looking to shed salary...and the reason they would do it is for draft picks. Whether the Rockets are the ones to cough up the New Orleans pick(unlikely if they are giving up Papa and Jones), or if PHX is willing to give a future 1st round pick...there is clear incentive for the Nets to shed salary. They believe in Mason Plumlee...The nets may even look to offload Deron Williams to Sacramento (perhaps in the summer.) Also PHX will not give up Len that easily. He has some serious upside, and youth is on his side. That being said, Brook Lopez could play the 4 along side Len(who is more of a true 5)...And that is a very big frontline; something that could potentially cause a lot of issues for opposing teams. There has been no secret that the Suns are looking for a big that can shoot, and since Frye left via FA...there has been that void. The Suns ideally want DMo from the Rockets, but the Rockets have clearly taken Donatas off the market from everyone. He is like the ideal player for the Suns...too bad he wont be given to the Suns, especially for a Dragic rental. If the Suns were able to get a player like Lopez...they could quickly build with a Bledsoe-Lopez foundation, and have solid pieces around them. The Suns have to weigh the proposition of losing Dragic for nothing or getting Lopez on a fire sale price. I'm sure the Suns would bite. Finally I totally forgot that the Suns would have to offload one more piece: perhaps PJ Tucker(to the Nets) in order to make salary work.
All that said, I think we can all agree that a HOU-PHX-BKN blockbuster at the deadline would be the most beneficial for the Rockets and Suns and hopefully would be the most beneficial for the Nets....hopefully they'll be willing to play!
I bet PHX prefers Len over Lopez, not just because of cost, but because Lopez does not fit at all in their run-heavy offense...thats just asking for another injury
I think many would agree with you. But those same people will change their tune quick if we take Dorsey into the playoffs as our starting 5, even with Dragic/Lawson.
Yeah, maybe they bite if they are moving Tucker... Not Len. 7'1, 5th pick in the draft, this is really his rookie year since he barely played last year, won't be 22 until June, 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks per 36 minute already. He's got a ways to go offensively, but Phoenix is already 8th in offensive efficiency. They need help defensively, which they won't get by trading for Brook Lopez. If I'm Phoenix I'd rather have cap space than Brook Lopez... but I'm sure they can get something for Dragic... eg. just trade him straight up to Houston for a contract and the NOP pick... even that would be better than having to move Len for Brook Lopez in return. True... but there's a difference between (i) I'd rather update the PG position than get a bit better offensively at the center spot.... and (ii) we're great at center and shouldn't even think about upgrading. I'm not saying to not acquire a better all around center... I'm just saying I'd rather go into the playoffs with Dragic/Lawson and Dorsey, then Brandan Wright and Beverely.
Giving up dmo in a nets, pheonix trade might be a must. We have some good draft picks though. We have a lot of expendable players we can deal to.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=nyg5hm2 This + we trade ours picks to Brooklyn and pheonix. How would you alter this or change this to work out fir all three teams suns, nets and rockets?
I think you need to review the rules on roster size limits. You just can't trade away six Rocket players and receive only three in return. The Rockets would have to sign at least one free agent after such a trade to meet the minimum roster size requirement. Similarly, you can't trade out three Nets players and receive five back. Brooklyn would have to waive two players first to make that trade...
