I think the Rockets could put together a nice sign and trade package for LMA. Those midrange shots throwing off our 3 and D philosophy? Im not sure its a good fit, but crazier things have happened.
Paging Bima or other cap experts. What would we need to clear to sign him ouTright and what would we need to trade to get him in a sign and trade. People are delusional If you think we would t give up on jones and dmo for lma. He would help our offense so much and I don't see how having him affects smith cause they can play at the same time. I think it's smart from this season and on to try and limit Howard's regar season work load and having lma would afford us that luxury.
He shot the most 3's and the best percentage of his career by a significant margin. He's ready for the Rockets to fix him.
2. So who are the leading contenders to steal Aldridge away at this early juncture? You can't say loudly enough that it is early in the process. Very ‎early. We've only just made it to May, leaving two months for climates to change. But the consistent word on the personnel grapevine at the minute informs us that San Antonio and Dallas not only both believe they have a real shot at signing him but are also legitimately in Aldridge's thoughts. Does Aldridge, even accounting for his Dallas upbringing, really want to go home to North Texas or down to South Texas, where he'd essentially be casting himself as the heir apparent to either Dirk Nowitzki or Tim Duncan? Wouldn't he be putting himself in some awfully challenging circumstances to try to live up to the legacies of either of those certifiable legends? Answer: We're hearing Aldridge connected to both of those teams so frequently that you can only conclude that neither idea scares him. Yet sources insist -- at, yes, this early juncture -- that San Antonio sits near or at the top of Aldridge's list ... unless the Cleveland Cavaliers were to lose Kevin Love and then somehow manufacture a way to sign-and-trade for him. The Knicks and Lakers, of course, also intend to enter the bidding. And there will surely be others. http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/3803/steins-scoop-next-for-blazers-aldridge
You want Lawson? Me too. Guy would be a tremendous fit for us. However to get a player of that caliber, you must give some good vslue. At the very minimal, Denver will ask for D-Mo or Jones and perhaps a pick. You add Lawson to the current team in addition to a sharp 3 point shooter, and we will be the favorites to win it all next year along with the Warriors.
Hmm.... the Rockets deal DMO or Jones, the Pelicans pick and another piece for Ty Lawson. San Antonio signs Aldridge.... You thought the West was stacked this year.... wow OKC healthy...... GSW coming off of 65+ wins..... SA with TD/Leonard/Parker/Aldridge ..... Houston with Howard/Smith/Harden/Lawson and a deep bench...... OUCH!
Yeah, it does seem the West is going to be as tough or tougher next year. I like LMA, but we must address the pg position in a big way. I am sure you have seen Lawson's stats. Dude ranks high up on all the metrics for a pg. Think of him as a mini Harden, a perfect compliment to our MVP, and someone who will take the pressure off Harden when he is doubled hard or when he rests. Getting Lawson will not destroy our core. Getting LMA might.
I still dont think its a good fit, Smith does that all for a fraction of the price. Not only that, but I've never got the impression that LMA and Dwight/James were that cool with each other. Not like a Rondo per say who Dwight and James would always make a point to go see him and chat him up. Not saying I like Rondo or want him on the team, just the friendship aspect of the equation.
The way I see it is there are two real paths you can go down: 1.) Operate above the cap, make a trade, and set yourself up for free agency in 2016. This would mean: - Keep Kostas non guaranteed deal, Prigs probably retires, bring back Terry on a one year deal. -For your RFAs (Beverley, Daniels), offer inflated one year deals to buy yourself time and create trade assets. -For Brewer, you have early bird rights which means you have to offer atleast a two year deal. Offer him a declining scale contract so you leave yourself ready for 2016 free agency. -For Smith, you could use one of your exceptions to offer him a decent one year deal. -Look to add a PG via trade such as Lowry or Lawson who you could feasably add and still be a player in 2016 free agency, assuming Dwight opts out and signs a longer cheaper deal (say 4 years - 60 million?) 2.) Operate below the cap and try and sign Aldridge/Love outright. -Waive Kostas -Trade the Pelican pick, Jones and Dmo for future picks -Let Beverley and KJ walk -This scrounges up about 15m in cap room to lure LMA to a two year deal with a PO, with the intention to sign another max after one year. -Hope to sign back Smith, Terry and Brewer with vet and room exceptions. I see no scenario where LMA accepts a sign and trade. It just doesn't make sense.
LOL ClutchFans is funny sometimes. Get Eliminated in the Playoffs Early: People on CF.net, "I can't believe we are not in the playoffs now. I don't even care about free agency, I'm so pissed about not being in the playoffs!!" Still in the Playoffs as the 2nd Seed: People on CF.net, "So what do you guys think of LMA..? Free agency should be fun this year..."
"According to sources": <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LaMarcus Aldridge Believed To Have Strongest Free Agent Interest In Spurs: <a href="http://t.co/n509L4DarS">http://t.co/n509L4DarS</a></p>— RealGM (@RealGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/594190609415417856">May 1, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
But again like I asked in the NBA Dish thread, where will the cap space come from unless Duncan and Manu retire or accept massive paycuts? Kawhi will get a huge offer from someone and the Spurs will have to match it. Parker and Splitter are already on the books with sizable contracts. Danny Green will be looking to get paid, so either the Spurs have to give him a raise or find a replacement. And then after all of this, they need to clear 20+ mil under the cap to fit Aldridge. It's definitely doable, but I have a hard time seeing it play out where the current Spurs team is able to return intact and add Aldridge on top of that. And what would Portland want back in a sign-and-trade from them?
With Duncan, Ginobili and Parker aging rapidly, Aldridge next to Leonard would be an incredible tandem for Pop to. Continue with. Hate to say it cause I am Rockets through and through but I would actually like to see what Pop could do with with Aldridge. Would keep the San Antonio /Houston rivalry strong for years which is part of why I like this sport. Love those big games!
If the Spurs can't win the game 7 tomorrow, my guess is Duncan would retire and Manu would follow him. It seems that Pop has changed his old idea that whenever Duncan's gone he's gone too.
Am I crazy to think that we shouldn't go near him? He's a better fit than Bosh or Anthony at least. We are DEEP at the 4 spot when healthy. Assuming at least two of Jones/Smith/DMo are here next year I feel alright about the position. I'm not saying we have anyone on Aldridge's level (he's a top-3 PF) but I'd rather have great depth than 3 max contract players and a bunch of scrubs. We need to straighten out the PG position and acquire some outside shooting.
Why would you have to take Dwight or Josh off the roster to get Aldridge? If Aldridge comes it's via a S&T, likely costing us a young PF. Josh would be a key backup, same as now.
Morey has said that if the Rockets got a guy who could make midrange shots as well as Aldridge (or Dirk), he'd let them take that shot every time. Morey doesn't care about 3s, just scoring points efficiently. It's long 2s that really drive him crazy. Aldridge sounds like a pipe dream to me, but if he's serious about winning and about maybe signing outside of Portland, the Rockets' best chance of recruiting him would be to do some serious damage in these playoffs. That means advancing at least to the conference finals and putting up a good fight (worst case: the Spurs beat the Clippers and then kick the crap out of the Rockets on the way to winning another title, then Duncan and Manu announce they're taking pay cuts to make room for The New Man and keep the good times rolling). I don't rate Dallas because I don't think they're close to real contention right now, even with Aldridge. Too many questions marks there.
