It can happen man, if smith wants to be here....itll propel us to elite cuz then we can trade softy jones with our pick with kappa with whoever they want overseas and even add the 2nd for lawson
A better Dwight Howard is what you'll get if you start Smith next to him. For that reason alone, you retain Josh over TJ. I can't believe it took this long for McHale to realize those two need to be on the court together. They played ball together for years as kids, and that chemistry/synergy is evident when they are on the floor at the same time. Josh also gives the starting five a second playmaker, which doesn't hurt. You trade Jones or D-Mo this summer for the point guard upgrade needed. Roll with one as the backup four, and let Capela be the backup 5.
There is no way you trade Dmo i don't care who it nets, you just don't do that.....tjones no pick Kpap, and whatever is needed for best PG available...hopefully its lawson, but Dmo is untouchable IMO
Les needs to be willing to pay the tax to maximize the chance to win a ring in Dwight's prime. Smith has a chemistry with Dwight that the Rockets should capitalize on, not let go. Smith also is actually a good defender at the 4, which they will need to get out of the Western Conference. I actually think both Smith and Brewer return. Brewer because this is the first time he's played a big role on a true contender, and Smith because of all the money Detroit owes him and his friendship with Dwight.
I'd trade Jones before D-Mo, but neither is untouchable provided they keep Smith. A big man rotation of Smith/Jones or D-Mo and Dwight/Capela is fine. There's not going to be minutes for 5 bigs that all deserve to play.
Some cap space expert can tell me plz how you can pay Smith? Or are people here expecting him to take a paycut? This works both ways. The better he plays the more his new contract will be.
I expect him to take less money to play with his childhood friend on a contending team that doesn't ask him to change his offensive style of play (ie, not shoot threes). Money isn't everything and he already got a lot of it from Atlanta and Detroit.
I believe, Smith, TJ, Prig, Jet, Dorsey, Pap will be gone...more like a clean up. Im not saying the replacements are going to be better though.. Ariza could be gone too if it is a must in bigger trade or better repacement.
Agreed. Plus he and his father have come out and said being in houston is the best thing to happen to him and brought the joy of basketball back.. He will stay its a guarantee if we want....Det paying him 6 million doesn't hurt either
Do you believe in unicorns and fairies too? Smith is not a washed up vet at the last leg of his carreer and he isn't a Rocket born fan to take a paycut for the good of the team. Money is never enough when you retire at age 30smth have no other life skill to find a good paying job after that, and you are used to live in riches. How much can the Rockets pay him and how much can they pay Kj? And how much Brewer? Anyone who knows the cap details? Let's say Llull refuses to come over so you have the full MLE.
Ariza gets 8 per right? Well..that contract is very good by this summer and next year. He will be a very precious trade asset very soon.
the rockets can pay smith 120% of his current contract without using the mle. rockets have bird rights on brewer. kj's a project, he'll get the min or near that. the 4 year contract he turned down from philly was fully unguaranteed (team option) each year. very unfavorable to the player.
I'd mostly agree on that. I think the PGs potentially available (or at least inquirable) will be Lawson, Holliday, Knight (based on the collapse once they got him), And then there are rumblings of Lowry and Collison not being safe with how their teams performed. T Jones next to Boogie would make him a happy camper. I've always loved Kemba, and his shooting numbers would go way up with a good backcourt partner like Harden taking some pressure off. George Hill had a pretty great year as well but maybe not worth the price. The guys I would want most would be: 1. Jrue Holiday - Great setup man, decent defender, good shooter, and high character guy. Injuries a worry. 2. Kemba Walker - Heart for days. He can create and plays like a more polished Beverley. Doesn't turn it over. Not afraid of the moment. 3. Ty Lawson - Probably considered the best PG available. Just had a DWill feel to him for me. I think his assist numbers are a bit like Westbrook in his big run where there enhanced by him being the guy on the ball 24/7, and he definitely seems to lack it on the defensive side. The other thing that I can't really speak to is Llull. I figure he's probably a bit overrated and not great defensively, but he can shoot and would be a definite upgrade to the Prig/Terry duo who are just too limited physically at this point. Way longer than I meant that thought to be, but I ramble. Bottom line PG needs an upgrade. PF does too (probably more), but it seems like those are harder to come by and we may have what we need in Smith/DMo if we can't find anyone available. Taj is one of the few realistic guys out there that would be an improvement defensively which is the bigger issue at that spot.
Thank you hooroo for the info. I know, they got Covington for 1per for 2 more years. A steal. But Kj won't get a min with the current market and all the hype. He will get offersheets at the end of free agency by teams that have missed their targets/want to give a chance but I think the max he can get is the amount of a MLE for a player bellow 2 years exp..? 120% of Smith is too low. I am thinking some teams that will offer more. Someone should make a thread with the cap situation and how could be made possible to retain all the players with/without using the MLE on Llull.
Holliday has dangerous stress fracture and gets injured very often. He could be available but with the firing of Monty who knows now. Kemba is def not available- and he can't shoot that well. He also needs the ball in his hands a ton. I also thought that Jones will look great next to Boogie but the Kings FO want to pair him with a lanky shot blocking center now. To be honest the perfect pair next to Harden would be George Hill..but Indiana loves him.
Yeah I meant to add that with Kemba. Jordan loves him, and they want him there forever. I'm a UCONN fan so I'm a little biased on that one haha. George Hill is only unavailable until Indiana sees what they have with PG back, but they've got too much of an established team there when healthy so I'd agree. Lawson might be the only real option there. Avery Bradley is another good shout as a 3-D guy, but doubtful and who knows what the Smart/IT/Bradley trio's future is. (I'd guess IT may eventually be shipped out)
Indy is too old and has only one rookie contract. They will look to rebuild by changing style - go smallball, faster pace, while "contending" but they won't let Hill go. They have paid a too steep price to get him in the first place. You can never be sure with Ainge. Never. But I think IT will stay unless they get a star and he is packaged. Bradley is available sure. They are in pick collecting mode. Jennings will be available. Jarett Jack. Bledsoe I think will be made available in next trade deadline. Depending on free agency and the rise of Schroeder maybe Teague in next trade deadline. If Lawson is traded to the Kings, Collison could be. Lowry, Vazquez, Derozan are available as well.
