From ESPN Insider: ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher Billups' leadership could help a number of teams "Charlotte is in desperate need of a starting point guard and could offer cap relief, a seemingly attractive thing if Denver is starting over. If Golden State is looking to change its lackadaisical culture, Billups could help there, too. The Kings, Nets, Clippers and Grizzlies are relatively young teams that could benefit from his presence, too. But if Billups' dream scenario of riding into the sunset chasing another ring in his hometown has gone poof, the least he'd want is the chance to still chase a ring elsewhere. Teams that would keep the dream alive and have assets to send back are the Rockets, Magic and Hawks." http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors#18087
I'm not sure if getting Billups without Melo makes sense. Are we a contender if we swap Billups and Brooks? I doubt it.
Dang, Jackie, that's a wild trade! Every one of the 50 guys going to Denver is an expiring contract and we end up with Iggy and Billups. I'd do that deal, although it would hurt to lose AB and Shane. Billups and Lowry would be a pretty crazy yin and yang, though. :grin:
Having a Billlups + Martin backcourt would give you a extremely efficient starting backcourt: two starting guards with TS% close to .600 because both of them can draw fouls, shoot FTs at a high %, and hit the 3 pointer. Would be interesting to see how that helps the team. The guard spots used to have TS% close to .500 with McGrady and Alston. Then last year Brooks was merely average in terms of TS% while Ariza was terrible. Having a highly efficient backcourt will move the Rockets a long way toward being a top 10 offensive team.
I admire the trade effort. Not sure I would do it though, gotta think on that one. Something bothers me about it.
Yeah, The Knicks get the better of the deal and become contenders and we still can't beat the lakers.
Billups certainly comes across as a Morey type of player, but he's a 33 year old Morey type of player.
Why would you swap Brooks for Billups?!?!?!?! Brooks is 10 years younger and cheaper too, till the end of this season... Still, makes no sense to swap a yound developing player for a solid veteran who only has a few good years left! NO WAY!!!
Clearly, the logic for Denver is to clear cap room so they can sign Carmelo Anthony next season when he's a free agent.
I wouldnt really have a problem getting billiups if it means were getting melo. He may be 33 but I think he can still play 2-3 good years.
Yes, Billups has some years left. Two indicators of long career length are size and shooting, and Billups is excellent in both categories.
Billups is old, declining. Otherwise, Melo won't demand a trade. He knows that the nuggets' time has passed. I have to say that the people who want to trade AB for Billups didn't follow him closely, didn't watch Billups' last playoffs at all.
