For what it's worth, this is from today's bskball.com/Rumors.shtml (I'd post the link, but you can just read it): __________________________________________________ This summer should be an interesting one for Rockets fans, as this will be the Summer of The Franchise--no, not like last year when they had enough capspace to re-tool and chose to go Glen Rice and Mo Taylor. This will be the summer in which they can ink Steve Francis to a long term extension, something the club wants to do, and Francis seems ready to do - IF - the club can make some changes this summer that insures they are a playoff team. This past week, Rockets owner Les Alexander had a closed door meeting with Carroll Dawson and Rudy Tomjanovich to discuss the future and lay out a plan for the summer, a plan that must get them to the playoffs next year, and not just a "skin of their teeth" playoff run either. Sources close to the team say that keeping Francis is a priority, but that nothing is out of the question regarding changes. The Rockets will begin a push to sell tickets for the new arena including luxury suites and club seat tickets and want to insure they have a product on the floor next year that will not only sell out the last season in the Compaq Center, but also sell a boat-load for the new building (slated to open September of 2003). This will be an extremely important off season according to sources, one they expect will change the face of the franchise... lets hope its not at the price of The Franchise, as many are suggesting that in order for the Rockets to get seriously better, they may have to make some serious trades. __________________________________________________ Maybe not much new---we got much of this from the Chronicle, and half of this sounds like our own speculation on this BBS. If this guy has got one thing right, it will be an important off-season (and season) for this franchise. Still, would we trade Franchise if we wanted to sell a lot of tickets for the new arena? What kind of "serious trades?" Where would we possibly trade Steve and get value (and it would have to be a place where he would re-sign)? Is Steve making any noise about leaving? Or is that just frustration from what happened this year (which he should understand better than anyone)?
It doesn't make much sense to me to suggest that trading Francis would increase sales. Just when Francis establishes himself as a star in his prime (All-Star selection) and the face of the Rockets (Road to Rocketville), we would start over with someone new? We might have to trade Mobley or Griffin or Taylor or Thomas or our fodder... whomever, but Francis would have to publish an ultimatum to be traded from Houston now.
That's what I was thinking. If the organization needs to put butts in the seats (and it does), then trading Francis would be extremely detrimental to that cause. Of course, the Rockets organization has not seemed to put forth much of an advertising effort. And I include pre-season ads, before all the losing. Francis and Mobley are the team's only untouchables...unless, as mentioned, Steve makes noises about leaving (which I don't think he would do publicly). Eddie would only be moved if an unbelievable deal came along. Mo? Gots to stay, at least for now, no trade value. KT and Mooch and especially the draft pick(s) could determine off-season moves. I'd like to believe the team would be much more competitive when healthy. But I'm afraid a "skin of the teeth" playoff run is the first step for this franchise. Beats not getting there at all.
It seems intriguing but, not to bother anyone, bskball is not one of the most credible people to hear things from. Just my view. Francis is the top priority and signing him long term will be the key to the offseason.
rebel, thanks for pointing that out. But, we're just discussing the proposal raised, not the integrity of the actual information. In fact, the only factual claims that we don't know from other sources or common sense is that they have to make major changes to make a playoff run. I think that we can have plenty of "serious trades" without touching Francis. Moving Moochie, KT, and/or draft picks could have a serious impact on our roster.
Please. Francis isn't going anywhere. Plus, when we have a roster next year like this *starter *Francis *Mobley *Odom/Lewis *Griffin *Cato Norris Torres Morris Rice Taylor Langhi extra center ...Steve will be happy. Bank on it.
THAT'S RIGHT! A 3-way-sign-and-trade with Seattle and the Clippers that would send KT to California and leave the Sonics with much needed cap space to make their run at Trajan Langdon!
Most likely, we'll be keeping the majority of our players, though I would love to see a handful of them bought out, or not resigned. IMO, this is the summer we should be looking for an assistant coach or 3.....or at least learn how to play the game. We can bring in Odom, Lewis, or who ever, but that won't bring back fans into the arena........WINS will. I know it's most obvious thing to say, but it just seems that the Rockets organizations just doesn't seem to get it. LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE GAME!
