Just what the board needs - another Lamar Odom thread Spoke to Doc Rocket, and apparently Lamar Odom isn't just wishful thinking. Well, OK, it still is, but not just fan dreaming -- the Rockets share that thinking. I think there are some who envision Lamar running a good chunk of the show from a playmaking standpoint, and freeing Francis up for some shooting guard. Francis playing two guard will be a serious consideration this summer. Or maybe playing point and not having <I>all</I> the quarterback duties. No one is safe (hope Cuttino is reading) from deals - that continues to be the word. Anyhow, as for the Clippers, I think you will see them be a very key player in a lot of offseason moves since there are a couple of specific guys who could potentially be had for the right price, and I think they have two lottery picks if I'm not mistaken. I know it's always the word every year, but the feeling is the Rockets will make a deal ... if they get #2 or #3 I could see them fielding <B>numerous</B> offers. No idea if they will get Odom, but you can bet they will be talking to the Clippers. Also, Caron Butler, Chris Wilcox, and Amare Stoudemire are getting a lot of Rocket play right now. I think Dunleavy is still considered top SF prospect over Butler, but it's close. Also, it's been up on the site, but the Rockets worked out Juan Dixon yesterday. I expect workouts to get more interesting next week. We'll know so much more after we find out where we pick Sunday.
mary mot.... Thanks Clutch. Do you know if a specific issue made Cat available? Was it just the 'L's?
Luv ya, Clutch. I can see the Clippers angle. If we don't get into the top 3, maybe our #5-8 plus #15 might land Lamar in sign-and-trade. Anything can happen, but moving Cat to another team, when he stayed for less money (and likes Houston so much) does not seem....probable.
I was thinking the same thign Roxt...should we get a bit 'unlucky' and wind up with 8 and 15...i wonder if that would be enough to land Lamar
The only thing is I can't imagine the Clippers wanting any more high picks. It seems like if anything the Clippers would want to trade their picks for a veteran or a semi-veteran like they did last year with Brand.
Well, I thought of also posting the fact that the Paper Clips could use the #5-8 and #15 with their own picks (#8-ish and #12-ish) to make a deal with a team needing high draft picks. Golden State might need the depth, if the Warriors have further deals working. Chicago might deal the #1 or #2. But this gets semi-complicated because we can't just trade our own #1 pick two years in a row; so the Clips might have to make separate deals after the draft. I just don't see Sterling paying all those players (Odom, Maggette, Kandi, then, later, Miles, Q, etc). The Clips will keep the revolving-door policy.
that's what i'm thinking. hypothetically we have the #5 and #15. they have their pick. package that (5,8,12) for andre miller and another player? i don't know the financial details but for the cavs not to look at that is crazy. they'd have 5,6,8,12..which is pretty impressive. we'd get odom cavs get picks clips get miller and whomever we give up.
I should clarify -- no one said to me that Mobley is on the block by any means. But from more than one individual, the word is no one on this team is safe. Well lets be honest: Francis and Griffin are probably safe. But is Cuttino in a "no-one-is-safe" environment? Just a hunch there. Rockets will definitely make changes outside of drafting players though.
Thanks for the update clutch. It seems like Rockets management has been high on Wilcox and Dunleavy from day 1. Is there any word on what they think about Drew Gooden and Qyntel Woods? Both of these guys are presumed top-10 choices and are worth a look. Glad to see that no one is safe after our miserable season.
Thanks for the update, Clutch. I'd have to say Cuttino is with Francis and Griffin category of "can't touch". He brings too much to the team, and is one of those players that can single-handedly take over a game. Just remember how much he did when Stevie was hurt. Cat rocks! Francis, Mobley, Odom, MoT, Cato/Griffin would be a nice combo!! I still have to believe Maurice is gonna be in shape when it comes to play some ball. (I hope)
i'd take a look at that again. Francis-an obvious untouchable unless we get a top 7 player. Griffin-untouchable b/c of the 'upside' and 'potential' he has. frankly, if he is gonna get any better, he needs a new coach..but i won't go into that Cat-he can only be considered untouchable b/c he was loyal to the rockets and b/c he signed such a cheap contract. honestly, if bibby didn't want dickerson so bad, i'd rather have dickerson than mobley right now but that's another story.
I hope we're not trading Cat. We either can't afford anybody else, or can't wait for him to develop. Francis Cat -- Griffin -- The rest is anyone's to be had. Although I do think that if we trade Cato, we should get a C in return. You can't go without a C anymore. I'm glad the Rockets are thinking "Odom", because it's exactly what I envision. Odom taking the playmaking responsibilities off Francis, so Francis can do some major scoring. We'd have so many choices late in games. Clutch, are we a lock to keep Ming if we can draft him?
The Rockets would lead the league in turnovers if our starting lineup included Francis, Mobley, Odom, Griffin and Cato. Not to mention we would most likely be at or near the bottom in FG%.
Even though he has no value (or maybe partly because he has no value) I feel like Tmo is untouchable too, in his way.
If Cat goes and we get Odom then who is our other backcourt starter? Mooch? That would just be scary. Hopefully if we trade away Cat then we make a deal to get a PG who is actually a starting caliber PG. But if we get a PG in a trade then would we need Odom anymore? We might be able to trade a #1 or #2 pick to Cleveland for Miller if they can get Jay Williams (who they're in love with), so if we have a true PG then do we need Odom's ballhandling skills at the 3 as much? I really only see us going after Odom IF we keep both the Franchise and Mobley, because if we had to deal for a PG to go with Francis (who would be one of the top ballhandling 2's in the league) then we don't need a SF who can bring the ball up the court.
Comparing career statistics... <b>Lamar Odom</b> Turnovers: 3.42 Assists: 4.9 Assist/TO ratio: 1.43 <b>Steve Francis</b> Turnovers: 3.70 Assists: 6.5 Assist/TO Ratio: 1.76 Remind me again why Odom would be so much better at the point than Steve? I guess it would free Steve up more, but if some of you are actually thinking Odom is a reliable point man you're kidding yourself.
