We are in an interesting position and are poised to make arun for one of the two. Mutombo is old yet will be a capable backup. Payton, relatively younger, is coming of his worst season, but is still better than PG that Rockets have. Who would you go for?
Payton is unlikely to play for the Celtics. He will in all likelyhood be traded. Rockets trade exception could be a vital player, if JVG wants Payton on board.
if we got them both, would they have individual forks, or would they just share one huge fork, sticking out of their backs?
I think Payton doesn't mind being on the Celtics - he could've opted out, talked to management, and then didn't. So it's one of two things: - He's fine with it, he's staying. - Pre-arranged deal to cut him. If it's the second, I suggest we go after Mutombo in a trade and Pike with the veteran's exception.
Mutombo makes 18 million dollars this year. I voted for Payton. A better option would have been neither though.
Mutombo makes ~$4.4m/year. New Jersey waived him and is on the hook for his contract. I didn't vote...rare reality check on my part.
his ass. And as far as the purely hypothetical q: Payton, as he can still play. Dike has nothing left.
ah. i stand corrected. i forgot all about that. Oh well, at least this poll is better than a "Should we try to trade for Peja?" thread. Now that Peja has asked to be traded I've been expecting one of those all day.
Does it matter to anyone that Mutombo's done and Payton still has something left? Or that we have an All-Star center but no starting pg? Cmon people, logic. Payton all the way. If you don't want Payton, get over '96, I have. The rest of the league is gonna have to get over '05 and '06 and '07 and '08 and '09...
There was one thirty seconds after the news broke, but it got merged into the thread in the NBA Dish, as it had nothing to do with the rockets.
The problem, of course, is that there's little reason why Payton would come here. This board is filled with hardcore Rockets fans, and yet none of us are thinking championship next year. Payton has better choices if he wants a ring this year. If the Rockets well in the playoffs this year, I can see Payton wanting to be a Rocket in the next offseason.
Payton always played well against the Rockets. It would be interesting to see how he fares with us. Not to mention, it would bring some veteran playoff experience to the floor. Even with his current age/state, he's a decent PG. I say make a run for him.
