Ok, I think I have it all worked out now. I think the Sonics are going to hardball Lewis and tell him to take the 60 million or leave it. If he leaves it, he will NOT sign for the MCE with Dallas or Houston, I think he will have to wait...UNSIGNED until mid December so the Rockets can trade Mo Taylor for him. I think the Sonics would take Taylor but what assurances that he is healthy again, and are willing to make Rashard wait if he turns down their offer. Thoughts? DaDakota PS. I don't really think Rashard fits on the team anymore, but that is just my opinion.
I don't believe rashard fits with our team. I'd rather see what we have before we pay him that kind of money.
Forget about Rashard, bring the Bull back. Even Walt Williams would be a better option than Rashard right now. (becasue of money issues) All we would use Rashard for is as a spot up shooter anyways, we can get that from a cheap veteran SF.
HotRocket:- Williams is out! He is a defensive liability and we need to improve with a defensive stopper, not a liability!
Rashard is like icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. I would like to get him without giving up to much of what we might have. But if I was to make a trade that I know would work out for both sides this is what I would do: Rockets The Rocks have far to many PF's and really need to make room for Griffan this year... not next... Also, the Rocks have a great opening next year when Glen Rice no longer has a contract, however, thats only going to help sign the players the Rockets already have, not look for free agents. Seattle They have a serious need at the PF position and will also have a glaring hole at the small forward spot for at least a year or via trade. The Rocket's just happen to have room there as well. I propose that the Rocket's trade: Maurice Taylor Glen Rice (Another player maybe Tito Maddex or even TMo) 2nd round pick (if needed to get the deal done) Seattle trades: Rashard Lewis (signed to a 67-78M contract with bonuses) Brent Barry (1 year remaining on contract) Although I'm not a Brent Barry fan, it would be a decent addition for a backup guard. Seattle already has Desmond Mason starting at the two position and Tito or Oscar maybe could provide the fair exchange. This deal takes care of the PF position with a very good (when healthy) player like Mo and Glen Rice offers Seattle the ability to spark the offense when necessary and really allows Seattle to rebuild by opening up their salary cap for next seasons free agent market. I know... sounds tough considering the injuries both our players had. But consider the fact Rashard was injured for a good amount of time near the end of the season last year. We shall see...
I think three things will have to happen to get Rashard. 1.) Sonics have to agree to sign and trade 2.) Rockets are willing to give up Mo Taylor for Rashard. 3.) Rockets and Sonics can somehow coax the Clippers or Bulls (two teams under salary cap) to get in on the trade to cover the BYC complications. So, it doesn't look very likely. I would LOVE to have Rashard from a purely basketball perspective. Basically you have to ask yourself who you would rather overpay: Rashard or Maurice? We're already overpaying Maurice, so it's not like adding Lewis in a sign-and trade is going to add to the Rockets' financial problems. Plus, we have Eddie Griffin and Kenny Thomas to fill in at power forward.
this poses a question of wuold you rather have an abundance of power forwards or small forwards, since the talent levels are equatable at both positions. Lose Maurice and gain space at the PF, gain Rashard and lose PT at the SF. I think the deal only works for us if Rice is involved in the trade because Rashard and Rice are starters. If that is the case then would you rather have Rashard over Rice, athleticism over shooting ? Healthy past over an unhealthy past? We have athleticism, but we always need good shooters, someone to help spread the floor in crunchtime. It is a tossup to me, and since the deal isn't falling in our laps then we should just move on.
Lewis will be playing with a team this Nov., there is noway he is going unsigned this offseason. I say we trade KT/Rice for Lewis and a 1st or 2nd round pick.
I disagree. Right now, I think the Rockets are in much better shape at the power forward position than at the small forward position. Especially when you consider its very likely that Rice won't be able to make it through the entire season.
Actually I was being a sarcastic when I mentioned Williams (I should have used the googlie eyes ) I'm just saying that if we get Rashard we are going to use him as a 3 point shooter rather than a slasher/penatrator. If we want a spot up shooter, we might as well bring back bull, or let Rice and Nachbar stand back and jack up 3's. Im not all againts picking up Lewis, I just think that we will lose too much trading for him. Believe it or not, Mo taylor and even Rice can make a huge contribution with their veteran leadership and knowledge of the game.
I normally agree with you DD, I just have a slightly different take. I know posters will say this or that about Rashard Lewis, but after being dissed in the draft and still consider the team that did that to you as a possible return shows he is a mature young man. I'm excited about Nachbar and Ming, but adding Lewis would solidify us as a top 5 threat off the bat. How often does a team get the chance to get a man that shoots almost 40% from 3 land, 47% from the floor overrall and grab 7+ rebs at the age of 23? All the people talking about him being overrated when clearly he is better than any of our 3/4 players right now. Does he deserve 100mill,90mill or even 80 mill? Probably not, but somewhere in betweem what Marion and Raef signed is about right. If somehow the Rockets and Sonics pull off a sign and trade, the Rockets might have to give up Taylor,Thomas and a future consideration to make the salaries work, but it would be worth it. Before everyone jumps out of their seat and says Griffin isn't ready,please show me how you can tell if a player isn't ready before he is tested.
DaDakota, I want to ask a question to make sure I'm reading this right. Did you say Lewis would sit out half the season, not playing at all and then we make the trade? If that is what I'm reading I have to disagree. No way Lewis sits out any part of the season w/o having a contract w/ some team somewhere. The Mo T and bringing another team in part sounds plausible but Lewis not playing for part of the year is the longest of long shots IMO.
i don't know whats gonna happen, there was a good point saying that it might be a good idea idea to wait and see how our current players cam do.
And then he had a season-ending injury. Seattle would not give up Lewis for MoT alone. The most logical trade: KT/Rice for Lewis/1st or 2nd rounder Seattle wants a good PF (KT) and probably wouldn't mind taking a veteran shooter (Rice). To me it's fair for both teams.
