I don't know why Dallas would want Rasheed when they already have Jamison and ANtione Walker. I'm calling a smoke screen, or just a misinformed reporter. There is no way the Blazers are gonna get someone of Francis' or Yao's caliber for Rasheed. No team is that stupid. With that said, I think we could send a package of Cato/Mo Taylor and Moochie or Cato/ Mo Taylor and Nachbar.
It is possible that we could package up Cato and the trade exception to cover salaries and Portland is looking to whack their payroll. If Portland wants a presence to try to contain Miller and Shaq, they need to deal for someone before the playoffs.
If Portland trade Rasheed for capspace, it better come with a good pick. Why? Because they might as well ride out HIS contract, which is 15M just this season. They may even be better off cutting him than trading him for expensive role players. Either the Blazers get a damn good pick for him, or a good player in return. IMO, they will not find 15M in expiring contracts anywhere in addition to a good pick. Right now, I think San Antonio's deal is the best one offered (Rasho, Malik, and Mercer). Two solid players locked up to reasonable contracts and an expiring one who could fill the gap for half a season. Dallad can only offer a big-time PF, which is something Portland have. Portland would not take Jamison, and I doubt Dallas is offering the red-hot Antoine Walker. The Hawks are apparently offering Alan Henderson and Theo Ratliff. No clue what Pistons would offer. Right now, we have a chance. We don't want to give Steve up for free, but here's the best deal I can come up with: Steve, Moochie, Trade exception, Mo Taylor for Rasheed and Dale Davis We can follow up by either signing a backup PG, or trading Cato for two role players (Jerome James + Brent Barry?). Man, I can't get this thing off my mind. Rasheed next to Yao would be unstoppabe.
Did anyone even click on the link to see who came up with this rumor? PETER VESCEY that tells me there is no chance in hell of it ever happening.
The Rockets ain't trading Steve and Yao. That's all there is to it. And Cat is pretty much untouchable at this point. The Rockets would like to add a player like Wallace without giving up any of their core. So the ball is really in Wallace's court. If Wallace wants to play in Houston and he sends out vibes to the other teams that he will not re-up with them at the end of the season, then why would anybody else be willing to give up any significant talent or capspace for him. Wouldn't it be something if the Rockets could work out a restructuring of Wallace's contract and then trade our exception and spare parts for him? Hey, Les said he is willing to pay the luxury tax under extreme conditions. How much luxury tax would there be if we took on Rasheed's deal for less than half a season starting in February? I think Van Gundy is a loyal coach to his players. Cato has been playing the way Van Gundy wants him to play. Just like Oakley, I don't think Van Gundy will move him. That's the way his system works. If the player gets his nose dirty, plays defense the way that Van Gundy wants and proves himself to Van Gundy, I don't think Van Gundy is gonna trade him. Besides that, we can't afford to trade MoT and Cato for Rasheed. It would leave us 2 big men short. We are 1 big man short right now. We need one more big man to add to Yao, Cato, and MoT. A big man that can play in the paint defense and hit the medium range jumper. So, I predict the Rockets do not trade for Wallace unless they use the exception and some combination of spare parts or future draft picks. That is unless there is an undercurrent clash between Van Gundy and a player that we are not aware of.
Taylor and Cato for Rasheed. Rasheed would be great for us as long as he doesn't do anything bad... :/ Taylor and Cato. That's it. I would love Ron Artest though..even though he's kinda bad too..he's been a pretty good boy so far. He's only what..23 years old? I would give them...Mobley for Artest.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20031227_NJ@IND "Rick Carlisle ripped Ron Artest and the Indiana Pacers following a loss to the New Jersey Nets, calling them an immature team who stole money from the paying customers Saturday night." "Artest played uninspired in the first half and argued with Carlisle on the bench and in the locker room, prompting Carlisle to bench him for the entire second half." "Ron Artest did not play in the second half for conduct detrimental to winning," Carlisle said. "Part of it occurred on the court, part of it occurred at halftime. Getting Artest now seems realistic.
Two things here... 1. Unlike the NFL and MLB, the NBA does not allow the restructuring of contracts for cap purposes. Whatever he is getting, we have to pay. That's why they call them guaranteed contracts. 2. The luxury tax will be gone after this next offseason. Both the league and the players want to ditch it. 3. There would be no luxury tax implications for taking on Rasheed's deal because in order to trade for him, we would have to send the same amount of contracted money to Portland in return. My problem with Wallace is that he is a free agent after this year. We could trade for him and still end up losing him. You cannot discuss contracts until after the season or be in violation of the current CBA, so they can't make any deals with him before the trade. Since we don't expect to be a legit contender this season even with Wallace, we BETTER be able to retain him after the season. To make matters worse, it isn't just that he gets busted for legal "issues," he doesn't work hard on or off the floor. He has the skill to be one of the elite players in the game, but he is satisfied with less than that. Maybe JVG could whip him into shape, but I dunno.
Make no mistake, Rasheed is a highly talented player. He can go inside with legitimate post moves, has range out to the 3 pt line, and plays decent defense. Oh and he's 6'11", so he brings size along with his mobility. He is however, crazy. Shame.
To be clear, the only thing that keeps Rasheed from being the best PF in the league is his temper. Blocks shots, rebounds, scores from everywhere in any way, plays defense, great passer, very athletic, team player.... The list goes on and on...
I like Rasheed. Especially next to Yao and especially with the Van Gundy Rockets...watch our bench sometime...we have an entire team burning with the desire to succeed. Something sorely lacking in Portland. And for all of his "head case" criticism, Wallace quit smoking pot after his wife made him see what it was doing to her and his children. Wallace will not get busted for pot again. And Rasheed is and has been extremely active in the Portland community. But... 1) It's Peter Vecsey. Meaning, I should stop here. 2) Trying to trade Rockets players to Portland for Rasheed is barking up the wrong tree. If it's a 2003-04 mid-season trade, Rockets players go East and the Rockets will have to use the TE to take in one bad EC contract. (Or Derrick Anderson's from Portland). Taking on a bad contract is a "reward" to the EC team because other than Steve and Yao the Rox don't have the pieces to land Rasheed. Plus, the EC team doesn't see itself as directly competitive with the Rockets or Blazers. 3) With the expiration of Wallace and Shawn Kemp's contract (buyout), Portland has only $36m committed for 2004-05. They will let Wallace walk before they take on a bad contract (ie, Cato or Taylor). IOW, taking on a bad contract means POR will only have a MLE in 2004 instead of $6m-$8m in cap space. 4) Wallace is in the final year of his contract. My understanding is that he is an unresticted FA in summer 2004. If he truly wants to win and likes the aspect of playing with Steve, Yao and Cat, he will take Houston's MLE. If it were my choice, I'd take Rasheed over Antoine Walker or Antawn Jamison. He does everything they do, plus play D and blocks shots.
sheed when he wants to be, is one of the best interior defenders in the game. hes got great instincts, athelticism, quickness, and is court savvy. getting him motivated and keeping him out of trouble is the problem.
And what makes you think Ron Artest would thrive in JVG's system where he calls all the plays and sets too? No thanks to Artest!
Gater (BTW, Happy New Year!), I agree with your assessment, but you are still glossing over the head case aspect -- ask Rueben Boumtje Boumtje. IMO, Wallace would never agree to our MLE next year. Therefore, IF the Rockets really want him, we would need to do a three-way with Portland and an Eastern Conference team. (Now we are treading on Hottoddie's turf. ) In whom do you think Portland would be interested as far as EC player(s) and who would the Rockets give up to do it?
As talented as Rasheed Wallace is, he has permanently alienated every referee in the game. As a result, he does not get any favors from the refs when it comes to calling fouls or ignoring illegal play (i.e. travelling, initiating contact). I would worry that the refs might extend their "cold shoulder" to all of the Rockets. I say pass. If the Rockets are going to pursue a free agent power forward, they should look at Carlos Boozer.
Rasheed is very skillful but prefers to play outside and refrains from attacking the PF's on other teams. He can rebound but doesn't want to work on the boards plus he gets into trouble all the time. I would pass up on him.
Houston trades: PF Maurice Taylor (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.1 apg in 26.9 minutes) C Kelvin Cato (6.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.8 apg in 28.8 minutes) C Jimmy Jackson (6.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.8 apg in 28.8 minutes) Houston receives: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 apg in 39.0 minutes) SG Ruben Patterson (7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 apg in 22.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: +6.6 ppg, -2.4 rpg, and +2.7 apg. Portland trades: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.0 apg in 39.0 minutes) SG Ruben Patterson (7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 apg in 22.7 minutes) Portland receives: PF Maurice Taylor (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.1 apg in 23 games) C Kelvin Cato (6.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.8 apg in 29 games) C Jimmy Jackson (6.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.8 apg in 29 games) Change in team outlook: -6.6 ppg, +2.4 rpg, and -2.7 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and Portland being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Portland had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out unless trade exceptions were used for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why give up a bunch of money and a couple of dedicated players for a 6'11" question mark? I'd rather we went after someone interested in getting to the next level as a player than someone who plays lazy and is unquestionably certifiable.
