I think this is a safe, cheap gamble. Baxter has proven what he is capable of and the price is right. If it doesn't work out after this year, he's off the books. Good move CD
I don't think this is the case. As well as Baxter played during the summerleague, he still isn't a reliable 2nd option at PF. JH (when healthy) is still a better option than Baxter, starting or backup. And I don't think the Rockets want to go into the season with Swift/Baxter at PF. Baxter is our replacement for Spoon. I don't see him getting that many minutes unless JH goes down and garbage time.
I agree that would be pretty risky; however, SS is young, healthy and could play a lot of minutes. It would none-the-less be very risky unless the trade included a b/u PF of less cost.
i'm happy with the aquistion. In reality he isn't gonna get many minutes maybe about 5 to 10 a game spelling the 4 and 5 spot and mop up duties. But it does give us some depth. It makes all the 2 for 1 trades we have been talking about all offseason make more sense now since we have 16 players. I could very well see us making another move before the season opens up.
so what PG is out there that we could make a deal for (assuming that's what we go after)? i'm guessing the trade would involve one of our many guards (Wesley more than likely) and an expiring contract. that would mean we'd be trading for a $4-6 million p/year PG... you could definitely land a decent one in that price range.
I am not sure who we would go after at this point in a 2 for 1 trade. Its too early to tell. I would still pursue free agent Jay Williams if it was me. He can come in and play behind Sura and James this year and has proven NBA talent.
u dont have to cut down to 15 until during training camp just like the nfl. We have multiple players on the last year of their deals that are not in the plans to be in the rotation to cut or buy them out is not a big deal. u could drop baker and norris and be fine.
I think it is exactly like this: 12 man roster with perfect health: 1. DA/Sura,James 2. Wesley, Barry, DA 3. McGrady, DA/Sura, Bowen 4. Swift, Howard, Baxter, Bowen 5. Yao, Mutombo, Swift (Ward Stays & Head is on IR, Norris and Baker are traded for one)
