I know that Hoopsworld isn't the most reliable source out, but I figured it wouldn't hurt for you to know. Rumor is Cato who makes 6.8mil per and signed for next 4 yrs. for Austin Croshere who makes 6.6mil per and signed for the next 5 yrs. I also read that Jonathen Bender or Ron Mercer might be thrown in as a sweetner. What do you think???
This has been dicussed here. The conclusion was we dont need a down-the-hill type of player like Croshere, while giving up our decent back-up center Cato. We have similar talent here, that is Boki.
The Rockets will not make this trade. First of all, why would you give up a great backup center for a foward. Cato is a rebounding machine, and we have guys like Tmo and Boki who can play like Croshere. Cato has been absolutely awesome this year, and the Rockets will not trade him away.
Croshere was apparently a RT target as a free agent. Fortunately, we dodged that (contract year wonder) bullet and I bet even Rudy is glad of it.
I'd have to agree on Croshere and his decline since he signed his huge contract, but throw in Bender and maybe this is a trade worth a look.
With Posey here I don't see where he would fit. If he can play good D at PF then maybe. But we need Cato to backup Yao.
I think Al Harrington would be a good asset if we can get him from the Pacers for someone. Not Cato though. We will need Cato in the playoffs.
I can't see this happening. Another four that doesn't play defense to fit in with an already crowded situation there. We don't need a three. And trading Cato would mean giving up our only legitimate b/u center. I just don't see it.
So we trade our backup center, who right now is playing better than probably half the starting centers in the league, for a backup forward who is coming of an injury, and has more years on his contract? No thanks. Ron Mercer is not sweetener, he is more of an albatross. Jonathan Bender is a stud. They don't just "throw him in". However, trading Cato for 2 forwards would leave us paper thin at center, and log jammed at both forward slots.
Chances are, we'll trade for another Cato-like player rather than a Croshere. We need a strong, tough, hard nosed PF to play 10-12 minuteas a game but bring the attitude. Watch how Kwame Brown will explode once MJ and Oak are gone. People will be too busy thinking "Free from MJ's reigns..." to actually think that MJ and Oak are the reason for any success that Kwame might have in the future.
