If the ROX could get Swift for the right price would you all even consider doing this? I would based on the potential of what he would become. What do you think?
I don't see it happening. He's a restricted free agent so the Memphis Grizzlies have the right to match any offer and have said they would. http://www.nba.com/features/remaining_fa_040913.html
Memphis seems to be matching the offer for everyone (recently Tsakalidis), which could lead one to believe that they would definitely match for Swift or that he's the one they've decided against. I thought he'd be a good signing back when we still had the MLE - if Memphis matched, on could definitely argue Ward would have still been there and Sura potentially as well.
Only works with a SnT -- and where's Memphis' motivation? They 'only' need a 5 (and a 3 - 1 to clear some guaranteed contracts).
if we sign him to an offer sheet how does it affect us if he doesnt sign? cant we just give him an offer and see if memphis will match?
No, don't screw our chances. Stromile Swift is a Rockets fan, I remember reading this when he was being drafted. He's going to stay one more year, then become restricted. At that point, we'll offer him the full MLE for 6 years, around 38M total. Hopefully, no one will offer him substantially more, and the chance to play for his favorite team, a contender, would be good enough to bring him here. He would be PERFECT for this team IMO. Hes rebounding and shotblocking is great, he's athletic, he's a great finisher on the break, and plays good D when he's motivated (no problem with Hubie/JVG). Get him in there, he's the perfect age, and hopefully won't cost much. A Yao/Swift/TMac nucleus would be SUPERB.
Memphis already has a few medium to large contracts. They have to get Gasol signed soon to a big dollar extension. If someone offers Swift a long term deal starting at the mid, I don't think Memphis is a guarantee to match it. They would be way into luxury tax territory with Gasol's deal coming up still. If someone else offers that amount, maybe Memphis could match and trade to us for the trade exception. I dont' know if he's worth risking that much money, but he seems to have the skills to complement Yao. If we could only trade Taylor...
I also want to add to the above- we don't have room for 3 PF making mid+ money , so obviously someone would have to go. Of the 3 Howard,Taylor, Swift, who do you like best? If it's Swift, we should make a move and call Memphis' bluff (like they did on us for Posey).
since our dream came true for this summer, i would like to post my dream for next summer. - sign swift for a max MLE deal. (could be a S&T for spoons ending contract) - S&T lue and gaines to LAC for marko jaric so for '05-'06 this could be our team: yao- [swift would back-up, so any 7 footer would do here] swift-howard tmac-boki jj-sura jaric-ward
Even if Memphis was concerned with the luxury tax they could still trade Swift unless he would sign up with a team like Atlanta for Mo Taylor money. I do like the idea of signing him to the max MLE next year though.
Exactly. Why don't we offer Swift an offer sheet, since Memphis will most likely match, we might as well make them pay more for him. If Memphis doesn't match, then we have a young PF for JVG to mold with Yao/TMac. If they match, they will most likely have to pay him more than they wanted to. I think Jerry West played the same game with Posey, either he gets a new SF or he makes the Rockets use more salary. Just a thought.
I think that the Rockets should put an offer for Swift but I also think that we can't afford him w/o a sign and trade deal happening. Swift would be a good asset to what we are trying to do here in Houston. If Swift says that he will opt out of his contract after this season if he doesn't get traded do you think that MEMPHIS would even think about trading him here for a MoT or Howard? .............your comments
Can Swift sign a 1 year contract offer for say...............$8 to $10 million? Don't know if the CBA allows them to sign 1 year offer sheets. But if they could, it would make an interesting scenario. Houston works out a deal with ATL, ATL makes the offer, then Memphis is forced to match it. If Memphis matches, Swift is free in one year and Memphis is out the money. If Memphis doesn't match ATL gets him for one year. We could work out a deal with ATL involving players and draft picks, or pick him up in a year as a FA. The Rockets could make ATL a deal that if Swift didn't work out in ATL, they could automatically trade him to Houston for players/picks, etc. If he did work out in ATL, then he is unrestricted FA with a chance to pick up the big bucks. Is any of this legal?
Jerry West is not going to take Juwan or Mo in any sign and trade. That's a guarantee. Stromile can at least play some center. Pau Gasol is the star power forward for the Grizzlies. I suggest that anyone who proposes a trade in which Weatherspoon is packed in a sign and trade go take some medicine for delusional GM syndrome.
