Could Tim Duncan be a Rocket someday? According to this article, Duncan & Robinson's contracts could be ending the same year, if Duncan opt's out. If we're able to resign Dream for two years (which I think we will) or trade Cato to Chicago for Miller (his contract expires in two years) or both, then we would be in a very good position to make a run at him. We should have under contract at that time: C: Collier/Cato? PF: Taylor/KT SF: Griffin/T-Mo/Shandon? SG: Mobley/Langhi/Shandon? PG: Francis/Moochie Even if you don't mix in any draft picks or trades we might make by then, adding Duncan to this group with 2 more years of playing time would be a pretty legitimate option for him. We should have plenty of cap space, depending on what moves the Rockets make between now & then. Does anyone else think that the Rocket's moves in the next two years would be to position themselves for a shot at Duncan? http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=1290&xlc=263848&xld=120 Express-News: Glenn Rogers/NBA Rogers: July 2003 scary for Spurs San Antonio Express-News Web Posted : 07/15/2001 You've seen a little Spurs summertime drama the past couple of weeks — but wait until 2003. David Robinson, hunkering down in his Hawaiian tent like a modern Achilles, brought Gregg Popovich to his senses by sending out images of a Spurs team and San Antonio without Robinson wearing No. 50. After a flash flood of print and TV tales, David wound up with about 20 million bucks stretched over two years. Nice money, but the contract length is the most interesting. It is now set that both David and Tim Duncan hit the streets as free agents come July 2003. Robinson's pact expires; Tim can opt out. That's crisis time in Spurs land. David will be 38. If he doesn't retire then, he surely will be seeing the hang-'em-up day speeding in his direction. Duncan also will see it. Oh, oh. Tim already has flirted with Orlando, and that after just three years in the Alamo City and practically on the heels of a championship season. His demeanor during negotiating sessions with the Spurs has been deemed "cold."' I see frigid coming when Tim knows David soon is gone and he becomes the lone strong man in the painted area, a lone ranger looking for a Kobe Bryant type diversion. The Spurs will have maneuvering room this coming summer — maybe a few million under the cap if the roster remains similar to what it is now. The contracts for Terry Porter, Malik Rose and Jaren Jackson will expire. They should have more maneuvering room when Robinson's new pact is finished, and the question then is whether Duncan will be happy to sign on with whomever the Spurs bring in 2003 or whether he'll want to join different talent. If Robinson and Duncan leave, the Spurs will be left to ponder their chances of hitting the lottery jackpot a third time. Considering their incredible good fortune in landing franchise players David and Tim, a third time may not be a charm so far fetched. But losing seasons for the new arena are on the horizon. We now can start wondering when owner Peter Holt will begin to study potential offer sheets. The Spurs had planned on this summer being their big under-the-cap time, a chance to not only nail down the shooting guard slot (Derek Anderson) but also to bring in a young small forward. But the team had to spend a big chunk of its cap room giving Robinson pay commensurate with his status and ability. I doubt Popovich suggested to Duncan last summer that he take millions less than his maximum to leave room for free agents. I don't think he'll ask him to do that in the summer of 2003. Right now, the Spurs are hard pressed to bring back a team equal to the championship group. Avery Johnson will be gone. Sean Elliott is expected to retire or join another team — Phoenix if he and they can pull it off. Danny Ferry helped last year's run, but his continued presence is uncertain. Anderson, meanwhile, is blowing right and left. He says the Spurs told him he would be the No. 1 priority this summer — did he really think he would be more important than Robinson? He says he is being treated unfairly despite the fact he is being offered a four-year deal starting at more than $6 million. He says the money is OK but he wants the years, kind of speeding right over the fact that the extra two years equals more than $17 million on top of what the Spurs are offering. And the Spurs, like most teams, are leery of getting tied to non-franchise players for more than four or five years. Anderson's options are limited unless his agent can concoct a sign-and-trade arrangement that would bring in a player the Spurs need or want. Right now, it looks like Anderson will return, and the Spurs may consider talking to Elliott about a one-year deal. grogers@express-news.net ------------------ A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still.
this is something I've been thinking about lately. I tend to agree with blinebury who has been sort of "vocal" about not believing that webber is the be-all, end-all. I think it would be a smarter move by the rockets to continue to let the team grow as is and lay in wait to put on the big push for duncan when '03 rolls around. the fact that duncan signed a relatively short deal with SA last time tells me that he was already preparing to move on once the admiral was done. it's a bleak outlook for SA, but it could mean great things for the rockets. bottom line: I'd much rather see the rockets sell out everything for duncan than for webber. ------------------ houston rockets = 2 utah jazz = 0
If this scenario were to come about, I "would be dancing in the streets." Really though, I checked into this and Duncan will be 26 I think when he can opt out. He would be ideal for the Center Spot if we didn't have one at the time. Also, if the center spot has been addressed by then and if Griffin were to remain at the 3, Duncan can man the 4 spot and we can get rid of Taylor or he becomes the backup. One scenario that would have me never doubting Rockets decisions again would be if we were somehow able to get LaFrentz, Duncan and Griffin all on the same front line. If Griffen were to continue to grow, we would have Triplet Towers to cheer for. Just a dream scenario though. Also, McDyess can opt out in the same year. If the latter scenario (not the dream one) mentioned above pans out, McDyess would be a nice addition at the 4 also. He will be 28 by the time he can opt out. I'm wondering if he regrets signing that deal w/ Denver...maybe if he opts out, he might redeem himself. I know we had Maloney at the 1 compared to Van Exel, but he obviously didn't give enough credit to RT/CD/others. Both players will require the max obviously and I think with the talent we have now, both players would be satisfied with lower stats in order to win. I mean their ppg stats may be lower, but the rebounding and shot blocking stats could be up. ------------------
I'm all for waiting for Duncan, I really believe this is what the Rockets management is betting on already. We may have to wait, but we can not beat the Lakers yet(now) in 7 games anyways. But in 2002-2003 we should start turning all kinds of heads and hopefully this will attract Duncun our way. If this were to happen then the Heart of a Champion can start again for our Houston Rockets. SA is screwed with this signing of D ROb to 10 million, they are stuck in the middle of trying to win the championship now or making potential moves toward building the team for the future. It looks like they are going to try to win it now. Outlook for the Spurs look bad now and really bad in 2 years. There new stadium will be nice, but there will be no reason to go and visit it. While ours will be nice and we will have all the right reasons to go and visit. Advantage Rockets! ------------------ "Instinctly u recognize things,now take advantage of what u just recognized!".. Hakeem..
If you think Webber is pricey this year, just wait to see how expensive Duncan will be. However, HE will be worth the money as opposed to Webber. ------------------
I predict that in Duncan's free agent year, the Rockets will draft a 19 year old phenom with questionable character and they will then proclaim to their fans that said phenom makes the pursuit of Duncan unnecessary. ------------------
grummett--I like the irony! As much as I would LOVE for the Rockets to get Duncan in 2003, I don't think it'll happen. He'll probably go to the Magic. Like the article said, he's looking for a "Kobe-type" player. T-Mac fits the part to a T. Plus, from what I hear, that Grant Hill fellow is a pretty decent player, too. But the clincher will be the simple fact that the Magic play in the East. No fussing with the Lakers or other Western powerhouses in the early rounds of the playoffs. With a team of McGrady, Hill, and Duncan, the Magic can just punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. Duncan could get no such reassurances in Houston. Again, while I would like to make a run at Duncan, the Rockets had better not count on his acquisition. Better that they keep it in the back of their minds in a daydream, hopefully one day to come true. ------------------
Orlando won't have the cap space period. They didn't have it this year to get AD, how would they get it to get Duncan. The rockets would be in good position as long as we sign him before Franchise. However we would be way over the salary cap for a long time, so he better be good enough to put us over the top. ------------------
The Magic have a lot of ending contracts in 2003 and, when combined with the increases in the cap up until then, will have enough room to sign TD. They are at the cap now and could've made room to get AD, but it would've come at a great cost to the team. The same will not be true in 2003. Ever since last offseason when Duncan and the magic flirted together, everything the Magic have done is geared towards Duncan in 2003.There will be cap space - the Magic will only be committed to $33 million in salary for the 2003 season, a little higher after resigning Garrity and Armstrong, but still well below the cap. ------------------
I was thinking about this the other day, but I was pondering whether Eddie Griffin is the type of player who will spend his whole career as a Rocket and it just seems that he might not. If he doesn't meet expectations, I would imagine the Rocks might trade him for Duncan in a sign and trade when his contract is up and San Antonio will have a guy who they can build just around him. ------------------ If you have nothing nice to say, say it anyway.
There's just way too much player movement that will happen for the next two years to be sure who is and isn't going to have cap room. However, a few teams seem considering the salary commitment now, look like they have the inside track to being way under the cap. Houston is a possibility, but so is Orlando, and damn, them GM's are doing a damn good job. The only contract they got holding them back is Outlaw. Houston's is Cato. But if you take a look at the possible free agents in 2003, DAMN!!!! Screw Vince Carter, Pierce, and the rest in 2002. Make sure you can get below the cap in 03 cause here you go: Expiring contracts or player options: Alonzo Mourning Tim Duncan Antonio McDyess Karl Malone Juwon Howard Elton Brand Lamar Odom Jermaine O'neal Theo Ratliff Tom Gugliota Shawn Marion PJ Brown Elden Campbell Brad Miller Ervin Johnson And that's just the big men, not to mention Kidd, Payton ect. Wow! My mind is going numb thinking about the possibilities. So I suggest the rocks do NOT COMMIT long term to the likes of Marc Jackson or Mohammed, cause NOT MANY teams will be under the cap in 03. So if the Rocks can be one of the few, oh my, look at the possibilities.
I am no cap expert, but wouldnt the Rockets have to committ big time to Francis that same year? We would have: Francis Mobley Maurice Griffin Moochie Langhi Terrence Kenny I dont know if we would have enough money for Duncan or not? Anyways dont you all think that would be just way too many superstars and stars? Francis, Mobes, Griffin and Taylor are all stars or superstars or will be in the future. If Duncan cares about touches he wouldnt exactly come here. ------------------
This is yet another reason not to offer Maurice Taylor a long term deal. The Rockets have to lock up Francis long term in the 2003 offseason and hopefully make a run at Duncan, McDyess, Ratliff, Jermaine O'NEal, or Lamar Odom. First of all, dealing Cato between now and then would help create some capspace. If he has a bounceback year and averages 10 pts, 8 boards, 2 blocks next year, he may be dealable before 2003. The Rockets can save some additional space by not exercising the team option on Stiff Collier's 4th year and not sign Kenny Thomas long-term either to save cap space. Cap space will still be tight though with Griffin, Mobley, Morris, Francis to re-sign, and Moochie . Committing $5-6 million to a player like Taylor could well take you out of the Duncan sweepstakes. This is why I don't see why everyone is getting so upset at Hakeem for "screwing the Rockets over" The offseason where there are marquee FA's who can put you over the top is 2003, not 2001. Even if you give Hakeem a lot of money for one or 2 years, you still can be players in 2003. But if you give Maurice Taylor what he wants, being a player in 2003 is going to be tough. And quite frankly, I think Taylor is not worth it. I'd rather take my chances at luring a true stud big man in 2003 than committing to Mediocre Taylor. ------------------ Get Cato out of there...
So Cato=Bum, What do you want the Rockets to do about the PF position for the next 2 years if you don't want to lock anyone up for a lengthy contract? It seems like Taylor's not going to accept a little 2 year deal b/c he knows that the big free agents will be out that year and the demand for him would be less compared to others. So if he only wants a longterm deal and you don't want to sign him, then what do you want the Rockets to do about it? ------------------ President of the CC.net Realist Club, everyone needs a dose of reality once in a while...
We may not even need Duncan in two to three years b/c Eddie Griffin looks like a Duncan clone to me. From the stone face to the silky post moves to the shot-blocking and rebounding, he has Duncan written all over him. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing he even put up better numbers his first year of college as well (if you have Duncan's frosh #'s, please post). Before the draft, the player Griffin was most often compared to was Duncan (including right here on cc.net). Although I would obviously prefer Duncan over Griffin b/c he can play C, Griffin has the potential to bring the same interior prescence from the 4. If he blossoms into the perennial all-star I expect he will be in 2-3 years, Griffin should equal the caliber of player Duncan has become, and he will be 5 years younger and MUCH cheaper. ------------------