After the dust has settled in the battle for FAs who is the best value out there? On top of that which one fills a need for this team? In our suspenseful search of a new quarterback for this team is there one that is still available that is worth our MLE? Dfish seems to be a natural fit and the guy I would have chosen from the beginning but im opposed to using our full MLE on him. Thudson it seems is an injury risk and after opting for an increase in pay it seems the only thing he may find is an increase in playing time. Djones wouldn't be a bad fit but clearly not worth the MLE, just for the fact he can be had for much less. On top of that we already have Lue who isn't far behind any of these guys. Perhaps the move for the rockets would be to use the TE to acquire a pg. I for one loved the idea of using it to acquire AD from Seattle along w/another player. I also feel that Mot is now expendable and could be used to nab a pg of equal talent. MoT is a luxury for the rockets not a need. He is a starter coming off the bench (at least his pay is). And with the money FA's are making now, he even comes at a decent value! With that said who out there is worth the MLE? Who out there fills a NEED? Two players come to mind, Etan Thomas and Stromile Swift. Etan Thomas is already being offered the MLE by the Bucks and one would have to wonder why the wizards might be willing to let him walk for that price? Stromile Swift IMO is the guy the rockets should offer the full MLE to. This guy fills NEED now and one in the future. With all of our aging power forwards he will be a need in the next 2-3 yrs aolng with the fact that he would solve the need of a backup 5 now. He is more than capable of running the 5 for 10-15 mins a game and at the power forward would offer things that none of our current pfs offer. He doesnt need the ball to score i.e. MoT. He would help to offer that weak side shot blocker that will now be missed. On top of that the guy runs the floor great. The possibilities are limiltless with this guy along with the potential. How refreshing would it be having him running the floor at the five when Ming sits down for a breather. Need i say not giving up much defensively. On top of that he is exactly the type of players the rockets are searching for (young and talented) to pair with their two new young superstars. Lets just hope that while the Rockets are being so tight lipped over there that they are also actually looking into ALL of the options out there. NO MORE BAD CONTRACTS!!
If I were the GM its what I would do.... I just don't see anyone left for this team that is worth the full MLE! Curious but how long does Houston have to use the MLE? When does it expire? Will it be available next year and who (what teams) would possibly have one next year?
I know this isn't our biggest pressing need, but perhaps we could work out some kind of deal with Sacremento for Doug Christie. Apparently, Sacremento offered Christie to Seattle in sign & trade to try to get Barry. If they want to move him, I would gladly take him. He's exactly what we need complimenting T-Mac and Yao. He plays excellent defense, is a good passer and ball handler and more importantly, is one of the smartest and most underrated players in the league. He would fit in perfectly with his style of play, plus he is used to complimenting superstars.
Swift would be a dream come true. He's put up some nice stats in limited time, mostly because he was in and out of the coaches dog house (kinda sucked since he was on my Fant. team). He blocks shots, rebounds, and from Rockets/Grizz game, he has a nice close range jumper and turnaround. PG FA's Jaric, Marko Claxton, Speedy Delk, Tony Rose, Jalen, Snow, Eric Stoudamire, Damon Williams, Alvin Lopez, Raul The only players I think that we could actually get are Rose, Snow, Williams, and maybe Jaric. I like Jaric for his size (6-7), only problem is that he seems to be injury prone, but who isn't on the Clipps? Williams has a nice turnover/assist ratio and gets over 1.5 spg. Doesn't shoot the three very well though. Snow is old, and Rose is on the decline and TO prone. I like Jaric, but I doubt we will even look toward the clippers for anything.
