Agree, they didn't have to give up any rotation players. They basically stole him from the Bucks who probably won't make the playoffs.
We either did in fact use part of our TE, or Ward was also included. But that might be too much to hope for.
I think the TE must have been used. You can't add the TE (5something mil) plus Gaines salary for a 6-7 mil guy but as long as the TE is greater than the players salary it works. so-- TE for James (3 mil) Gaines to Milw (in essence they use the TE they get for us for him). What is not clear is how much TE we have left. Like 2.1 mil (diff between TE-James) or something like 3.4 (TE-James+Gaines). Fantastic. James was the guy I wanted. Not only did we get him, we retained our 1st rounder and got rid of Gaines. BTW James is more like a younger Ward than any other guard on the team IMO. Solid defense and all-around game. Spectacular at nothing, but that is OK given everything else he brings. Funny thing is I wanted him or Damon Jones this offseason. Assuming good health, with the very complimentary and solid Sura and James we don't have to worry about PG spot through the end of James contract at a minimim (06 or 07). I still might talk to AD (maybe to replace Barry), but I certainly would not overpay him.
Basically we got a decent player for almost nothing. And since our team will only get better, the 2 picks will be almost the same as an undrafted free agent. The only way this couldve worked out better was if we got rid of Charlie Ward. Can Rod Strickland be released now?
If this is true then CD has redeemed himself for all the flack he has caught over the past 5 or 6 seasons. I think its clear that he should have the last say in building the team. I think if it were up to him, Ward wouldn't even be sucking up what little cap space he is. Here's some advice to every sport frachise in every city, let general managers manage and coaches coach. In the famous or infamous words of Brian Billick That's why Players Play Coaches Coach and Writers Write. He should have added, and gms gm.
So speaking retrospectively, that means we got Tracy McGrady, Jon Barry, Mike James, and Juwan Howard in the deal for Francis, Mobley, and Cato. Sounds good to me
Exactly. I think people are overlooking the fact that he shot 38% from 3-point range with Michael Redd as the only legit scoring threat on that team. Now with Yao and T-Mac drawing all the attention, his shooting percentages will skyrocket. This is an outstanding deal. I never liked the idea of getting Gary Payton since he was more than likely a half-season rental. Mike James was always at the top of my wish list. Not only is he "only" 30, but he's locked up for 2 more years, which is the same length as Sura's contract. So barring any further injuries, that's a solid PG rotation.
Houston Chronicle just reported the trade, TE is used. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3055572
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3055572 according the chronicle, Strickland is finally going to be released.
I look at his bio and he shoots the 3 ball better in the playoff and he just shot 8/13 3's in boston not too long ago. I think we're a thread from behind the arc now with Barry,Wesly,Padgett and now James. He is 29 yrs old and is at his prime.
you rang? I'm fairly sure the TE is involved in this deal. First, without checking other sources, Mike James is a BYC player, because I'm pretty sure he went from the minimum to 3 mill. Meaning they can only take back a player 1/2 his value (plus15%+100K...or conveniently 1.8 mill). With Reece Gaines at around 1.2 mill, this doesn't leave much room. As mentioned, Reece's salary alone can't cover James. The problem is, the Bucks can't take back other players. The trade exception can absorb James' salary. You can't aggregate the TE and a player (ie 5.48 TE+1.2 Reece Gaines DOES NOT equal a 6.68 mill player). But you can trade Reece Gaines with the exception for a player making greater than 115%+100K of Gaines' salary and less than 5.58 mill (TE+100K). Mike James' 3 mill salary would fit right in here. This is pretty much our last chance to use the TE anyway. It expires a year after the TMac trade, which is before free agency. The only other time we can use it is really draft day and around that area (like the TMac trade). As far as what we have left, that's a little hazy. Certainly a 2.58 mill exception (5.48-3+100K) expiring 1 year from the Francis trade, and now a ~1.3 mill exception to make up for trading Gaines salary for "nothing", perhaps expiring a year from today. I'm not sure if those can be combined since they were from the same deal- I think so. I'll read up on this factor.
I agree about talking with Daniels, but if Barry is interested in resigning for another year or two, I do it without worrying about whether there's room for Daniels. IIRC, you can't combine the TE with a player (like Gaines) for a more expensive player (like James). And I don't think you can trade Gaines ($1 million plus) without getting something back salary-wise. Would certainly like to know what the status of our TE is. EDIT: Ah, Hamilton was included. That makes sense now. You guys remember when we drafted Hamilton some years back?
This is a GREAT trade for the Rockets and for myself. One of my bestfriends who lives here is related to Mike James, so this will open up a big door for me to get more of the inside scoop on the franchise. I will probably be spending some time with Mike James in the near future. There were talks before the season started about Mike James, but the Rockets chose a different route, now they realize what they let slip away and snatch up James. Hopefully it doesnt take him too long to fit in. 2 practices will be held before Sundays game vs. Jazz. I know James is excited about coming here and being close to his family. PRAISE JEBUS!!! That is the best news of this trade!!!
A younger David Wesley? I'll take that! Mike James Milwaukee Bucks Position: G Height: 6-2 Weight: 188 College: Duquesne '98 Player file | Team stats 2004-05 Statistics PPG 11.4 RPG 2.6 APG 3.9 SPG .85 BPG .09 FG% .446 FT% .744 3P% .382 MPG 24.8 David Wesley Houston Rockets Position: G Height: 6-1 Weight: 203 College: Baylor '92 Player file | Team stats 2004-05 Statistics PPG 12.3 RPG 3.1 APG 3.5 SPG 1.21 BPG .11 FG% .393 FT% .845 3P% .390 MPG 35.2
Sura's not going to the bench. I think he meant that James will be a terrific backup for Sura once he returns from injury.
