SS is an unrestricted free agent. He no longer belongs to West and West can't trade him without re-signing him to the contract that SS wants (9-10M?). At that point he can't trade him for less than the value of that contract. I don't know what a 2nd rounder is worth, not much. So you will have to find a pretty hefty expiring contract to match up. Memphis is like us they have tons of expiring contracts already. I think SS has the upper hand because West can't do anything that SS doesn't want to do.
Bottom line: 1. What is the S&T market for Swift outside of us and NY???? Are there even any other teams interested????? 2. Is NO or Atlanta going to offer him a big contract????? It doesn't seem there is much interest in Swift outside of us and NY. At least if there is, the rumor mill has been kept out of it. Obviously Swift wants as much money as possible. The thing with NJ is just a smokescreen. They can only offer the MLE or a trade exception to Memphis. Memphis may do the trade exception deal with NJ but only if SAR falls through. So we are really waiting on NJ and Portland to consumate a S&T for SAR. What is Portland waiting on? Either the right deal from NJ, probably trying to dump a contract on NJ that NJ doesn't want. What we could do is approach Portland about trades for expirings contracts. That may get NJ to move along with SAR and Portland if they see they could lose SAR in a S&T deal to Houston for our expirings and some of their bad contracts. Make it one vicious circle.
It seems that Swift is hyped as a Rocket Savior. Somehow, I have the feeling that he is more hype than real.
I honestly think it's a 50/50 chance he'll be here. I was very optomistic at first w/ all the nice things he said, but it's gonna come down to money, and w/ all the money that's already been handed out, I don't see why a player would settle for less. Has he turned down our offer? How long will CD wait? It's no suprise that we have to wait this long, there is just no reason to committ so early if you are Swift. I wonder what CD has been up to in the mean time. *And I don't think a S&T with Memphis is totally out of the question. West might not want to deal w/ us, but if a fair offer is put on the table where they get some decent players, picks, and get to unload a contract, anything can happen.
I agree. As for the 50/50 chance, I tend to go with the 50% on the right side!! Haven't heard anything yet....
Doc- Any word on anything? I know you haven't heard anything about Swift, but has CD been talking to anyone else like a PG or SG?
Inside information or not, what are your thoughts on MLE vs. S&T? What does Swift think his value is?
The Rockets don't need a savior. We already got our savior last summer. Swift is merely a piece to the puzzle. He's not a centerpiece like Mcgrady or Yao.
The playing time issue is what i think might scare SS from coming here. Surely he's not gonna want to split his time with Howard. The guy was supposed to be a star coming into the league. The guy probably has a grudge against West and wants to prove that he could have been an All Star if he didn't have to split his time before. So would he be stepping into the same situation here? That might scare him off. I really don't know to much about the guy's maturity, other than the rumors i've heard which aren't great. If he's he's contemplating the night life scenerio, which alot of young NBA players do, Houston doesn't compete with some of the other cities like NY, however we should still be an upgrade over Memphis. But JVG, should get him to grow up fast if he does come here.
I think Swift's still expecting to get paid on his potential, not what he's done on the court. That seems to be the problem in my mind. At this point, i'd take Marshall if he'd commit right now rather than waiting and risking getting noboby. JH and DM is a better combo than we've had in a long time. Heck, maybe we can pry Kevin Willis to come back! There's an inside presence who still looks more jacked and nows how to play w/o the ball than any of these free agent PF's out there.
Just for fun: Houston Trades: Wesley + James + 1st Round Pick Houston Receives: Swift + Patterson NJ Trades: 5M TE + 2 2nd Round Picks NJ Receives: SAR Memphis Trades: Swift (S&T) Memphis Receives: James + Wesley + 2nd Round Pick Portland Trades: SAR + Patterson Portland Receives: 5M TE + 1st Round Pick + 2nd Round Pick Why for us: We get our PF and a nice swingman in Patterson. Head could fill in for James and Patterson could fill in for Wesley or be a good backup for TMac. We still have our MLE and LLE for a SG or PG. Why for NJ: They get their guy w/o having to give up their sacred 1st Rounder. Why for Memphis: They get 2 expiring contracts and a non-guaranteed pick. James would fit in nicely at PG, especially since Watson is gone and they want to deal Williams. Wesley can still provide a good year for them. Why for Portland: They get their 1st Rounder for SAR and they get to dump Patterson, I think a 2nd Round Pick is decent value for him.
Well, sure seems like New Jersey should be the only team we're really worried about now. Of course, he could still end up in Atlanta or New Orleans, but I'm not seeing that as overly likely.
You have missed the point again for the 2nd or 3rd time. What you have stated we already and Crisco's well constructed words have acounted for that already. PS. I would not hold my brerath for Stro. If he comes fine.......otherwise we move one to other area or personel to meet other needs. PPS. The "Other" teams I hinted include The Cavs, Bulls (if they lose one of their bigs) and Seattle.
The Bulls and Seattle are not in play IMO. The Bulls would rather keep Chandler and Curry than spend almost as much on Swift--who is lower in upside than those too. Also, Radmonvich is more important to Seattle than Swift would be. I don't see them offering big bucks to Radm (or giving the impression they won't match) and also to Swift--if fact they might have to renounce VR to make a big offer to Swift. They also have Evans to sign, probably a lot cheaper than Swift. In short, Seattle is not going to be in play for a free forward in free agency--they would be smarter just to keep VR and Evans. They will take care of their own FA and maybe look at add a cheap back-up PG to replace Daniels, nothing more I suspect. The Wiz I have modest concern. They could try to add a guard or a 4. Hopefully they go guard. The Cavs are a big concern. Given they offered Haslem 43 mil, I think they can take their pick of URFA Pfs (Swift, SAR, DM, AW) if they really want to. Hopefully they target another position like PG. If they do take a PF they must really despise Gooden, who was more productive numbers wise, younger, and would be cheaper than Swift. Seems both guys have character/ethic concerns, so it doesn't seem like a great move up for them, but again maybe they really think Gooden is a huge problem. The Nets are still a problem too, but they can't offer as much as the Cavs even with their TE used in a S&T. Nets and us are kind floating right now with the best MLE type offers (starting 4 spot available on playoff teams) until guys make decisions. And off course NO and Atl are lurking, can't stop their cash flow if they want to use it. Hopefully they keep their eyes on younger/more upside players than Swift, Walker, Marshall or SAR. I wouldn't say NO would go for Swift given their 4s and 5s, but he is a local kid.
