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The Pistons are expected to waive Cato, should we sign him???

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Yaowaming, Feb 16, 2006.

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  1. Yaowaming

    Yaowaming Contributing Member

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    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mside1606feb16,0,6738992.story?track=rss

    Magic tout big hope for 7-footer Milicic

    Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
    Posted February 16, 2006


    In search of something -- anything -- to shake up a roster gone bad, the Orlando Magic acquired much-maligned forward Darko Milicic and backup point guard Carlos Arroyo from the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

    The Magic gave up little-used and often-injured center Kelvin Cato and a future first-round draft pick.

    Although the Pistons are expected to waive Cato -- getting him only for his expiring contract -- the Magic have plans for Milicic, who has been a bust since the Pistons used the No. 2 pick of the 2003 draft to select him.

    "He's a young big guy with a lot of potential,'' said Otis Smith, Magic assistant general manager. "If you're going to take a run at a player, you want to make that run at a 7-foot player.''

    The key to the deal was the Magic's future draft pick. The Pistons will receive the pick in 2007 unless it is a top-five pick. If the Magic pick among the top five that year, they keep the pick, and the Pistons automatically get their pick in 2008.

    "You have to look at him, at his age and say, 'If he were in the draft this year, where would he go?' " Smith said. "He would go pretty high.''

    Milicic, from Serbia, is 20 years old, 7 feet and 250 pounds with good basketball skills. His lack of production with the Pistons has been puzzling because he has athleticism. Former Pistons Coach Larry Brown often questioned his desire and work ethic in his first two years.

    Milicic hardly has played with the Pistons, a veteran-filled team that reached the NBA Finals in each of his two seasons. He is averaging just 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.6 minutes this season, struggling to find any consistent playing time on the NBA's best team.

    Last season he averaged just 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in only 6.9 minutes.

    The Magic (19-32) are hoping he might develop with considerable playing time on a rebuilding team. They are hoping he could play alongside Dwight Howard, their 20-year-old center/forward.

    The departure of Cato leaves only Steve Francis from the Magic's trade of Tracy McGrady to Houston in 2004. Cuttino Mobley was traded to Sacramento last season in exchange for Doug Christie, who hardly played before departing. Cato became the Magic's starting center last season, averaging 7 points and 6.7 rebounds.

    This season, though, Cato played in just 23 games, averaging only 13 minutes, 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds. Off-season shoulder surgery limited him at the start of this season, then he was slowed by foot problems lately. Cato has been on the inactive list since Jan. 18.

    "That's basketball,'' Cato said as he left TD Waterhouse Centre on Wednesday at halftime. "It's a business. I'll miss Steve Francis, but that's about it. I'm cool like Kool-Aid.''

    The Pistons made the deal mostly for salary-cap purposes. Cato is making $8.6 million this season, the final year of his contract. Milicic is making $4.1 million this season and $5.2 million and $6.8 million in the next two seasons. Arroyo has a contract for $4 million annually for two more years.

    ]
     
    #1 Yaowaming, Feb 16, 2006
  2. BenignDMD

    BenignDMD Member

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    No No No
     
    #2 BenignDMD, Feb 16, 2006
  3. Kyrodis

    Kyrodis Member

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    I wouldn't mind signing him for the league minimum. He already knows Van Gundy's system, and he actually played pretty well that one year.

    Unfortunately, our roster is already full. I'd take him over Bowen at this point. They both have about the same shooting ability, but Cato brings a lot more toughness and rebounding. The flip side is he has a lot less hustle.
     
    #3 Kyrodis, Feb 16, 2006
  4. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    he's damaged goods. if we can get him cheap, yes. if not, no.
     
    #4 chow_yun_fat, Feb 16, 2006
  5. pradaxpimp

    pradaxpimp Member

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    is he injured or something?
     
    #5 pradaxpimp, Feb 16, 2006
  6. Thanos

    Thanos Member

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    Damn! Now that is a GREAT trade for the Magic! Thanks the heavens that this guy wasn't their GM back then or we wouldn't have TMAC.

    I wish we could have gotten a deal like that ourselves. We certainly could use Arroyo as our back up PG (remember how he single handedely destroyed team USA) and Darko could be useful too at the 4/5.

    I wouldn't mind throwing a pick in that deal. Even an unconditional one.

    Damn!
     
    #6 Thanos, Feb 16, 2006
  7. glynch

    glynch Member

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    If he wants to be here, and JVG wants him, go for him at the minimum price he will command. If he regains his health he definitely will be a talent the Rockets can play or trade.
     
    #7 glynch, Feb 16, 2006
  8. ArtV

    ArtV Member

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    Any grown man that says, "I'm cool like Kool-Aid." after getting traded shouldn't be picked up.
     
    #8 ArtV, Feb 16, 2006
  9. Bandwagoner

    Bandwagoner Member

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    Its not his fault they paid him so much. Id also be cool like kool aid.
     
    #9 Bandwagoner, Feb 16, 2006
  10. Biggienaz786

    Biggienaz786 Member

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    i think he has a broken bone in his foot.
     
    #10 Biggienaz786, Feb 16, 2006
  11. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

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    If he comes back healthy, sign him for the minimum.
     
    #11 pirc1, Feb 16, 2006
  12. Kerfeld

    Kerfeld Member

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    If he gets waived, I think we should pick him up and after one practice we should immediately sign him to a 6 year 42 million dollar extension.
     
    #12 Kerfeld, Feb 16, 2006
  13. kaleidosky

    kaleidosky Member

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    other teams will pay more than the min for a healthy 7 footer who can rebound and block shots. don't kid yourselves; we're not getting him unless we can somehow use the TE in a deal for him...which isn't worth it.

    plus, his attitude wouldn't be good on this team. just looking at what he said...basically saying he didn't give a crap about his orlando teammates. I mean yeah, he has to say something like that..on the other hand, maybe he could just shut his mouth about who he'll miss and say "it's a business" and move on?

    I dunno, I'd rather have artest's loud-mouthed attitude than Cato's passive-aggressive attitude behind the scenes
     
    #13 kaleidosky, Feb 16, 2006
  14. forchette49

    forchette49 Member

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    The Pistons are basically saying we don't even want you on our bench, as a matter of fact, why don't you just go home and watch us play basketball on your couch for the rest of the season, and to sweeten the pot, how's $8.6 million sound? What, you want NBA League Pass too?!? You're on your own...

    Must be cool like Kool-Aid to be in the NBA... :(
     
    #14 forchette49, Feb 16, 2006
  15. krosfyah

    krosfyah Member

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    If he gets released, doesn't he have to pass waivers first before we can just "pick him up." IIRC, that means every team in the league has to reject assuming his full contract. Am I wrong about this? Capologists?

    Who would we cut, if we did pick him up. I wouldn't cut Hayes for Cato. I don't think I'd even cut that new Euro white guy. I'd wait to see what this Euro guy can do before I cut him. We know what Cato can do and it isn't too much esp. if he's been hurt a lot.
     
    #15 krosfyah, Feb 16, 2006
  16. joserfjostar

    joserfjostar Member

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    Da lord ev da ring

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 joserfjostar, Feb 16, 2006
  17. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    YES!
    Mutombo ain't gonna be here forever
    and
    Cato is Cheap. . Athletic

    The only issue is,. . . .DON'T ASK HIM TO BE SOMETHING HE IS NOT

    If Cato is running the pick and roll . .
    and he does ANYTHING except roll to the front of the rim
    30 SPRINTS and 100 PUSH UP!!!

    Cato takes 15 footers
    30 SPRINTS and 100 PUSH UP!!! . . . this is DURING A TIME OUT IN THE GAME!!

    Rocket River
     
    #17 Rocket River, Feb 16, 2006
  18. xiki

    xiki Member

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    Yes. Kato, the dog, 's biggest detractor sating 'YES'? OMG, what hath becometh of moi?
     
    #18 xiki, Feb 16, 2006
  19. double d

    double d Member

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    hell yeah, if he's cheap, let's pick him up. I liked him playing next to Yao
     
    #19 double d, Feb 16, 2006
  20. Xerobull

    Xerobull ...and I'm all out of bubblegum
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    Get him on the cheap.
     
    #20 Xerobull, Feb 16, 2006
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