He's far from a finished product. With that said, he's 20. He should be going into his junior season. He's already shown that he can be an effective player in the NBA. He does fall in love with the three. He has the tools to develop a complete game though. If he does, he will be a star.
I would do that trade, and then use Smith as trade bait. He's not a Van Gundy type of player but I would value two draft picks, especially if it can help us acquire a capable veteran who can make a difference.
What's the possibility that the Rockets might be trying to make a deal for the Hornets' 2 picks and use them in a package with Stro and/or Luther to move in the top 4 or 5 selections? The way everything is unfolding as far as media, it sounds like the Rockets' draft board goes: Morrison (taller, more "athletic" guard/forward) Gay (taller, more "athletic" guard) Roy (Taller, more "athletic" guard) Reddick (Priority 1, 2, and 3) Brewer (rotational player) Carney (rotational player) Marcus Williams (Best available?)
If there was any chance of this happening, getting J.R.Smith, getting rid of Swift, signing Mike James and picking up three decent players in the draft, I could see the Rockets well on their way to rebuilding our championship team!!
thats the same thing i was thinkin....all in one draft. We have to go AT LEAST to the second round of the playoffs and after that who knows
Yetti -- you are an optimist, and that's a good thing. But JVG will never work three rookies and one near rookie into the rotation at the same time.
Why all the love for Johnson? Isn't this the guy that road the pine with "motor" problems (coaches words) his first two years, averaged 13 and 7 as a junior, and now we want to draft him? If this is the wrong Johnson, Sorry. I'll shut up and listen.
thumbs - you have the most righteous signature so I trust your judgment. whatever you think; I concur more is better - the year of the 'fall in our lap' as in chinese proverb.
If Hornets can accept #8+ Stro for J.R.Smith plus their 2 first round picks, I will do that trade w/o hesitation.
This is what I would do if the players were available, Redick might go #10 or #11, but if it was possible this is how I would try to work it. Houston trades Luther Head and the #8 pick to New Orleans New Orleans trades JR Smith and the #12 and #15 pick to Houston. At #12 draft JJ Redick At #15 draft Hilton Armstrong
Gag a maggot. Why in the world would we waste the #15 pick on a stiff 7 footer that is going to get 10 minutes a game at most backing up if he even makes the roster. Forget that. Take Alex johnson or Rondo if they are there at #15. Take Ager. Take anybody but a backup center. You know I've been with you on the idea that we've got to get a shooter and if Redick is available for us, we've got to get him as long as we aren't able to get Roy, or Morrison, or Bargnani. But we don't need to be wasting draft picks on centers. We can get a backup veteran center for league minimum in free agency after Deke leaves. That is, if we have traded away Stro.
Hilton is an athlete and believe it or not he can shoot. He can play the 4 or the 5. Remember everyone was saying Villaneuava was a stiff. Hilton could be a quicker Cato that could guard out further AND hit the jumper.
Seriously doubt it will happen, but getting JR Smith would be hot, especially with 12 and 15 picks as well. T-Mac would put his ass in place.
If we are going to have a 7 footer, I would prefer the kid from senegal with the 7'8" wingspan. He is said to have a hell of a motor.
There is no persuading mike james needed. From what i have heard, even after he told everyone he wanted to come back to Houston, the Rox have showed no interest at all. I dont think we need to do anything to convince James to sign with us. I would definitely do 8 and swift for 12, 15 and Smith. I wouldnt do your deal though if I were the rox. NO wants nothing to do with Smith so he can be had for real cheap. If we can get say Redick and Carney at 12 and 15 (both could reasonably still be there) that gives us a shooter, an athlete and youth and that doesnt include Smith. Then at 32 we can see if a good fit player is available and draft them. Or even trade the pick since it should have a good value to teams who want someone but dont want the guaranteed contracts of a first rounder. I like this deal a lot more then the head and 8 for number 6 deal.
May I ask the source behind your suggestion that the Rockets aren't interested in bringing Mike James back? Sounds bogus to me since JVG has publicly stated his desire for the team to acquire depth at the PG position as well as overall shooting. In addition to his All-Star caliber numbers from last year, MJ just so happens to be one of the best 3-pt shooters in the league so I seriously doubt any of that would hurt his case. Besides, when did beggars become choosers? I wouldn't do #8 and Swift for NO's middle-rounder picks and J.R. Smith simply because at the very worst Swift is a decent backup at both PF/C positions. We all know about the very much annoying "P" word but it most certainly applies to Swift and the outside shot he could ever turn it on and stop underachieving. Moving Howard should be a much higher priority at PF. New Orleans is obviously going to move J.R. but its not going to be some kind "first come first served" giveaway. If he was in this year's draft he would easily be a lottery pick.
This was reported by *************** Rockets fans got excited when they heard that Mike James was lobbying to be back in Houston now that his contract with the Raptors has expired. What they were forgetting in that excitement was that the Rockets specifically got rid of Mike James. Sure, he can score, but his ego was completely out of control. He's all about his own stats, and that didn't endear him to Jeff Van Gundy. James just didn't fit into a program where he wasn't going to start and he was playing third fiddle to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. His little tirade in Game Seven of the Rockets' first round loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 2005 was the last straw. The Rockets shopped him and found a taker in Toronto. The deal landed the Rockets a true point guard in Rafer Alston, which was exactly what they needed after the whole Steve Francis debacle. James was the subject of discussion at workouts in Toronto on Wednesday, where a source close to James said the young man is back home in Houston, hoping to get a call from the home team. While James has had discussions with a couple of teams, the Rockets have not shown any interest. The reason is simple: they've already had him and they passed on him. He wants to start, the Rockets don't have a spot for him. He wants a max deal, the Rockets can't offer that to anyone. Finally, there are no indications that his ego has diminished in the slightest. Finally, what the Rockets really need from free agency is a 6-6-ish shooting guard who can knock down jumpers and defend. That's not James. I think a player like james posey helps us out a lot more then mike james would. I dont hate stro either. I would much rather add juwan then him to that deal but i dont think the hornets would bite. You are right about the "P" word. That is why some people want to hang on to him, but also the only reason why he might be valuable enough to get something in return tradewise.
