This rumored deal makes a hell lot of sense. The Blazers get rid of Miles (and the contract that goes with him), they get a serviceable backup PF with veteran leadership who can start the process of righting the ship there in terms of attitude. They don't need an Aldridge with Pryzbilla and Ratliff at center, would be risking a lot drafting a PF at 4 to backup Randolph or even starting ahead of him, they have Dixon and Webster at the 2, and have three pretty decent PGs. So, not only benefitting from what I said above, they move down and get a young SF in Gay or Carney to round out the roster better. For the Rockets, they move up to get a guy (or one of the guys) they covet in the draft, get younger and more athletic. I hate MIles (if I see him bang his head after doing absolutely nothing, I will scream!), but the switch has to flip in his brain at some point, right? JVG is not scared of taking on guys considered a little bit of headcases. He took on Sprewell and was rewarded big time for it. He went and got Rafer after a HORRIBLE season in Toronto. I think he may exactky the coach Miles needs. Plus, I think Miles is a Morrey type of player who contributes in all areas. Hell, with questions about his effort, he still averaged double-figured scoring, 5 rebounds, and a block and steal a game last season. It's a gamble for sure, but one that could be a HUGE reward in the end.
ESPN Insider started this rumor. See the link to their article (flip down to the section on the Rockets). http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2006/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=2495754 No one is saying this rumor is true, but in my book it makes more sense than the Portland deal. If Atlanta wants to draft a C/PF or a PG there isn't any value in this at #5. Thus, if they are serious about wanting to dump JR Smith adding Luther Head first while still getting the player at the position they want in the draft be it a PF (S. Williams, P. O'Bryant, C. Simmons) or a PG (M. Williams, R. Foye, Farmer, Rondo etc.) makes it a better deal for them. For the Rockets having the opportunity to move up to #5 and still get one of the following: Morrison, Roy, Aldridge, Gay, Thomas or Bargnanai rather than just JJ, Carney or Brewer also makes sense while giving up only L. Head (whom you don't seem to value). For that matter, how do we know the Portland rumor is true? The answer is we don't and none of us is saying that either trade up is true. For that matter, the consensus of opinion seems to be "Why would Portland do that?" While we are debating rumors, I don't think the Portland deal makes as much sense as the Atlanta deal. Just my opinion though.
As someone else mentioned, we would do the trade to get the #4 pick in the draft. The pick is the target, not Miles. Miles is a headcase but he does solve one of our main problems, defense on the perimiter. I am tired of us putting 6-2 dudes on Kobe, Richardson, etc. I am tired of watching opposing swingmen penetrate on us like Kobe on girls in Colorado. Howard has a nice jumpshot, but he is an aging player with a big contract, and he sucks on the boards and defensively (Miles averaged more boards than him last year). We were searching for a PF last year because we realized that Howard is not the answer. Miles has a killer contract too but at least he isn't on the other side of 30 and has a chance to pull it together. Unless a miracle happens and someone drops to #8, the player at #4 is "projected" to be a lot better. I don't expect us to have a pick this high for a while (unless T-Mac isn't healthy) and if Howard and 1 more yr of a bad contract is all it will cost to move up to grab someone like Roy, Gay, Aldridge, Bargiani or Morrison, then I'm all for it.
I don't see how Luther Head has "no value." He was one of the league leaders in steals last year, started out the year as a great 3pt shooter, went into a shooting slump but showed what he can do. He is not worth gaining a few spots over in a draft.
It is not one more year of a bad contract but rather two more years of a horrible contract with the last two years at $9,000,000 each. See Post #73 that compares the two contracts. This is a cap stranglehold that is unnecessary to take on if instead we could swing a deal for #5 with Atlanta while only giving up Luther Head. People keep saying that it isn't a trade for Miles but rather a trade for #4. But to get #4 you must take Miles. I find it much more palatable to trade for #5 and give up Luther Head (if the Atlanta rumor is true) versus making a NY Knicks style deal where we add a horrible contract while getting rid of only a bad contract. Didn't we learn our lesson with Mo Taylor (some people cannot be reformed and IMO Miles fits that same profile). I agree we should try to move up if possible to draft a better player, but ATLANTA IS THE WAY TO GO NOT PORTLAND!!!
That post is mistaken. He put this year's salary on there by mistake. According to hoopshype Miles' contract actually runs like: 2006-2007: 7.75 Million 2007-2008: 8.25 Million 2008-2009: 9 Million 2009-2010: 9 Million Juwan's contract was correctly posted as: 2006-2007: Almost 6.4 Million 2007-2008: Almost 6.8 Million 2008-2009: Almost 7.4 Million (Player Option) http://hoopshype.com/salaries/portland.htm http://hoopshype.com/salaries/houston.htm I still don't like Miles, but we need to get the info correct.
That would be A-okay with me. Juwan is a washed up has-been and I defended him thoroughly last season when he was injured. Lets face it. He has negative game now.
Well said. We will never get this chance again, in this era, to get a third All Star Caliber player in the draft, at reasonable salary.. As far as Darius Miles goes, If JVG is OK with the him on the team, I am all for it.
I agree to a point, but the problem is that this is a weak draft, and your chances of getting an All Star are less than in normal years. I still do the trade though, because we have limited resources to become better, and high risk-reward moves like this are the only way we are going to get where we want to be. Imo it's basically moving up 4 spots to get a better chance of getting a "all star" quality player, and swapping JHo for Miles as the bait to do. Miles does have upside whereas JHo is done pretty much............a bit of a risk, but alot of potential reward.
The top 6 players aren't considered weak. There aren't any projected franchise players in this draft, but even when there are you usually don't have a shot at them unless you have a top 3 pick. This draft is considered weak for the current slot that we have.
Alright maybe not but he had more steals than Nash and played less minutes. Give the guy some credit is all i'm saying. My apologies on the stat info.
I don't think anyone is not giving Head his credit due. He played well in his first season in which he wasn't supposed to play at all going in. But, I think many realize what Luther is and what we could get by trading him. If you can move up in the draft to land a guy that will either fill a much bigger need and/or someone that will become a good starter for the team for years, and you have to trade a role-player to do it, you make the deal. Head is a small SG who is best suited coming off the bench, hitting a couple of 3's and playing a little D. By no means is he a good fit starting and has not shown ANY ability to play the point. These types of players are much easier to replace than say a very solid to All-star quality legit starter. Luther is a real nice, young player, but he is no where near being untouchable.
Does the fact that he was 38th in the league in SPG make him a deal breaker? I think not. If he were a good enough passer to start at the point or was strong enough to be a 3rd scoring option I could understand, but 6'3" shooting guards are a dime a dozen. Maybe he'll turn into a good role player one day, but he will hardly become an impact player, which is what he could help us land (if the rumor proves to be true).
Ive been thinking that it was impossible to move Juwan so if CD can pull this off it would outstanding. Miles was playing very well before his knee injury. (almost 20 ppg, # of steals and blocks were great). His knee didnt look good after he got back but it takes a yr usually for the knee to somewhat recover. CD better get this done cuz we should have never gotten Howard in the first place.
