No doubt, that's why I liked the Portland deal better. Even though we'd have to take on Miles' absurd contract, we'd at least have our starting 2 in Roy and one the best 6th men in the league (when healthy) subbing in for T-Mac...
Losing Luther Head during his rookie contract years is just uncool... otherwise this should be a really good deal.
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1374 So finally we hear something that will explain why the Rockets would still make the jump, even if they "suspect" that Roy "might" be around at 8. I didn't want to say this earlier, because I knew there would be a bunch of hopefuls (hoping that Roy will still be around by the time the 8th pick comes around). What I was thinking was, if Boston and Minny were so set on their picks, then why in the world would they NOT trade down?? Their "picks" right now, if certain, are not top 8 material, so you know someone would fall that another team would be interested in trading up to get. This is why the Rockets can't just sit back and wait. The only think I see that could keep us from pulling the trigger on this deal is if Charlotte or Portland draft Roy. Otherwise, it's looking more promising...especially with the potential that Minny and/or Boston will move.
Right, this does makes more sense now knowing that Boston wants to move out of the 7. This all but guarentees Roy not being there at 8. Heck, I wouldn't be suprised if someone moved up to 7 to snag Brewer, or worse yet Sheldon, knowing full well about our trade plans with ATL...
What about Minny and Boston. Roy makes about as much sense to the T-wolves as anybody. And either of the teams could trade down and still get a PG if they want one.
Morrison is the guy the Blazers want and I think they are worried about him going to Charlotte. Bargnani should drop to 4 if he doesn't go 1.
And, Icehouse, you may have just signaled the wake-up call of all wake-up calls. Just because Minny & Boston aren't interested in drafting BRoy doesn't mean they wouldn't be interested in trading the pick to someone who, in fact, does want to snag him.
http://www.nba.com/draft2006/consensus.html Nice page with mocks from 8 sources. ESPN Insider also seems to reflect the ATL/HOU Roy/Williams swap, although I can't read their comments on having Roy at 5 and Williams at 8.
Please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen... I'm as annoyed as the next guy about losing Luther, but if it gets us a guy who will be a legit starting 2 for years and years to come, that's really not much to be giving up. As long as Luther doesn't turn into Gilbert Arenas 2.0, of course... now THAT would suck. Then all we'd need would be a backup point and maybe a shakeup at the 4...
Minnesota and Boston have probably narrowed their choices to Foye and MWilliams because they believe Roy will be off the board. Roy is better than either Foye or MWilliams. More of a point guard than the former, less so than the latter, but a terrific competitor and 6'6" to boot. So CD doesn't have the luxury of standing around with his thumb up his a$$. And again, losing Luther won't hurt as much with our other options with the MLE (Mike James) or part of it (V-span + ??)
Notice how espn insider also has Roy going to ATL and Sheldon coming to Houston. The plot thickens. http://www.nba.com/draft2006/consensus.html
I'm not as worried about a team trading up into the top 7 to get Sheldon. Most seem to think the Hawks are dumb to take him so high. I don't see anyone giving up extra stuff just to get him.
The fact that these teams are actively looking to trade down when it’s very likely Roy will be available, strongly indicates that they are not interested in him. This is one of those drafts where every team knows what player the other teams want. If you believe the reports that the Rockets want Roy badly, then there’s no reason not to believe the same reports from the same reporters that Minnesota wants Foye and Boston wants Williams. If these teams (Portland, Atlanta, Minnesota) are able to use this knowledge to their advantage, why can’t the Rockets do the same? I say call their bluff. If Atlanta or Minnesota go to us and say “we know you want Brandon Roy, so give us Luther Head and #8”, go right back to them and say “we know you want Williams/Foye” To me, the risk/reward of calling their bluff and possibly ending up with Roy, while keeping Head, is far better than if we give into their demands and end up with Roy, while losing Head+Brewer or any of the top prospects that may slip to #8(Gay, Thomas, etc.)
Not only that, I can't see a team altering their draft around "screwing" another team, especially when it will cost them something in return. Unless another team is really high on Sheldon and would really desire to have him on their team, this won't happen. But if someone else WERE high on him and just not talking about it, and it would "just so happen" to screw the Rockets, then they get to kill two birds with one stone. But I would image that Atlanta would just take him at 5 if there were ANY possibilty that another team would pick him. So rest assured, if another team moves above us, Atlanta will be doing their research (and the Rockets as well, I'm sure) to make sure they wouldn't be "screwed" either (though, that's more of a moot point--I don't see that someone could be "screwed" with getting Roy ).
I'm fine with that too. If we get the #5 pick we can either get Bargaini, LA, Roy, Morrison or Gay. I would gladly give up Head for either one of those players, especially if we use the MLE on another guard.
