I hate to start a trade thread but I feel it's necessary considering our desperate situation. With Yao out for an extended period of time and T-Mac's status uncertain, we're realistically facing a possible deja vu disaster. We absolutely have to find another scorer if we have any hopes of salvaging this soon-to-be brutal Yao less stretch of basketball we're about to endure for at least the next 6 weeks. The last thing in the world any of us want to see are the playoffs slipping out of reach again do to freakin injuries. That being said, I really feel it's time we consider all possibilities - regardless of how big the name or contract may be or how problematic of a player you may consider them to be. We simply need another scorer. Zach Randolph Richard Jefferson Ron Artest Corey Maggette Antawn Jamison Jamal Crawford Rashard Lewis (to a lesser degree since he's out two months) Mike Miller Mike James (the inevitable mention) Ricky Davis Larry Hughes Stephon Marbury (yeah, I really said that) Al Harrington Hakim Warrick Pau Gasol Stephen Jackson Chucky Atkins (not that great of a scorer but playing very well) Gerald Wallace Mo Williams Those are just some names to that come to mind. Can you think of any others? I know the first thing some of you will do is point out how trades involving names such as these cannot be done without including Yao or T-Mac's salary. That's not true. Some of these players aren't max players and even some of the max players can still realistically be dealt without touching Yao or T-Mac's salary.
Can't see how a trade would work out. Who would be so kind to help us out and what about the salary cap? Best bet is probably tank.
I'm more concerned first with who will play center. Hopefully Bonzi can become dominant, TMAC can play, and Head can develop into a legit 3rd scorer. At this point, the 8 seed is the best to hope for.
I would say only if TMAC is not able to come back soon. With 16 wins even if we lose most of the rest of our games we would probably be barely ahead of our pick last year. Plus I'd rather take the opportunity to develop our young guys by seeing them learn how to win...even if that meant an 8 seed or even a high lottery pick.
Here's the only possible trade partner for McGrady: the Knicks. McGrady straight up for Marbury or Francis or some other bloated, garbage contracts from the Knicks would probably work out, even with McGrady's degenerative back condition that will probably force him to retire from organized ball before his contract is up. So, what do you guys think about a Marbury/Alston PG tandem?
This is the NBA, anything is possible. I'm not even talking about dealing McGrady since it's highly unlikely anybody would take on his contract and ailing back. I'm talking about a deal that would get us a third big contract/big name player without touching Yao or T-Mac's salary. Risky I know, but that's the way it goes. As long as Yao is out and McGrady's status remains up in the air we are a BAD basketball team. Seriously, i'm sure it's not exactly a distant memory to any of you as to how terrible we really were last year without Yao and T-Mac. Do any of you really think adding Wells and Battier is going to make that big of a difference on a team without a scorer or go-to-guy? If salvaging this season and our playoff hopes remain a priority then something has to happen.
when you say all possiblities, I hope you dont mean trading bum kneed Yao to the lakers for their entire front court and walton.
Rest Yao and Tmac thoroughly for the rest of the season. Tank. Draft Durant, Noah, or Yi. Go for championship next year. The worst case scenario is if Bonzi plays well and we miss the lottery, since Bonzi's going to ditch up next year, leaving us back to where we started. As long as we have two superstar salaries, we'll never be able to get another decent player.
Of course not. Never in a million years would I seriously suggest we trade Yao. As for McGrady, i'm just assuming we're "stuck" with him given his health and contract. The idea is to package our other assets and try to come up with something big similar to what the Nuggets did to steal AI away from Philly.
Our first round pick of next year may have some value now. Knowing Rockets Managment, they may trade that for some known commodity.
A team of Mike James (w/o trade kicker) and in shape Bonzi would have still been a semi competitive team. The whole win now approach which this current group is looking bleak, so having a Rudy Gay or Thabo Sefalosha getting minutes and experience would have been good for both the present and the future. Rafer Alston just changes the whole complexion of the team He might be the #1 streetball draft pick but in this league he might be the 40th guard option. Its hard to forecast what will happen with an out of shape Bonzi or ailing Tmac. My heart says trade Tmac for draft picks or whatever you can get but not sure if a team would even want him the way he is now. Don't feel management has it in them to deal him this season anyways. My strategy would be to play everyone much as possible to showcase them for trades. Then keep feeding Juwan and Bonzi the ball to spike their scoring numbers to enhance their value I'm wondering what a package of either: Alston/Howard/Wells/Snyder + a young player like Novak/Spanoulis + a pick would bring in? Either way the Rockets should feel compelled to head deep into luxury tax land and keep the team at the level it needs to be. They didnt count on Yao and Tmac being out sure but neither did the fans. Do the right thing and spend.
