Have you heard anything about the status of the Medical Exception? In other words, how far along is it, does it look like we'll get it, & when that might happen? With training camp just around the corner, I'd sure hate to see Jackson miss too much of it, assuming that we get him of course. With the signing of Torres, do you think that the Rockets would even consider making the trade for Sura/GS agreeing to not match our offer to Jackson in exchange for Walt , as we'd speculated previously, or is CD as high on Torres as he's been saying in the press? If that's the case, do you think that GS would accept a future #1 draft pick as compensation for not matching our offer to Jackson? Is the deal for Jahidi White still cooking & if so, what's the status of it? Sorry to be such a pest, but I hate being in the dark.
CD is not gonna offer Walt unless he KNOWS White is off the table. That might be the deal now that MJ is on a comeback and no real big men are on the team besides White. If thats the case CD would definitely trade Walt for Sura. He's a much better all around player and would serve as a good floor leader for the second string, not to mention insurance incase Mobley got hurt. Torres was a good pickup, but he'll be a rookie in a year we're supposed to make the playoffs. I would've thought Mookie would be on the block. My money is on GS taking a 1st rounder, though. I don't think GS is that uncomfortable with Sura's play. CD and Rudy have said on the record that they really like Jackson. He fits Rudy's "versitle" type player with the ability to play the 4 and 5 effectively. When he was getting ROY attention last year, it was at the 5. They feel he'll be that much more effective at the 4. But thats just my stupid/ignorant opinion.
Last I heard was: 1. White deal is "oh, that's probably off" according to the best source I have in Houston. 2. Despite a vertible plethora of SF (and others who can play the three), Walt is not going to be an easy guy to pry out of a Rocket uni. CD and RT do not want to unload him now. The actual words were quoted to me as "not in the team's best interest at present". (Also, apparently Steve and Mobes have a kinda thing with Walt. They were real tight early last year, and then had a bit of a falling out at one point, now I guess they are tight and right again. ) Damn their souls! 3. From everything I have heard since the end of the season, Jackson wanted to come to a young,dynamic team and he really liked Houston. Then the spin merchants and naysaying started. Then CD said he could not get it done (which was true). Then Taylor drops the shoe and we are back at square one again. Personally I think if we offered Jackson the $3.25M, GSW will not match it. Personal opinion only (also possibly as ignorant and stupid as "I'm a pep ...." ) But .... and this is the big ..... BUT .... if we offered a pick to GSW (to waive their restriction rights) and we offered Jackson a lighter contract. I think they both would take it. The question is , where do we want to place our gamble? (A) a light contract (3 years, say, with a player option on the third year @ a tiny $2.5 Million per year) for a creditible player (with a possible breakout and smash-grab talent) only to lose him in two years for bigger money, plus the value of the pick and we are getting awfully short on picks .... or, (B) do we give Jackson a four year contract starting at $3.25M ($16-$17M/4 years) and gamble that GSW will not match it plus that Jackson will accept and produce as suggested. 4. Mooch's contract is apparently "settled" per my man in Greenway. Therefore, Sura or Mookie is not an issue anymore. Too bad because although I like Moochie ... in a trade with GSW (aptly and ironically I use that term to shorten Gun Shot Wound, in the ER) we may have lost Walt and Minnie the Moocher, we would have picked up veteran Mookie (contract space next season) and much needed Jackson (for very likely a lighter contract than what he would cost now IF we could get it down now).
Great work once again, oeilpere. Question: Since the Wiz don't appear to be willing to part with White now (not surpising), is Etan Thomas available? And if so, do yo think the Rocks would be intersted in him? He's a little undersized (well, as undersized as 6'9", 260lbs could be ) for C, but I think he could be effective in a Ratliff-like role.
Thomas is high on their list from what I have read. Have no idea otherwise. My gut feeling is that he is just not available and if he was, well ... he is not our answer at shoring up some spots. You know, I think CD has one more move in him and then I think they will go with what they got. The acquisition of Marc Jackson could be the final stop. I think I could live with that (although, to me, Walt remians a highly visible redundancy).
Oeilpere, Walt is a valuable commodity with his contract expiring at the end of the year. Is it safe to say that he will most likely be dealt sometime this year. Also, would the pick that we sent to GS be a first rounder, to me that sounds a little steep for a guy that can be called unproven.
It's just in that Norris has signed his contract for $25 mill. The Rockets will make an announcement within the next 2 days. So what do you guys think? Is he worth it?
OP- In your opinion, what will the Rockets roster look like? Will we make the playoffs? If not, are you the least bit worried about having to give the Grizz our potential lottery pick?
He is not worth 25 million. To tell you the truth, I do not believe he is worth the 4 year, 12.5 million that has been hinted on numerous news outlets.
I don't mean to doubt you but what are the terms? If it's truly $25,000,000 I hope it is spread over 7-8 years. Where did you get your information? Gee, I don't suppose you are "Hoopla" who posted this exact same message on "therocketguy" yesterday are you? Actually, I changed my mind, I DO mean to doubt you.
OP, Thanks for the update. If the Rockets made it a guaranteed contract, imho GS might not match it & we could keep the draft pick, since they already have so many guaranteed contracts. Is that something the Rockets would consider or is it too big a risk to take? Also, do the Rockets have any idea when the NBA will rule on the medical exception?
