10/18-JACKSON, THE WARRIORS & A TICKED OFF ROCKET- When word hit Houston that Golden State matched the contract offer to Marc Jackson, very few around the Rockets were shocked, but several people where disappointed, especially considering how long the Warriors took to reach the decision. A Rockets source said the team knew something was working, and they knew the risks in offering a "matchable" contract to a rising talent. Jackson, however was not as civil, but will be reporting, after all he got what he wanted in a six year guaranteed contract. The question remains how long does he remain a Warrior? Golden State must hang on to him for basically 90 days (actually Dec 15th), and word is the Warriors matched not only because they wanted to keep a talented player, but they were fearful of injury which seems to hit the Warriors front court about 10 games in every year. Its been said if Jackson plays anywhere below his ability, something the Warriors feel they know, he'll be traded off, and it won't be to Houston, rather the highest bidder. Jackson's Warrior's teammates told media they were confident Jackson would come in, and fall back into the routine and be an effective part of the team. Warriors sources are not so confident. The Rockets on the other hand have until midnight eastern, to use their medical exception, or they lose the rights to use it. There is talk the team may add often traveled Chris Gatling, but the Rockets seem reluctant to add another undersized forward to the roster, and would rather add a center. As recently as yesterday talk surfaced the Rockets were exploring trading the exception to the Miami Heat for a re-signed Anthony Mason, and moving Mason on to Milwaukee in exchange for Scott Williams. The Heat would acquire even more exception room in the deal, and another draft choice. The Bucks would land the coveted Mason, and Williams would add to the front court of Houston and not be a burden on the cap as he's a free agent next year. Heat sources acknowledge it as possible, and Bucks sources say its interesting, but they hadn't heard it said around the team. Scott Williams is a 6'10 245 lbs PF/C. He's from UNC and has 12 years experience. He averaged 6.1 ppg and 5.5 rpg starting at PF for the Bucks last season.
I would be shocked if anyone traded for Marc Jackson, especially if his numbers dropped. a guaranteed contract of 24 million dollars over 6 years is just going to turn off to many teams who lack cap space and who are worried about the luxury tax. By the way, it was obvious the Warriors waited this long just to screw the Rockets over. Especially after hearing Cowens remarks saying he wasn't going to do the Rockets any favor. I say screw Golden State. Hopefully we can get some help in here up front.
No 24/6 is a bargain for any C/Pf that can even play a little. There will be interest in him even if he totally sandbags for 3 months. The x-factor is his trade veto for up to 1 year, he could veto until he gets an offer to a team he wants to play for. The poetic justice is he can screw GSW into settling for less than what they would have gotten on a strait sign and trade (had they not gone into the right of 1st refusal route he would not have this veto). He can just veto, veto, veto, until he is going to a good team he wants to play for (say Lakers, Knicks, Bucks, Magic except for sadly the one he really wants to play for, us ). I hope he screws them on all accounts.
Desert Scar, The Warriors couldn't have done a sign-and-trade with Jackson even if he was unrestricted. The only way they could sign him (restricted or not) was by using their $4.5M exception, and the CBA doesn't let you use the exception to sign-and-trade someone.
It is always a good idea to trade an all-star for a scrub with injury issues. Damn, bskball amazes me once again. Do they pay you to bring this garbage to cc.net?
Scott Williams is making $4.6m; Mason wants the mid-level exception ($4.5m); Houston's DPE is $3.25m; Houston would have to add a contract (approx $1m) to the DPE in order for this to work, unless I'm missing something
Yeah, I'm not sure the numbers quite match up for this. Anyway, I would rather have Mason than Williams, if Miami wants the medical exception. I didn't know it could be traded though. Does anyone know the rules on trading a medical exception, and doesn't ours expire on Monday? B
B, My understanding is that the medical exception (DPE) can be used to take on more salary than we're giving out (much like a traded player exception). For instance, we can receive a player that makes $5 mill & send out a player that makes $1.75 mill (1.75 + 3.25 mill). The team that recieves the $1.75 mill player from us would also receive a $3.25 mill traded player exception to be used within one year. All this means is that the DPE becomes a traded player exception, once it leaves our hands. I believe this to be correct, but you might want to run it by Crispee.
I know it's from a not-so-reiliable source, but I would love to get Scott Williams on the team. Only problem is that I can't think of any player that I would want to give up to make the salaries match...
oh yeah if collie starts to suck, ship him too. Maybe they'll add more to the package and we'll get some stud at center... sigh if we only had jackson then we wouldn't have such baaaaad headaches this time around
I think adding Scott Williams would be a great move for the Rockets. He gives them the one thing they really needed all last year -- an enforcer. Someone to come in and make sure the other team doesn't beat up too much on Francis and Mobley. When our star guards drive the lane, they can oftentimes get themselves beat up pretty bad. We don't want to have those guys get injured. Scott Williams can come in and give some hard fouls. I mean, he was suspended from Game 7 vs. Philly last year (which was total bull***t) for taking down Iverson after Philly was beating up on some of the Bucks' stars. Our big men this year are weak in the sense that they don't know how to foul HARD. Williams would be a valuable addition to the team. And he's off the books (just like Walt) after this season. It would probably only cost us Collier (if Rudy's willing to give him up). Williams can shoot the 15-foot jumper and bang down low. He'd be a good complement at center to Cato. I'm for it.
Swopa, do you know if they would have the 90 day wait period regardless if they went the ROFR route (as they did) or initially signed him with their exemption?
This IS BSKball we are talking about here so take it for what its worth. That being said, I would welcome Scott Williams here based on the fact he is a viable option and he is a free agent next year. However, Id much rather see them bring in Gatling for a year.
