Hey Everyone, Just got back from a breakfast with Morey inside the Rockets locker room. Summary of what he said (paraphrased of course): -He doubts Bibby will be available, saying opting out wouldn't make much sense for him. A trade is a possibility, but it would be very difficult to make one work salary-wise. -They probably won't trade the pick. Says it has little trade value and drafting the best available player is their strategy. -Not too impressed with the free agents out there. Says they're looking at trades as the way to improve the roster. Mentioned PF and PG as areas they're focusing on. -Compared Novak to Steve Kerr. Says they need him to improve defense and strength to get playing time. -Surprisingly doesn't expect Bonzi to be back. Thinks other teams will offer him more than what the Rockets can, but they'd love to have him back. That about sums it up.
In other words, the Rockets will take Bonzi back if he doesn't "opt out" but if he opts out and wants a richer deal (i.e. full MLE) they aren't going to do it. Doesn't surprise me. I agree with Morey that the FA group out there is kind of subpar. Trades definiately are the way to go if they can get it done.
Nothing about Dikembe. He did talk about VSPAN for a little bit. Said obviously Span was frustrated about his situation here and was re-evaluating whether or not to remain in the NBA because of his coveted status in Europe. Nothing much else other than to say he's a talent but they're unsure of his situation.
You mean not Peja Stojankovic? He must have angrily placed crash1579 on his ignore list or something.
Thanks for posting! I'd be surprised if anyone offered Bonzi more money considering what happened last year but if he stays or goes it doesn't really matter to me
Thanks for posting that. I'm not surprised by the comment on Bonzi. Someone will offer him more than $2.2 million, easy. I wish he had commented on Dikembe. My feeling is that he will retire. He won't want to do one more season having to deal with a new coach and the possibility of riding the pine. I'm sure Spanoulis will stay now that we have a new coach. I just called "best player available" in another thread -- I'm glad Morey agrees. It's disheartening that Morey sees trades to be the main avenue of improvement because (1) you have to give up something to get something, generally, and (2) we don't have a whole lot to give up. However, much like how our roster was completely overhauled to accommodate Van Gundy, we can probably expect it to happen again to accommodate Adelman. 2007-'08 will be a reshuffling year, not one to contend. So, imo we should probably be making roster moves now with a 2 or 3 year time horizon in mind.
V-Span is under contract, he is on the books, there is no way to get him off the books......the Rockets hold all the cards here. Hopefull Adelman will give V-Span a call an convince him that last year will not happen again, and that he will get a fair shake under Rick. DD
Remember, trades are not always done based on a "talent" exchange. Sometimes a team just wants to rid themselves of an attitude, or a team is looking for more cap flexibility (less years/money) or a team is looking to bring more balance to their roster (front court/backcourt). Trades can be made.
and you dont think they'd let him go if he asked for it? please.... if vspan wants out - and morey is implying that he may - then he'll leave. period. remove your vspan-colored glasses.
Great info, thanks. Now we'll see if Bonzi will put his money where his mouth is and stay in Houston like he claims he wants to.
Thanks for all of the information SWTsig. Hopefully Morey can pull off a couple of cunning trades. At least they know we need a PG badly, and a PF to help Yao out down low.
That would be a dumb move on the Rockets part, because his money would still count against the salary cap. He signed a 2 year deal. I believe the Rockets are letting it look like V-Span has a choice for now, hoping that he comes to his senses, but if he pushes it too far, I would be willing to bet they force the issue with him. There is no benefit to the Rockets releasing him, his money is still counting against the cap....... DD
Did he mention if the Rockets plan on resigning Chuck Hayes? And if Vspan is let go, do the Rockets still have to pay him next season?
