Nice effort actually. It would give Utah a true three next to Boozer and Battier's style is so Utah it's not even funny. AK47 goes back to PF. But, you'd have to take out Utah's first round pick and even then I don't think it's enough. In general though Utah may need to deal AK47 -- he is getting paid nearly $18 million in 2010-2011... that's a lot for a guy who is not a real superstar.
Exactly, otherwsie the Rockets dont have any potential in the pipeline. Every year is trying to trade draft pick for player. Almost a new team every year (except T-Mac & Yao). This kind of players turnovers are also killing the team.
i dont know if orlando lets darko go i know they arent too pleased with his development so far and adelman does have a way in helping euro players (hedo,peja,vlade) develop but darko for the MLE is not a bad option imo but if that happens your scenario of francis will only work if he comes for the LLE (do we have one?) or the vet min which i dont tihnk will happen. i doubt we can split the MLE and get both players here.
it would be really interesting if we play yao/artest/battier/wells/tmac, on defense end, yao's in the paint, all other guys are interchangable,
Snyder is an animal, he WILL play a Bonzi-like role for this team under Adelman. There is too much potential for conflict with Artest, McGrady and Battier on the same team... yes they are versatile but they are all most efficient at the 3 spot. I'd rather have Spanoulis and Snyder making small contributions off the bench than an erratic Artest, who could quit on the team any time. Don't forget Artest was unhappy with his touches in Sacramento. That said, we definitely need a talent upgrade on this team. This trade won't make us a great regular season team, but it makes us very dangerous come playoff time when Artest locks down and consistently isolates, and McGrady handles the ball much more than our primary PG. Depending on what role Artest will play on this team, I would do it.
Not a real superstar? While still valuable, they guy is not the even the 3rd best player on his team. That's a CRAPLOAD of money for AK47.
I agree... too much $$ for him. But he is very unique ... I'd call him the best role player in the league, but role players don't get that kind of jack.
I would think that if Artest comes, Battier goes, perhaps in a trade for a 4. Artest, Tmac, Battier and Wells are all 2-3. None is really suited for the 4. Tmac is staying, Wells may stay. If we get Artest, that makes Battier trade bait. He is already trade bait, for a real 4. We just don't need him as bad at that position, when we have a big need up front. The other deal they talked about - something with Seattle, with Battier for Wilcox +, could make more sense, then. Of course we asked about Rashard, but so did several other suitors, with more assets and better picks. The Wilcox mention stood out. This dovetails with Howard for James, as well. We have to fill the hole at 4, and Battier is the only asset with enough value to pull one.
if we have artest, we do not need wells either. artest=wells+battier if wells pick up his option, it's OK, but we do not have to pay him more if we have artest.
All this talk about Battier or anyone for Wilcox needs to stop. He doesn't complement Yao in any way, can't rebound, and can't defend (other than being a weakside shot blocker). Battier on the other hand moves very well without the ball, is our best perimeter shooter along with Luther Head, and our most consistent player (which was hard to notice in a JVG offense). It's also wrong to assume the likelihood of Bonzi coming back is more than 25%... Battier isn't going anywhere unless we are looking at filling more than a need.
This is not the AK of two years ago. His value is low right now, to the point where, performance-wise, Battier for AK is roughly an equal swap. If we got Artest at SF, swapping Battier for AK at that point would be more about both HOU and UT filing needs, not upgrading talent. So if we're just trading talent-for-talent, there's got to be some incentive for taking on that ridiculous max contract. Getting rid of Juwan's contract helps, but to me, the pick in this year's draft seals the deal.
3 players that barely played last year and a draft pick for the opportunity to have 3 of the top 20 defensive players (yes Hayes) on the same team?! Very exciting on paper.
It doesn't require a brain to know that the trigger must be pulled. I would try to get Justin Williams or Quincy Douby in the deal also.
I will use head rather than V-span if I was les. V-span may be a great pg with in 1 or 2 years that Rockets need very much. But head is only a solid sharp shooter.
