How does the signing of Bonzi affect our tradable assets?

On Artest, I guess no one has posted about this. On ESPN 2 the other day when they were talking about the Reggie Theus signing, they said that there was absolutely zero chance that Artest would come to Houston. They said that Houston really pursued him but that the Maloofs absolutely refused to give him to Adelman. They also mentioned that Petrie the GM wanted the deal and wanted Spanoulis.

They also said that there was the chance that Artest went to Miami but that Theus made it clear if he was taking the job he wanted Bibby and Artest, which led to them saying that apparently Bibby is staying as well as Artest "at least for the time being."

Basically they said the Rockets trade was done, contingent that Spanoulis was included, but that the Kings' owners absolutely will not help Adelman and nixed the deal. So take it for what's it worth because ESPN's "insider's" are notoriously inaccurate, but from that there is zero chance Artest becomes a Rocket, unless it's as a free agent down the road.

 

Hopefully for a player that won't quit on you...............

 

damnb the maloofs if this is true! man i really want artest..only if we can re-sign him that is

 

I thought T-Mac's preferred position was SG, but defensively he and Battier switched the 2-3 depending on the matchup. And given that Bonzi is also more of a 2 than 3, Battier is our best option at the starting SF at this point.

Any trade of Battier would be conditioned by a second trade that gets the Rockests a serviceable SF in return, IMO.

 

bonzi's advantage is overpowering SG's on the post. i don't see him playing the 3 that much.

because of that, i think luther is going to be the next to go.

 

McGrady has said many times that he prefers to play SF.

 

A second trade isn't neccessary. The free agent market is loaded with servicable small forwards (Barnes, Pietrus, MoPete, Gerald Wallace, Nocioni, Stackhouse, Luke Walton, Posey, Mason, Finley). All would could be had for the MLE.

 

You know, Artest is really in the driver's seat on his deal. All he's got to do is say he's opting out and not going to re-sign with Sacramento or whatever team Sacramento is trying to trade him to if it is not where he wants to go. Then all of a sudden Sac is trying to get whatever they can for him.


Here's an idea. Why not package Rafer, Sura, Head, our #1 to the Knicks for Jamal Crawford and David Lee? They get cap relief, a young cheap shooter, and another draft pick, we get a couple of useful guys. Or how about packaging Sura, Head, and Snyder and the pick to Philly for Dalembert? There's your big rebounding, defensive, shotblocking 4/5.

Short of a trade, it looks like Darko is going to be sitting out there. We could possibly use some of these guys to send to Seattle in a 3 way if Rashard goes to Orlando to facilitate a S&T with Orlando sending back to Seattle Sura, Snyder (expirings) plus a pick or whatever and have Darko signed and delivered here. I think Bonzi opting in creates a ton of options for us on the trade market.

 

argh.

damnit.

i hope espn is just inaccurate.

 

I remember during the Magic/Pistons series that the Magic GM Smith was quoted by the game announcers as saying that Darko would get offered up to $40 million in the free agent market by some team and at least $30 million by several teams. They also quoted him as saying the Magic would match any offer up to $40 million, but that they probably would not match any offer over that.

That means more than the MLE, so a sign and trade would be necessary, but it also means he's available for the right money. Of course that would be a hard one for Money ball Morey, because it's a huge gamble.

I actually like Darko quite a bit. I think he can be a damn good defensive player, a force on defense, and still give you 15 points and 8 rebounds. But I really see him as a center that plays away from the basket or faces up more, while also having a post game. I just don't think he fits well as a PF. Watching him in Orlando he didn't seem comfortable next to Howard at PF, he seemed much more comfortable when he was in the middle on D. So I'm not sure how he would fit with Yao. But he would be a an enormous upgrade at PF over Wilcox or any player like that IMO.

 

Sorry, I meant a second deal, be it trade or free agency. But you're right, I can also see the Rockets trading Battier for an upgrade at power forward, then signing a small forward with the MLE.

 

Gosh darn it. That Artest trade would have been a steal and made Battier expendable. If we could trade Battier/Head for Camby, we'd be all set.

 

I don't know, usually they are, but they emphasized that the Maloofs were absolutely adamant that Adelman will not get any help. They said that Petrie was all for the trade as long as he got Spanoulis. They made it sound like the Adelman-Maloof split was very ugly.

I think this also begs the question, many fans here seem to think Spanoulis is hot garbage, (although I think he's got great potential), but if Petrie, a guy that has absolutely tremendous scouting ability wants Spanoulis so bad, then perhaps the Rockets and many fans should strongly reconsider wanting him gone?

I cannot really think of anyone in the GM ranks that scouts better than Petrie.

 

I would take camby that would be a big help too yao

 

Potential Trade Fodder:-: Bonzi, Skip, Novac, V. Span, Battier, Sura, Head, Snyder, John L III and Hayes
So at this point in time it becomes difficult to know where we are going and if it will take one or two offseasons to get there. The makeup of the team roster could be in for a drastic makeover or just a tweaking!!

 

IMO, just because Bonzi is coming back doesn't mean that automatically any of our players are expandable. We are in a sort of 'win now' mode, but if we trade away Head and Snyder we are essentially trading assests which could become even better next season and improve by leaps and bounds (in particular Snyder). Unless there is an offer that can't be resisted, I want to stick to our guards and draft a big PF.

 

Exactly!

 

Camby is a center, and I don't think he will play PF for Houston.

 

I cannot see the Rockes moving Battier unless it really improves us. He is a great player for this team. He is a valid moneyball choice and has a good contract for the Rockets. He is still only 28 and healthy.

I hope we keep him.

 

Bonzi is very easily the third best player on the Rockets. There's no reason to believe why won't play as well as the last time he played with Aldemen, when he averaged 14/7 during the regular season and 20/12 in the playoffs. This will be his second year in Adlemen's offense, so he'll only get better. Come playoffs this year, I expect three 20-10 guys in Yao, Tmac, and Bonzi.