Portland plans to buy out Francis's contract?

Even so, I don't think he's coming here. We've already got James, Alston, Lucas, the new kid, & Spanoulis (IF he stays). Five's a crowd. Too bad. I wanted to see him back w/ Yao.

 

Um obviously Rockets know more than we do and completely aware that they r loaded with PGs. Maybe something is in the works to get rid of Alston n Spanoulis. I highly doubt Rockets try to get Francis though. And yes we have no PF rite now so something mite be in works to acquire a PF via free agency or trades. Give some time guys, making deals is not that easy.

 

I do recall me posting:

can you even get excited???

 

francis is useless now. the only reason francis was good before was because of his altheticism. hes got a very low bball iq. if yall thought luther was bad at running breaks, just watch francis. we dont need francis now especially since we have two players better than him in Mike James and Aaron Brooks.

 

I liked Francis before but with 7 PGs on the team now he doesn't make a lot of sense.

DD

 

id rather have Rafer running the point instead of Francis thats the truth and im the biggest rafer basher out there.

 

Right. Stop bringin' another guards. We need PF!

 

We have a lot of tradeable assets. If we want to get Francis here we will. We can always make room for the guy at the MLE. He wants to play here.

 

My autographed Francis throwback jersey isn't worth the pen he used to sign it.

 

Franchise is going to be a hell of a bargain for some team but unfortunately our PG bus is full.

 

I think its pretty clear, or maybe I'm just clinging on to hope, that we won't be keeping all of these guards. I don't think V-Span is coming back and I think we will be shopping Head/Rafer and maybe even Snyder. I also think we may put Lucas into the mix or just flat out cut him. In any case, my point is, certainly at this point getting Francis is a mistake. However, if we jettison some of the guards we have in exchange for a power forward and thus get a PF via trade as opposed to using our MLE, then I say yes go get Steve...maybe even for the vet's min then we don't need to use the MLE on him!

 

Well, the situation with Francis will be the same as with somebody like Chris Webber. He'll be able to sign on for the minimum and let Portland foot the bill for the rest of his money. He's getting that money for the next two years regardless.

That being the case, we don't have to worry about our MLE. It's entirely possible to use the MLE on whomever and then sign Francis for the minimum. Of course, that doesn't make any sense whatsoever unless they unload some of our current guards.

I really think that they need to address the power forward position through trade. Right now Battier, Head, Alston, Spanoulis, Lucas, Snyder and Sura's contract are all expendable. I'd even add our picks Brooks and Landry to that list, but if the Rockets believe those picks will develop into serviceable assets then right now would be the worst time to trade them. They need a chance to prove they can play in the NBA. The same goes for Steve Novak.

Now, whether or not those players I've listed are all desirable to other teams is an entirely different story. Still, if Francis can be had so cheaply and we're his number one target, I'd be fine with seeing any or all of those guards shipped out in some package for a serviceable power forward so that we are free to sign Francis at the minimum. I love Battier, but I'd also be fine with seeing him shipped out for the right price because this free agent market is loaded with small forwards.

I know Steve Francis isn't as good as he used to be, but I believe if he could get steady minutes we'd find he has plenty more left in the tank. I also think the years since he left the Rockets have sufficiently humbled him to the point he'd fit in with our other stars just fine. I really don't see how you can say no to a player like Francis for the minimum. Even if it doesn't work out, you lose nothing for doing so.

 

I say do it as long as its the ABSOLUTE minimum! Dude is a hometown boy and will be active in the community again. Not to mention his skillset would be killer as scorer/setup man (playing PG or SG) for our 2nd unit. There's nothing to lose here and if your worried about chemistry..I think Franchise realizes that he's playing at home again and will act accordingly.
And besides, can anyone disprove that we are still to this day in dire need of athleticism?

 

Sell popcorn at Fonde.....leave the rockets out of your legacy please.

 

We have a LOT of guards but if we can get Steve he will arguably be the best one (besides T-Mac of course when he's at the 2). If we can get him for the MLE I think that would be great. A good PF we are probably going to have to trade for anyway so I don't see how having Franchise back will hurt us.

 

full? As in full of crap?

 

Exactly my thinking i would pumped if we got franchise but the truth is we need to get a pf first then see where we are at but hopefully when we get this point guard situation figured out i can see us gettin him for cheap... he'd be great comin off the bench... definetly still has somethin in the tank...

 

I don't get why Portland would buy out Steve's contract. If they're going to pay him off, they might as well pay him to play. Portland has a bunch of young guys on that team and I'd think a veteran guard who's been an all-star would be useful on such a young team. The guy is getting a bad rap that he doesn't deserve.

 

I agree. Francis should beg for a spot and use this experience as a way to revitalize his career. The way the Blazers roster is currently carved out will allow Francis to get 20+ppg. I wouldn't be surprised if Francis sticks with the Blazers and has a mini-resurgence. He has the perfect coach to help facilitate it too.

 

Because like the scouts say, you can't teach bad judgment.