2008 Free Agents Can be Great for ROX

Does anybody remember Pietrus defending against Steve Francis several years ago and giving Francis fits?

And does anybody think he could still be an effective defender on the point?

 

I've been saying this for a while too. You absolutely have to do this if Brand were on the table. Much like when we gave up Horry, Cassell, Mark Bryant, Chucky Brown.

The nucleus of: Kenny Smith, Clyde Drexler, Mario Elie, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon seems eerily similar to a nucleus of Rafer Alston, Tracy Mcgrady, Shane Battier, Elton Brand, Yao Ming. Except all of the players currently are still in their prime for the most part and not on their last legs.

Perhaps we can do a sign and trade that offers Landry, Brooks, Hayes, Bobby Jackson. That may not be enough to get it done and if it entails giving up Scola instead of Hayes as well I'd still pull the trigger.

Get it done Morey!

 

We don't. Luther should be traded this season as an expiring contract.



By the way, I wonder if we could use the trade exception to sign and trade for Ricky Davis? If he would take 3 years and $8-10 million, I think that would be a low risk, high potential return.

 

The NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement is the biggest roadblock to teams like the Rockets, as well as others, trying to re-structure their rosters to amend for weaknesses and/or bad choices. And that's not necesarily a bad thing. It's better for the players and keeps the owners from an all-out bidding war for available talent. Why do you suppose guys like Morey are the standard for choosing a GM?

But, I digress.

There are, and will be more in the future, financial situations that preclude mass movement of talented players. Longer term contracts are standard for superstars and superstar wannabes/psuedo-superstars. Makes it increasingly difficult to sign a Shawn Marion or Mike Miller. Most franchises just can't justify "mortgaging the farm" to sign such players at their peaks and/or want nothing to do with the luxury tax. In many cases, players who want a big contract almost always end up as short term rent-a-players. moving on in a year or two, depending upon success or failure of a franchise. Player-franchise relationships are almost invariably destined to become mercenary-oriented, with little thought or effort given to building for the future. Unless you stick with drafted players and/or 2nd/3rd tier players and have an enormous amount of patience. Teams building in this fashion will have difficulty filling seats in their very expensive arenas. A declining fan base and decreasing revenues adds to the woes of players and owners.

Today's environment is simply fiscal fact of life.

For the Rockets, despite all the wishful (and unrealistic) thinking and hoping by our GM-wannabes, reality says that we might be able to sign one decent FA, e.g. a Corey Magette, and then try to fill in the rest of the holes via the draft and/or 3rd tier FAs.

The good news is we're not in this situation by ourselves - we have plenty of company. Fortunately, we have both a brilliant GM and coaching staff. IMHO, we're going to be just fine.

 

I would really look into locking Landry up for 3 years at around 3 million per, similar to the type of deal that Scola received, then try to work an S&T for Maggette. That settles our scoring from the 2nd unit right away, and you could also interchange Battier and Maggette as starters depending on whether you need firepower or defense.

That leaves us with the back-up point guard hole and possibly back-up center hole to fill. I don't really see us filling both holes with what we have left, which will be just about 2+ million of the MLE, so either of the two scenarios might play out: the staff might just decide to throw Brooks into the deep end as Rafer's back-up and watch him respond and sign a back-up center for Yao. Or we could get a workable back-up PG on the cheap and have Loren Woods to back Yao up, but God bless us if he goes down again.

Of course, if Mutombo decides to return, that gives us some insurance.

 

How can you get Maggette in a sign/trade?

 

The Rockets should go for Artest, and resign Landry, Novak. Artest would bring toughness to the rockets.

 

Why would you want another PF when we've got like a whopping 4 PFson our current roster? Does it address a need? We've Scola and Landry, who are doing the job really well. And they will only improve from a really good season. With Scola becoming 3rd top rookie and Landry came like 7th or something on the official voting.

What need does Brand help us in that a guy like Artest doesn't help us in? and Artest is cheaper and easier to get, as I think less teams will like Artest because of his risky temper, and because Brand is just a better player.

Can we please get a really good PG? What are our options? Jose Calderon seems really far-fetched. CAN WE PLEASE GET RAMON SESSIONS? This guy is really really good, I'd give the bucks like Hayes, Jackson, and Brooks just for him.

 

Elton Brand is the real deal and essentially guarantees a championship caliber team provided (the annual question) everybody stays healthy. He's a legit, 20/10 player that puts up big numbers and plays excellent defense. He would undoubtedly compliment Yao well given his defense, outstanding rebounding ability and presence around the basket.

Again, no disrespect to Scola and Landry but these guys simply aren't the player Brand is. There's no way around it. Scola and Landry have been so up-and-down that it's not even close when you compare those two to the guaranteed production coming from a star like Brand.

I see the impact KG and Gasol have on these otherwise average teams and I can't help but think "what if" if we had that kind of dynamic on this team. Can you imagine having two dominant post players on the same team, what kind of mismatches and defensive nightmares that creates? Not only that, but two players that are 10+ per game rebounders? We would absolutely dominate the paint. That's not the kind of element Scola or Landry can ever provide, as much as I love them.

I know this suggestion is unlikely but then again if the guy wants to win he knows where to go. Like I said, I would give the Clippers anybody outside of Yao, T-Mac and Battier for him. Picks, our rookies, Head, whoever would all be expendable. This kind of move can potentially put us over the top. You can call me crazy all you want but you're also the one practically begging for us to sign and give big money to a guy like Ramon Sessions, a guy that's played in what...17 games his entire career? Yeah, i'd be happy to lay down the crack pipe as soon as you do.

 

I am on the Brand bandwagon. And in our scheme next to Yao he could easily lead the league in blocks. Once again, the Rockets would wager their youth (Landry/Scola) but Brand is a force that gets you into championship contention no questions asked.

 

With two stars with questionable health...let's add a third one. Good idea.

 

And a whole lot more! Don't think we need stupid players on this roster...we already have those.

 

Brand was a workhorse before the achilles injury. It's my understanding that his ruptured tendon can heal 100% and shouldn't effect his mobility or explosivness.

 

Elton Brand is 29. That means if he opts out this is going to be his last big contract. His agent is going to go hammer and tong for the best deal, ie more money. If he takes less money I can't see him agreeing to less than $16 million in his first year.

 

If I remember right, Elton has already said he's not one to give up on a situation, meaning he'll be back with the Clippers. IMO the sun has a better chance of exploding than Rox obtaining another All-Star.

 

would Boki fit the Adelman offense? remember the "he's a slasher" thing, isn't that what this offense thrives on?

 

I think we still have Jackie Butler under contract that we can bring back as a back up. He's young, and we don't know what he's been doing with his free money. If he's been keeping in shape and playing, he would be good, if he's out of shape then he's just trade bait.

 

Yes. He's gotten steadily better and is coming into his prime. He'd be a good pickup for about $3 mill per year for 3 years.