[Detroit Free Press] Jefferson Available?

You are 7 years too late. He was available in the (now) infamous 2001 draft where the Rockets and Carroll Dawson drafted him no. 1 only to trade him to New Jersey. But it was all good because that was the year they wound up moving three 1st round draft picks so they could wind up with one Eddie Griffin.

 

None of those guys really fit. The only one that does really is Prince but it's almost pointless going after him while retaining Battier.

If the goal is to acquire a 2/3 while retaining T-Mac it is absolutely imperative that player is able to defend SG's and/or the more difficult wing match up, like Battier does. We simply cannot ask T-Mac to fill that role since his energy and durability issues are already concerning.

Can Jefferson and Howard step in and fill that void? Can they guard the Kobe's? I'm skeptical. And for as much as I like Wallace's game he spends the majority of his time as an undersized four. A position we already have covered.

This is all why if we're aiming to land a legit 3rd star I prefer gambling on a Redd, Vince Carter, J-Rich or Joe Johnson.

 

That's not because that's what he's best at, it's because that's a weakness for that team. Wallace is a natural 3 and can pretty much guard any position on the floor besides center. There are few players in this league I'd rather see guarding Kobe.

 

And how do you propose the Rockets land one of these "legit 3rd star(s)" without giving up T-Mac or Yao?

I'm sorry, but all of these guys are on the same level as T-Mac.

 

I dont see NJ asking too much for Vince Carter....he is kinda play out over there and his contract is something they are trying to get rid of...not keep...if you are gonna gamble....is he is best bet....all they might ask for is a pick or 2 and contracts that will exp..maybe aaron or landry

 

Charlotte and Atlanta are both cash strapped and Redd/Carter are both on the block according to numerous reports regarding both.

It's unlikely, I realize that. However, we can assemble a competitive package to try to entice one of these rebuilding teams or teams looking to unload to take our package of expirings/picks/useful players. It won't be easy but it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility.

Battier/B-Jax/picks and/or Brooks seems to be the most likely package and is definitely a group of players I would be willing to part with in order to acquire a legit 3rd star.

I agree the three is his natural position but i'm sure you would also agree his perimeter skills are pretty weak. He's definitely more of a 3/4 cross with a weak outside shot. Between the streakiness of Rafer and T-Mac, adding a player with shaky perimeter skills/jump shot to our 1-2-3 rotation isn't all that enticing.

 

Hilariously. . .the Rockets could have had 2 of them
Richard Jefferson = Eddie Griffin
Prince = Nachbar [rockets picked him at 15 . . .prince was taken at 16]

Rocket River

 

How much is his contract?
Just think . . if you can manage it. . . after next year
If you not satisfied . .. you have alot t otrade with

Rocket River

 

Who was Allen Iverson traded for?
Who was Kevin Garnett traded for?
Who was Ray Allen traded for?
Who was Baron Davis traded for?
Who was Pau Gasol traded for?

It doesn't take much nowadays to land a star, the team just has to have ballz to make the deal happen.

 

Bad example but otherwise I agree 100%.

 

One thing about Thorn, he doesn't deal unless he feels like he has gotten the upper hand or equal value. Jefferson is a really good player on par with some of the top wings. Its going to take more than a avg player like Battier. Wallace is a really good young guy that defends, slashes, rebounds and blocks shots. He's going to take more than Battier also. Someone noted the cas strapped teams trying t unload players. As long as they're not over the lt threshold.

 

Off topic: I thought RealGM was banned from this site? I guess Clutch changed his mind..?

Now can we even afford Jefferson?

 

how do josh howard not fit? he brings alot more versatilities to the rockets, he can attack the basket and shoot, thats basically something rockets do not have besides mcgrady. im not saying redd, vince, j-rich or joe cant do that, but i obviously dont see how they can fit besides redd, and plus just about all of them is going to be hard to bring to houston, thats nearly impossible.

 

I'm thinking defensively. You don't often see Howard matchup up against opposing two's. Whether that's a byproduct of the Mavs having Stackhouse/Terry in their backcourt or Howard simply being unable to guard quicker two's, you be the judge. I think it's a little of both.

 

So you're telling me that Michael Redd is at the same level as T-mac? I don't even feel like addressing the rest of the players.

 

How the hell are they not at the same level? Redd has averaged 20.5 pts for his career; T-Mac 22.4 pts in his career. Neither has done squat for his team.

T-Mac is not some god-like player. Mike Newlin was absolutely right when he characterized T-Mac as a gutless coward of a player with no heart. HOW can you say that T-Mac is above the likes of Redd, Carter, Richardson, or Johnson?!

 

Cause the other teams primary focus is to stop Tmac genius. They triple team him and Tmac is one of the best at finding his open teammates.

Stop the hate.

 

Replace any of those with T-mac and you will see. The only player that led a team out the 1st round that you listed was Carter.

 

So the other teams' primary focus isn't to stop Redd or Johnson from getting open looks? Or to prevent Richardson or Carter from slashing to the basket?

Stop the love for T-Mac.