Just hear me out... Disclaimer...this came to me only in the event of the Rox not getting the signatures they need to draft Yao... I know you can pretty much pencil in Marcus Camby in for around 60 -65 games...its a given. BUT, if Vescey is correct (who knows) and Layden has offered Camby and the #7 for the # 1 and salary filler, and we decide not to take Yao... One thing seems for sure, we are going to trade the pick if Yao's homeboys don't give us the guarantees we want right? Apparently, Jay Williams isn't part of our plans, therefore, the next best slot is the #3. Is there really going to be that much difference between the guy who goes #3 and the guy who goes #7? I know Michael Jordan was a 3 the same year that Alvin Robertson was a 7...I'm not saying that can't happen...but is there really a difference between Caron Butler or Dunleavy and Gooden or Wilcox or Nene? Who knows... What I do know is that Marcus Camby , as injury prone as he is, can play and has put up some decent numbers. Forget for a minute (as hard as this may be for some of you) that this is the Knicks we are dealing with. I hate them too (i only have knicks season tix because I love NBA hoops) but this trade (assuming the Odom, Mcdyess etc scenarios dont work out) isn't terrible. We end up with Camby instead of Rice...we win We get a top 7 pick and since we aren't taking Yao or Williams, its a tossup as to who will be a better pro...the guy at 7 or the guy at 3. I'm sure most of you will print this out and use it as a dartboard but ...what the hell
Well, I understand what you're saying. If the Rockets determine that acquring Ming is too risky based on issues with the Chinese government (NOT based on questions about his talent), then the Rockets are going to have to start looking for trades, unless they actually feel that Caron Butler is a #1 pick in the draft, which I don't. Camby and the #7 would definitely fill the center position for the Rockets and probably the small forward position with the seventh pick. When Camby is healthy he's probably the fifth or sixth best center in the NBA. So, if he was 100% healthy, I think this would just about be the Rockets best trade option. But, I think the injury risk is just too much to part with a #1 pick.
NJ, if we are going to move the #1, we must not get a package that has any injury concerns. Injuries, as we have known for too long, is part of the game, but actually taking a known fragile guy is not what you want to do with your #1 pick. It seems better to forget about the signatures and agree to have Ming for 70 games and the playoffs.
Problem is, it may be 70 games and NO playoffs...maybe 50 and the playoffs...we won't know if they dont tell us ahead of time. Regardless, I realize Camby is a huge injury risk but his game would fit in perfectly with Steve, Cat etc. He may be the best help defender in the league and his offensive game is solely manufactured on offensive rebounds and putbacks so he wouldn't be the type of guy who needs a ton of touches.
I was a huge Camby fan when he was at Umass. But in the NBA . .. he is ok . .but not a superstar Rocket River
No thanks on Camby or Spree... If Houston can't get the sigs needed for Ming, I say we draft Jwill then trade him to the highest bidder (which apparently there would be plenty). Just tell Steve we are using Jwill as trade bait to get experieced players here and he should be OK with that. IF NOT Trade Steve, it's not his place to make all the Front Office Decisions. For the Record I'm... For drafting Ming if the politics are right Against trading Steve unlike many on the board Against trading for Odom unless it doesn't involve the #1
NJR - I haven't looked in great detail, but on the surface if the Rockets have the option of "auctioning" off either Jay Williams or Yao Ming I'd have to believe they could get better than Camby and #7. I wouldn't hang up on the Knicks, but I sure would push for adding Kurt Thomas, a future NY first (maybe top 3 or 5 protected) and them taking back Rice + fill to balance Camby and Thomas. While I agree there may not be much difference between 3 and 7, there could be alot of difference in what vets are offered.
gater...I agree...they probably could (and should) get better than Camby and the #7. In fact, my first instinct was to suggest taking Thomas, the #7 and another player or pick but I don't think many guys on here value Thomas as high as they should. To me, if we aren't taking Ming or Williams, the Rockets need to look long and hard at a deal with NY, Den or anyone else who is talking.
NJR - The Knicks have to see/hear the Odom rumors. They must realize that Camby alone is not enough. My gut level feeling is that the Knicks recognize that they do not have much the Rockets want and are working fevererishly with a 3rd or even 4th team. The Knicks ownership has pretty deep pockets and they have already mortgaged their future (about $30m over the cap for at least 3 seasons) so what's a few million more. I would suspect they will put together a pretty sensational deal before all is said and done. I am thinking that Sprewell is the only untouchable but that may not even be true.
Gater....I agree...regardless of how much everyone hates the Knicks...they will stop at nothing to get what they want. I fully expect them to make a last ditch effort to get yao if they feel he is attainable. As for Sprewell...I think the Knicks would welcome moving him for the right deal. Im not saying he is right for our team, but maybe the 3rd team they will need to pull in to make a deal with us could use him. I think the Knicks realize that they have a problem with Spre and Houston playing the same position and they also realize that no one is taking Houston's contract. Bottom line...Spre, while he doesnt fit our needs, can play. I also think that the Knicks would be just as happy with Jay Williams as they would be with Ming so they will do anything they possibly can to move up.
I liked Camby at UMASS under Calipari, and I respect the way he sacrifices his body playing with heart. This guy stays hurt a lot. I have to question his long term health. I have heard he would rather not play center. I recall this being an issue between Van Gundy and Camby. I think we could get better value than this....
I'd rather deal with Denver and get McDyess and/or the #5 pick. Hell, I'd rather deal with GS and their #3 pick (plus Foyle, Dampier, etc.). Simply put, we can get more value for the pick than with dealing with NY.
Problem is the #1 [Ming or Jay] are worth more than camby Houston's contract is ridiculous . . . . i would not want it anywhere near us Spreewell is about the best player - has been on good behavior but . . can he play 3 .. . in the west? Camby is ok .. but not superstar material . . . oft injury.. Thomas intrgues me .. . . maybe for the #15 . . but we have a gut at the 4 spot already who else do that have that is worth anything? rocket River
RR...i totally agree...I'm just giving a scenario where if we are "forced" to trade the pick, we know NY wants it and Camby and Wilcox/Gooden/Nene for Ming isn't the worst thing in the world as a last resort. Forget about Houston and Spre because between what Houston makes and Spre's need for the ball, it would never work. Thomas can actually play center (and did play center for a good part of the 2nd half of the season)...he actually posted some good #'s in those games. He is certainly not worth the #1 but perhaps Thomas, the #7 and a future 1st rounder could work...especially if we dumped Rice or Mo back to make the salaries fit. (NY is notorious for taking on ridiculous contracts) Again...Im not saying this is by any means the best idea...but Camby and the #7 for the #1 isnt a bad last resort if the phones stop ringing.
