If we don't re-sign Artest would we have enough cap room for Hedo? If so, who would you prefer? I would take Hedo as a replacement for T-Mac. He's younger and can create his own shot better than Artest. We lose some on defense, but we still have Battier.
If Yao were healthy, I'd be all for it. Hedo feels to me like a piece you add to put you over the top....the Rockets aren't in that position right now.
The Rockets (like 90% of the NBA) have a $5.5M MLE and Hedo wants $10M+. You do the arithmatic. (And a SnT is only possible if the Rockets have $10M of something the LTax Magic want. Let's move on...it's not happening.
Turkoglu had a good season, but his efficiency dropped pretty drastically this year over last year. Artest was a little worse in overall FG %, but was MUCH better in 3P%. For what you'd lose in defense and toughness with Artest, I'd say it's not a good tradeoff. And I think Turkoglu will ask for more than he's worth...and someone will end up paying it. Turkoglu Stats Artest Stats
Hedo is just as old if not maybe a year older than T-Mac though I wouldnt mind signing him. Also HD would take over for Artest/at Artest's position, SF. I suppose you could throw him at the 2 spot, but I dont know how that would work out. Do I see him coming here? Probably not, hes likely to end up in Toronto, Detroit, or Portland with Portland being the likely place.
This would be a great move. Hedo Turkoglu is a guy who can score, but with the ball in his hands, can also create plays for himself and others. He can also space the floor better with his 3 point shooting. He's a mismatch for anybody who guards him. I think to start the season, Turkoglu would be teamed up with Scola, and Brooks, both who are capable of putting up 20 points on any given night. IF Tmac is ready to start the season, that would also take pressure off of him to make plays as well. Or if he is driving in, Turkoglu is a much better outside shooter than Artest. You can also let him start at the SG, instead of the dribbling challenged Artest. Battier would guard the other team's shooting guard. The one thing we still need badly is a true center...otherwise we would have to go to a small, but faster and more versatile lineup of Scola, Turkoglu, Battier, Taylor/Tmac, and Brooks. Thats what Phoenix did when they lost Stoudamire for a year, and they used Diaw, who is not as good as Scola as their center and marion as their power forward. They won 55 games that year, when everybody counted them out. Another advantage is that Turkoglu has been coached by RA before in Sacremento...where they had a lot of success. I think that would make him want to come here. Best case scenario: Yao comes back at some point during the season, Tmac is ready at the start of the season or 1st month. With 2 playmakers, and outside shooters, we are contenders with Yao being the focal point of our offense. Worst case Scenario: Yao doesn't come back, Tmac doesn't come back til All star break or later, and we probably miss the playoffs, because Turkoglu is not a player capable of carrying a team, especiall with only scola and brooks to help him. I think either way Turkoglu is a nice piece for the future thuogh, if we don't get Yao or Tmac back for a good amount of the season. Otherwise he could help salvage our season next year with Tmac, Scola, and Brooks available to help him.
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/houston.htm The Rockets team salary for 2009/2010 is already $65 million, without Artest or Wafer, which is over the cap, meaning we only have the MLE. You can see how next offseason, though, we will have a good amount of room, assuming we don't pick up any new contracts in the meantime...those people arguing to just not do anything with McGrady and let him walk are looking at that $29 million number and seeing a superstar joining the team. I find it unlikely, and as such would prefer to trade McGrady if you can get back solid, young talent along with a contract. As for Hedo, I really like him as a player. I don't think he gets enough credit for being a strong part of that Magic team...heck, maybe the key piece. We've all seen what Dwight's offensive game is, and isn't. Rashard can score, but isn't exactly Kobe Bryant out there either. More often than not, Hedo had the ball in his hands in the 4th quarter in crunch time, and the Magic won more often than not. That said, I'd agree that (1) short of a sign and trade with Artest, there is no way the Rockets can get him, and (2) he would be a good player if Yao was for sure going to be healthy, but as is...pass.
every move this offseason is a failure no one would like to come to a team with no big stars so, our hope is young talents!
Yao's injury might just opened a window for someone who wants to sign a one year deal and pad his stats for his next big contract. but again, almost every FA that played for Rockets took a hit on their stats....
Hedo type player is exactly what Rockets need. But I still want to keep Artest! It is painful to give up any of the current Rockets Roster.
For some reason, I expect Turk to drop off quickly during his next contract, especially if he switches teams. It doesn't matter anyway since we can't afford him and we can afford Artest.
