Houston is conducting serious talks with both Orlando and Vancover right now, over moving their draft pick position. A very trustworthy source in Texas and an equally credible source in Florida has confirmed .... there are "very serious" discussions going on right now, to move Houston's seeded #9 slot closer to the top three or four. "Solid and serious stuff!" " No BS." "Top shelf." The Vancover Deal I have not had any confirmation from Vancover sources yet, but I have been in touch with them since last night. They are working on this for me. The Vancover involvement is not fleshed out, but surrounds the #4 slot in some exchange with Houston and "something else".(Sorry, I know that is vague, but what the hell, that's what I was told.) There also was some reference to a possible three way (presumably between Vancover and Orlando and Houston.) See speculation on this below. The Orlando Deal The Orlando agreement is apparently more solid and further along in negotiation. It's been going on for a while. In have no idea how long the "while" is. It involves a swap of Orlando's first seeding (#1?, #2?, or #3? slot) with Houston giving up it's first round slot (#9). And "more"(This from the Florida source, who is close.) Orlando's end is that it gives them freedom from one First Rounder obligation of many (Houston, Denver, Detroit, Vancover) in the next couple of years. It also gives them the #9,#10,#13 middle selections this year. The draft committments have apparently moved some players that Orlando is interested in closer to those spots. I am speculating that there is even more for the Magic in the actual agreement than just unloading an obligation. My Sources' (Texas/Florida) Opinions(Who do not know one another and have never spoken with each other.) They both feel a strong possibility exists that "Vancover's involvement" may actually include the Grizz recieving the Orlando pick (#1?,#2?,or #3?), Houston getting Vancover's #4, and Orlando getting the Houston pick as mentioned. This would satisfy a lot of needs and knock off Orlando's obligation to two teams at once. Vancover moves into a more advantageous position. Houston moves into a more advantageous position. Sounds plausible to me. But ... IMHO They would probably wait for the actual lottery and some adjustment ("more"?) would be made for any imbalances. Say if the Orlando pick goes number one, or some of the entries backout of their verbal committments. I would also suspect that Orlando has got to address their roster signings soon as some of the Free Agents (..... what have they got like eight or so ? ) have got to start getting some positive signals from Doc and the suits. Anyway. I held this for a couple of days, and couldn't any longer. Visions of sugarplums like K-Mart and Fizer have been floating through my head since this started. More as I get it.
Hot damn. The BBS Legend has spoken. Thanks for the tip Pops... ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Thanks for the news Popeye. I am getting so excited. If it's one thing we know about the Rockets, they will not hesistate to make a deal if it helps the team. I dont remember many slow off-seasons. btw, im not too crazy about Fizer. Id prefer Swift, martin, miller, and a few others over fizer. I just dont think he will be a good pro. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
This is one topic everyone is interested in. Thanks, Popeye! This is really exciting!!! ------------------
It's always good to here news from popeye And, Swift has to be the man to get. If we got #1, Martin would be the choice, cause he's safer, but I REALLLLLLY like Swift. Apparently, he did a free throw line dunk from BEHIND the line, not on it, in the dunk contest after high school. He's the real deal. Imagine if Detroit gave us their pick this year, and we picked up DeShawn Stevenson (if he came out) there, and then in the second round, Chris Porter, we could put out a lineup of-Francis (40+ vertical), DeShawn (44 inch vertical), Porter (super athlete), Swift (incredibly leaping), and Cato (good athlete). Now that's dreaming, but if we get Swift, and he doesn't majorly bust, I'm happy. popeye-Hehe, what if my deal came true? ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Thanx alot Popeye! KENYON MARTIN HERE WE COME! ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
I think of somethings beyond just the PICK The other considerations. . . Maybe someone from our Current Roster going to Orlando or Vancouver. Who is a Choice? Or someone from one of those Spots coming here. . . I'll have to ReRead Popeye's Post and digest it. Rocket River Purculator Purking ------------------
One note on this... Vancouver I could see talking, and Orlando also in regards to freeing up the commitments they have in having to give up first rounders over the next few years, but I question why Orlando would give up their top pick -- I know the Orlando Sentinel (I think) was writing how they were "dreaming" of landing Fizer or Martin... Anyhow, we'll see how the cards fall I guess.... plus I figure I questioned popeye when he scooped the Francis deal I better add some shadow of doubt in order for it to come true again ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Popeye-- Do you have any clue on who the rockets are reallly really high on? ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
Francis3, Getting close to the magic "2000" posts number. Would you be surprised if they liked Swift over K Martin? Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
If Martin and Swift were available and Houston took Swift , then I would be a little shocked. I like Swift alot but Kenyon Martin is the best player in this draft. I just think if we get Swift, it will take a while for him to become a top player and he will have to learn alot. Kenyon has more knowledge and leadership. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB
Thanks for the info Popeye! Has there been any talk of the Rockets discussing a deal with the Clippers? It seems they could use Bryce Drew and Kenny Thomas. Mo Taylor and Derek Anderson are probably walking plus they need a PG. Has there been any talk of a Drew, Thomas and 9th pick for the Clips top 3 pick? The Clips would add a very adequate PF in Thomas to replace Mo Taylor, would fill their PG needs with a complementary guard in Drew and could fill the vacancy of Anderson with the 9th overall pick. That 9th pick could be translated into Morris Peterson, Quentin Ricardson or possibly Courtney Alexander. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Popeye, Excellent news. I just have to say, Rudy and CD are awesome. They are always trying to improve the squad, and that is SOOOO refreshing. Proud to be a Rocket fan, DaDakota ------------------
Well I thought I'd add a little more info to the story. The Rockets want to come out of this draft with a franchise big man(Martin, Mihm, Swift, etc.) That's the main reason they are talking with the top lottery teams. They've been very high on Swift since way back during the All-Star Break if you remember. To me, that's why I think they're talking with Van and Orlando in my eyes. Swift is going about #3. Pops, have you heard anything on Clips/Rockets/Bulls deal? Something about us moving up to bulls spot, and Kandi going over to the bulls. Props on the info. ------------------ Now that the NBA season is over, check out the premiere source for draft info. Draftsource.net
<font size="4"Let's make this simple.</font> Cato is gone!!! All we need from Popeye is to be right on the teams. Neither of those teams need Cuttino...woo hoo!!!! And KT is not tradeable enough to pull that trade. Cato is the Man! Cato IS 7 foot tall! That is my new mantra! Cato! Cato! Cato! --------------- Clutch, please delete Cato bashing threads until after the trade.
Good detective job popeye. Any idea what the scenario(s) would be? ------------------ 7 years 42 million mistakes.
They would probably wait for the actual lottery and some adjustment ("more"?) would be made for any imbalances. Yeah, no kidding. Personally, I can't imagine that these GM's would play roulette with these slots before the lottery. It would be insane. Orlando's first pick is via Golden State, which has the 3rd slot just ahead of Vancouver at 4th. Either of them have a good chance at the #1 pick. In the hypothetical trade, we would feel pretty damn stupid if we traded the #9 slot to Vancouver for their #4 slot, then find out that in the lottery drawing #9 gets to pick second while #4 picks fifth! I see no sense in trading picks before the lottery. Anything could happen- we might get first pick, while Magic and Grizz pick 4th and 5th. I imagine talks can't get really serious until after May 21. heypartner- I'm praying you're being sarcastic, but my sarcasm radar didn't get any blips from your post. Trade Cato? Why? To get Mihm at #3? Dude. ------------------
I don't like it. I mean it would be great to be able to move up into the top 3 but I would want to keep the 9 pick as well. I want Swift in the worst way and that is who I think the Rockets are targeting but with the 9 pick, we could pick Miles, Moiso, Ernest Brown, maybe Miller, who knows, the possibilities are endless. Assuming we get Swift, we still have 2 other questions: Cato and a SF. There is no guarantee that Cato will work out this offseason. There is no guarantee that Walt will perform as well as he did towards the end of this season, next season. There is no guarantee that Rashard Lewis will come to us. There are too many questions and too many holes to fill. So my suggestion is to work out something with the Clippers to get their #1 and Olowokandi. Some people might not care for O-kandi but he is putting up much better #'s than Cato is and is cheaper at the moment. If we could also get Odom, that would be gravy but very unlikely. But, since I trust Rudy and Carrol and if they don't want anyone from the later rounds of the lottery and want to wait until next year to address those questions, then I will go with that. ------------------
OK--let's maybe chill our excitement for a second and give Popeye time to decompress. Let's talk amongst ourselves. What we are looking at is a: Vanc goes from #4 to #3 Houston goes from #9 to #4 Orlando goes from #3 to #9 Who here honestly believes this is a three way involving only picks? Second question, who here honestly believes Orlando is doing this for simple accounting and other peripheral reasons? Third question, who here honestly believe Orlando is not going to get market value for that #3...clearly, a #9 is NOT equal to a #3...can we all agree on that. If you still believe we don't have to give up something big, here's the questions: 1. Why wouldn't Orlando offer the straight swap to seeds #5-8 then, instead. Surely, everyone would jump at the opportunity. 2. Now that it is clear we must trade a body...who would they want to trade 3. Do you really think KT is enough to move up FIVE spots. Both teams have star PG/SG...so Cuttino is safe. Both teams want a center. Cato is GONE I love it! 5 spots for Cato...well worth it. What dreamers are out there who think Orlando (a team of great roll players, wants any of our roll players...unless he is 7 foot tall) CATO CATO CATO. $42m for 7 years, becomes $7m for 3 years Glorious news for our Dream windfall 2001 --------------------- Clutch, please delete all Cato bashing threads
Oh...maybe we can get Bo Orlando in the deal as well. hehehehehe CATO CATO CATO !!! Our best trade bait is going to land us the big fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
