i think it depends on how bad the economy gets for some franchises.........an expiring $23M would get a lot of GM's off the hook with their owners......but you're right, we would likely have to take back some garbage contracts along with any all-star we trade for....
this still baffles me. we are like the only team that can be patient enough to build around 2 injury-prone stars. though i love for tmac and yao to get and stay healthy, it's a pipe dream. we're NOT going to win a championship with these 2 guys. if they do stay, hopefully they sign for MUCH less, so we can acquire that other star that can be the true superstar, and knock these 2 guys down a notch.
Unless Tmac has a massive season, he will be Allen Iverson part 2 next offseason... I doubt he gets nearly the contract that he thinks he is worth...probably more like the MLE. DD
Who? WHO?!?!?! Not to pick on you, since you're one of many people who share this idea that the Rockets should just blow up their core because they WILL get a new superstar to lead them to a championship. Lebron James is not going anywhere. And if he is, it won't be to Houston. Dwyane Wade is not going anywhere. And if he is, it won't be to Houston. Chris Bosh is now saying how he wants to stay with the (recently improved) Raptors. So who is this magical player of which you speak who is so much better than Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and who will REALISTICALLY end up in Houston? I will be pleasantly surprised is Morey can pull something off. But that would either be by trade (in which case they only need to "get rid of" the players they send out in THAT trade) or in free agency next summer (in which case they don't need to trade Battier until next June/July and they probably would want to let McGrady's contract expire). Either way, I don't see the necessity in dump players and making trades (other than a major blockbuster that clearly makes the Rockets a better team) for the sake of making moves or changing the roster further. Be patient. Cheer for this team. Welcome Tracy and Yao back. And see where Morey can take the team from there.
I for one,do not expect a star player to join the Rockets if the team is blown up. I do believe,we will be better of starting from scratch sooner than later.
I think the Rockets can absolutely get a star player in next year's FA as long as Ginobili doesn't sign an extension to stay with the Spurs. Rockets can try to work a McGrady for Manu trade this season or alternatively shed enough salary to go after in FA. Earlier this off-season Sola mentioned how he would like a contract extension. Maybe they'll work one out by the middle of this season? Dorsey is non-guaranteed, Hayes's option can be declined, Battier would have to be traded for expirings. Lowry could be another loss.
Worzel, why would u want manu who is more injury prone than tracy? Its should be about getting younger,not older and more injured.
More injury prone? LOL.... I would want Manu because at least he competes hard, and fights on the court, and is a great teamate. Manu is also not scared to attack the basket...... Man, a couple years ago I asked if anyone would trade Tmac for Manu.....we should have done it then..... DD
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q86 If the Rox are to clear up some cap room, Battier will be traded by next February, not June/July. You can't trade for an expiring contract as the contract will have expired at that time.
I agree with this reading of the tea leaves. It's really rare that a few (never mind just two) aging stars are stitched together and go on to glory. The Dream/Drexler/Barkley team comes to mind, and we're nowhere near those three in our stars. People may point to the Lakers that added some aging stars, but they always had Kobe near his peak. And the Celtics had Pierce near the top of his game for their run. If we keep limping along hoping for T Mac and Yao to re-emerge and join forces, I'm not sure which of them would be at the top of their game, and I don't see the big third piece we would need. We were excited about Artest, but he's not a big piece at this point (obviously, I'd argue.) Blowing it up sooner than later means we can rebuild with a really smart GM and coach before they eventually leave or retire. Could be really fun to watch. With the Ariza move and giving Brooks minutes, I sometimes wonder if this is already happening, but of course the organization can't say "we're basically blowing it up, folks, get ready for a sucky couple of years."
Sorry I overlooked one possible option. Battier can still be traded to a team with enough cap room to absorb his contract, without taking any contracts back after the season ends. This hypothetical move generates an approximate amount of 7.43m in the cap room. e.g. Battier to the Clippers for the Trade Player exception and a 2010 2nd-round pick.
I was point out a possibility to clear up the cap room. I'm sure DM will not trade Battier for nothing.
With one leg crippled, he still averaged 15 pts and 5 asts last season. I don't see he would end up Iverson 2. They're different. T-mac is a better rebounder, play maker, and has good size. Many teams have more cap room next year. Such as Nicks and Nets. Moreover, it's very likely that LBJ, Wade, Kobe, Bosh, Joe Jonson and other big names would extend their contracts with present teams. Even we released T-mac for nothing, assuming there are not many big names in the FA market, Mcgrady might get an offer exceeding MLE. I'll keep an eye on FA market next summer.
Ah come on now, give the people the the version they want: Lebron James is not "walking through that door"
I do not think getting the old and experienced player is our goal. Are not we retooling the team by acquiring young talent?
I think he was saying that if he had the choice of either Ginobili/McGrady, he'd sign Manu over McGrady.
