to clarify my stance on the subject: I don't care if the players we take back suck, are old or have other issues that prevent them from being effective. I only care that they either have expiring contracts or mostly expiring contracts and the rest can be waived at the end of the year. In respect to T-mac I just want a first round unprotected pick out of the deal. We have already seen what Morey can do with the picks he is dealt. Trade T-mac for mostly expiring trash and an unprotected 1st rounder and I am happy.
I think Jermain O'neal would do okay in the west. Their are no centers and he can score and block shots with either hand. Plus I would to see him shoot that sweet 15 ft jumper and give us some interior D besides charges. He gives us more right now than Tmac will, especially on the defensive end.
Guys are so quick to want to trade away an expiring contract to take a chance on someone whoever that may be who isn't an expiring contract?? Thats crazy.. Next year free agent period is going to be something to remember. You trade Mac and get someone who possibly has 2 or 3 years left and miss out on the free agency then yall are crazy.. IMHO the ONLY way I'll trade McGrady is if a deal is presented to me that I can't say no to. If its for garbage players I hang up the phone and listen to other offers. BTW who is to say J.O is going to be packaged in the deal. He is Miamis tallest player. I'm sure they are not that stupid to get rid of their only "center". I mean he is a power forward playing the center position but im sure riley isn't that dumb. If the Rockets and Heat are to make a trade i don't see it happening without a 3rd team involved.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=168495 We won't be able to be big players in the free agency market this summer anyway.
From Jonathan's Blog Quick question please: When is the trading deadline for this season? If the Rockets let McGrady's contract expire can they sign him to a smaller one for sign-and-trade purposes? The Rockets used the mid-level exception to sign T Ariza last off-season, will they have a mid-level exception in the coming off-season? (The trade deadline is Feb. 18. The Rockets likely won't have a mid-level exception because they will probably be under the salary cap. -- Jonathan) Like I said we will miss out. If we are under the cap I'm sure we can sign whoever we want. McGrady's contract expires. Yao can opt out but sign back with the Rockets for a lesser contract so he could help the Rockets sign other guys they may have targeted like Tim Duncan did for the Spurs.
If I'm correct, we'll only be under the cap by 13-15 million, and that's if we let Scola and Lowry walk away from the Rockets. If we resign them both we'll have at most 7 million, and probably less. We're not going to get a big name for 7 million dollars. And it would be nice if Yao would opt out, but I wouldn't bet on it. At all. Especially since Morey already said that he doesn't think Yao will opt.
Unlikely, IMO. If... McGrady, Scola, Lowry - rights renounced Hayes - team option not picked up Dorsey - non-guaranteed waived = $13.08M cap space @ $53.6M salary cap (League estimate) = $9.88M cap space @ $50.4M salary cap (League estimate) Max 5yr deal with max 8% increases starting at $13.08M = $76.73M Rashard Lewis $118/6yr Andrew Bogut (re-signed restricted, off rookie) $60M/5yr Emeka Okafor (re-signed restricted, off rookie) $72M/6yr If only... McGrady renounced Dorsey waived Rockets team salary will be $53.49M + salary of 1st round pick. In this scenario they are over the projected salary caps.
