If the conflict keeps going on regarding to the playing time, which is difficult to solve, and there is no any acceptable trade plan available, buyout could be an option benefiting for everyone if there is an agreement on a payroll cut. That would give TMac an opportunity to find another team to find more playing time. The rockets will have less financial responsibility, and a relief of headache on this awful situation. It might not be the best option now to wait for a better trade plan because there is a risk and big question about how well TMac could perform in the rest of the season.
Yes. Do you realize that Utah traded away a promising rookie first round pick and got nothing back except financial relief?
Performance wise, the TMac/Yao era is clearly over and has been for about two seasons. When it will literally end is likely in the hands of Les Alexander. What I would do: 1. Somehow, someway, find a taker for TMac or worst case, let his contract expire. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES RESIGN HIM! Do not ship any of our young talent with him, and do not take on a max contract. 2. Do not offer Yao a long term max contract; that would be insanity. I would do a two year at a lower amount than he is now making with incentives for games played and performance. Love Yao, but he is high risk. As good as TMac looked the other night, he is obviously no longer a fit for this team. The day with the other players standing around watching him do his thing is over.
It's not about standing up. Tracy is still the best player on this team when healthy. If the Rockets don't want to play him they should trade him. Do you think the Lakers would tell Koby he can only play 12 minutes a game after he came back from an injury if Koby said he was healthy? You play your best players. You don't sit them to try to make some dumb point. If he's healthy and he's not a discipline problem then he should play.
