Is Kenny Thomas' case like that of the biblical prophet ...

I do not know what kind of contract he will get in Houston. It is really a case by case basis. While Rose got that money, Clark who is probably a better player, has not gotten it yet and may not get it. KT is young and could sign with the team for that kind of money for seven year which is $6 per year. As I said in another thread, KT will not attract more that the MCE from teams next year. The money is not there and there are a lot of FAs next year including folks like Clark and Marshall who may sign one year deals to look at the market again next year. So a $6mil contract for KT may not be out of the question and I can see the rockets paying that for him.

 

He won't get that kind of contract with Houston and he deserves one. I think the Rockets should reward him for his time here and trade him to a team that can afford to sign him for big bucks when his contract is up.

 

Big bucks is a dream. Have you missed the story of this summer free agency? I think $6m for 6-7 years is about the max he will get. The team at that time may have the luxury of moving either or all of Moochie, Taylor and Cato. Moochie because Brown or Maddox would be ready for back up to Francis; Taylor because KT and EG may simply be better; and Cato because Ming and EG may hold down the minutes at the 5 spot. In addition, Rice comes off in two years. Given these dynamics, I cannot see how the team would not want to or be able to sign KT next year if you just use info that we know now. Clearly alot of things can happen in the next year.

 

KT needs to be traded before the season starts. That way he can get playing time and get paid at the end of the year. KT is much better than Rose but he will get burried on the bench this year if he stays w/ the Rocks. Teams like Seattle, Orlando, Mil, maybe even Philly could use a PF who can avg. 14 & 7 and works his butt off. I like KT and I hope he has a successful career and one day reach his goal of becomeing an all-star but I know there is now way that can happen in H-town so he's gotta move on.

 

I personally think KT should be traded, he somehow doesn't seem right with the Rockets game. Even if he came off the bench, we need someone that can give us a spark (B. Jackson, Van Exel). I just never see KT do more than get the ball and do some spin move, it worked sometimes, but most of the time he gets called for O. Foul or he gets fouled and misses both FTs. I'm sure KT can score us a decent SG, so why not let go an uneeded guy for something needed.

 

I'm a huge KT fan. My type of player. But there is no way he is as improtant to us as Rose it to SA. I can't quite say Malik is the heart and sole of their defense, but he is the spark plug. He played significant minutes against O'neal. Perhaps like Ellie was was for us, not necessarily a starter, but absolutely a major cog. Lets face it, we are having trouble finding room for Kenny next year, barring injury. As a back up to Duncan, the Spurs find significant time for Rose.

 

7 years, 42 million for 9 points and 6 rebound? Isn't that what Cato averaged after he signed a 42 million dollar deal? Maybe he's not overpaid afterall.
j

 

Listen, this discussion has gotten too repetitive.

There IS no argument.

KT is a very good player. But his style of play doesn't fit ours, and he's an odd man out. There's no way we go into the season with Cato, Ming, MoT, Griffin, Rice, Nachbar, and T-Mo and still make time for KT.

Just admit there's no time for him. It doesn't mean he's bad. He's just in an unfortunate situation.

 

I think the distinction that needs to be made between Malik and KT is that Rose is a much more of a defensive presence than Kenny. He can block shots and he is really strong in the post. Kenny has a better offensive game, but I don't think he comes close to being the defender and rebounder that Rose is.

 

I can't speak to Rose, but I remember Duncan giving big props to K9 for his defense.

 

KT is a very solid player who works very hard. That said, he is nothing more than an average player. The predicament he's in is not the result of his performance, it's the result of Taylor's horrible contract. Taylor can't be moved because of his deal and subsequently Kenny has no where to fit in. I'd love to bring Kenny off the bench as a six-man type who brings energy on to the court, but not if it means signing him next year to a $40mm contract.

 

Why KT is not going to get big bucks? Check this article out.

http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/hughes_frank/1410482.html

http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/may/1410400.html

 

If Rose played for the Rockets in place of KT, his numbers would be a lot better than they are with the Spurs. He would get more minutes and more shots, which would translate into better stats.

Players in general have better stats on poor teams than they would on good teams.

 

Actually Rose is one of those that may flourish in the shadow of superstars.

 

The rockets won't pay him big bucks for two reasons. one, the last time we entered into a huge contract, 6yr/42mil, we got burned. I'm talking about, of course, kelvin cato, perhaps the worst contract the rockets ever entered into. (Zydrunas Ilgauskas anyone?) Secondly, with the addition of Ming, we no longer lack depth at center, and Maurice Taylor will play PF, along with Eddie Griffin in a lesser role. Remember, when the rockets traded up for griffin, Taylor was injured, and they wanted him originally to play 4, not 3.

 

ZYDRUNAS ILLGAUSKAS?


First and foremost, the Cavs didn't overpay Illgauskas. Had he not been injured, he would be a top 3 C today. When the average salary is around 6M for a C, that's not such an awful contract. As for Cato, he make BARELY more than the avergae for C's, and if he is, in worst case, and AVERAGE C, he's BARELY being overpaid.


BTW, Illgauskas makes 12M, 2 times more than Cato.

 

speaking of bad contracts... are we still paying Matt Maloney...?

 

Speaking of bad contracts. our we still paying Mo Taylor?

 

Taylor was both signed and injured after we aquired the voodoo child. The Rockets obviously felt that they could play together.