Think about it. The Rockets signed Ariza as a free agent, so they essentially acquired Lee the same way. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/courtney_lee/index.html Let's take a look at the contract Morey signed our 2009 free agent to. 2010/2011 = $1,352,640 2011/2012 = $2,225,092 - team option 2012/2013 = $3,221,933 - qualifying offer That's a pretty nice free agent pickup, huh? :grin:
I like the trade, the salary relief helps. If you want to look at off season additions to last years team as free agents look at all the moves so far: Drafted Patrick Patterson Signed Brad Miller Swapped Lee for Ariza Lee draft scouting report when he was with Orlando out of college: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Courtney-Lee-471/ Not to mention resigning Lowry, Scola ,and Yao coming back to last years 42-40 team.
So in retrospect, do people prefer Courtney Lee on a rookie-scale contract + 6.3 million TE, or Artest at MLE?
I don't think Crazy Pills was a good long term fit, but he earned a ring, and he can be proud of that.
I think so, I really think the Rockets look at this as getting in a better position to get Iguodala, Granger or who knows maybe even Melo if things don't work out there. Even if they fail then Lee isn't far from a dropoff from Ariza, if at all.
Saves us money, helps us find mins for our log jam at SF, and although Ariza might be a better player than Lee he was having issues playing with Brooks and possibly the team. You could see Ariza wanted the ball more and would be frustrated at brooks when it didn't come his way. Lee will be a better fit playing a lesser role.
I never really bought the logjam at SF argument. The simple solution is just don't play Battier much. Only play him in situations where you need a defensive kick. His contract expires next year anyway. Why would the Rockets be so concerned about getting Battier minutes?
If you want to trade a player you need to showcase him to get any real value. Battier is a great fit for the team we have now....he is the 5th option, won't be demanding the ball ala Trevor, and will play smart TEAM ball everywhere on the court. Battier is just better for this team on the floor and his contract expires making him more valuable off the floor as well. DD
What's the point of recasting our '09 pickup as Courtney Lee? You can feel good about spending rookie money on a free agent. You can also feel bad about spending your 2009 MLE opportunity on just one inexperienced free agent. You only get one MLE per year; would you trade your next MLE for the 22nd pick in the next draft? I wouldn't.
i agree its an odd way of looking at it. it is just what it is: getting OUT of an MLE contract for almost equal talent on rookie scale. maybe we'll be able to spend MLE next year because of this. maybe we can just use the TE to acquire someone via trade rather than sign MLE. either way its a good move.
