I'd say 5% he returns and 95% he leaves. If he returns, it will be more because the new CBA limits rather than the Rockets willingness to actually pay him much.
Championship caliber teams are not compatible with 6'6 players at either the 4or 5 positions, therefore It would be a terrible mistake to sign him. I would hate for McHale to fall in love with him and interfere with what should be our main goal this season; to develop our youth because that's how stars are made. I strongly believe that we have a future star(s) in our current group. There is a reason DM loves the '09 draft class, and so do I. Thabeet should be a blocking machine if given PT and T-Will could be triple double threat any given night. Lets use what we got and quit lusting over what others have.
I loaded up on Li-Ning gear when I was in China. He BETTER stay! Then again if he strikes a huge deal with another team, I could see Rocket nation forever embracing him as an honorary alumnus even if he does leave. Kinda like Battier.
Thabeet needs a lot of practice and a lot of coaching, not even close to a shot blocking machine. He's tall that's it...takes a lot of skill to block shots it's all about timing no matter what your height in the nba, people are just too athletic. Twill? maybe, but he doesnt have the patience to play in a system at this point
Trust me, thabeet has shotblocking down pat, even at the nba level. He most certainly has the timing to go along with his length/athletisim. Its every single other aspect on defence that is holding him back - rebounding, position, awarness, post D etc
That's how I feel. He's amazing, and keeps improving, but we have nothing around the rim and it magnifies everything else. We make Chuck an offer, and I hope he gets 3X more somewhere else.
Under the new CBA, perhaps we can: 1. Amnesty Thabeet, or dump him to a team under the cap to absorb his salary. 2. Renounce Chuck. 3. Sign Nene. 4. Then resign Chuck using $2.5 million "mid-level exception for teams with cap room."
Chuck is great leader and commands alot of respect. I think Morey knows that and will resign Chuck if he "plays ball" with his contract. When I say that I am referring to partially guaranteed years and possibly even a front loaded deal.
My guess: Chuck gets the 2.5 mill new exception for the under cap teams. At least that should be what Morey hopes to do: get Nene with cap room and bring the Hayes back.
Didn't chuck have dinner with Les AlexNder at least a few times...? If this is true it tells me that Les won't want him gone... Even if morey does (but morey has a respectable man crush on Hayes....but who doesn't?)
