bump. I missed this thread the first time around. Searched for it when I read in yesterday's Chron about the draft. This sure puts a different spin of all the Rockets roster and trade speculation. Most significantly, I think any kind of two or three for one trade to consolidate the Rockets roster will be difficult because teams will all be looking to get the best 8 players. Maybe the Rox best strategy would be to put up with the logjam at forward for another year after this one knowing that we will (should?) only lose one player. Looking through my crystal ball at our current 15 man roster: Definitely protected: Yao SF Cat EG Probably protected: KT (assuming he continues to play well and is resigned by the Rox after this season) Boki (I am assuming he plays up to his potential - the 15th player in a strong draft) Not protected: Collier (off contract or resigned by then) Mickael (who knows?) Maddux (may not even be on the team by then) Hawkins (may not even be on the team by then, Rudy can find a replacement if need be) Rice (I think his contract will be over anyway) That leaves 4 players for two spots: MoT (good candidate to be exposed due to contract if KT continues to play well and EG improves) TMo (if he is resigned - I think his contract is up after this year. He has advantage of 3 - 4 versatility) Cato (when does his contract end? backup centers are a valuable commodity) Mooch (contract is somewhat a liability - will Maddux make him expendable?) My guess: We protect Cato and we expose Mooch based on the relative difficulty/ease of finding backup centers and pointguards. We protect either of MoT or TMo based on their productivity and contract status and expose the other one. Of course, luxury tax and other CBA considerations that I am not aware of will probably play a significant role too. I would like any input from people with more knowledge of contract/CBA considerations.
Yao Francis Mobley Griffin Boki Cato TMo KT unprotected Mo Taylor.... overpaid... would much rather keep KT at this point Collier.... good luck buddie Hawkins.... Maddox.... Norris.... overpaid.... Mickeal.... Rice.... hurry up and get out of town so we'll have more $ for FA.
Sadly, everyone except Atlanta demolishes the Rocks attendance. But, I don't think Houston is as bumpin' as Atlanta (but I still love Houston -- the best city in the US of A)
Steve Ming Cat Eddie KT Boki Mo Cato Mooch The guys above are big parts of the foundation of this team, be it by talent or contract. The other guys like Hawkins are just players that come along. They may play well, but they're far from franchise players. Things change over a year or two so I don't see any of them being hands off merchandise. Two years ago Mooch would be considered untouchable and now everyone can't wait to trade him (not everyone, but a lot). Last year Oscar was the fan favorite. This year it's Hawk so we'll see, but I don't think he's a lock for his current spot. Then again you never know.
If there's expansion the NBA is going to look more like the NCAA. Miami and Denver are horrible, setting something of the lowest scores the NBA has seen in a while, maybe ever. There isn't enough talent to go around, and the quality of play is garbage in many games.
I would like to keep our Future together! I would risk:-KT,Hawk,Rice,MoT,CollierNorris and Mickeal. I would protect:- Francis, Mobley, Yao Ming, Griffin, Morris, Nachbar, Cato and Maddox. I would expect to loose KT, MoT and Norris. The question I have would this open room in our Salary Cap, that might give us a chance of getting Brand?
The attendence should go up if the team makes the playoff and making some sort of run, which we should do. In addition, Yao should have massive commercial value not only for the team but also for the city. Rocket should also focus on marketizing Yao and Steve at the same time. I think not many people here realizes the potential value of Steve. Although he gets criticized a lot for playing Jackass basketball, not many players in the league has his explosiveness. Explosiveness goes well with maketing image. In addition to that, I think Houston expand its merchandizing commodities. I believe not many NBA teams are excercizing their fool potential. Or at least should sell its image rights, to Chinese manufacturorers since the cost of production is cost is cheaper their and they seems to have pretty good designing skills. Also, Houston should also try to expand its business to Japan or Korea or Taiwan, or Europe since China is more of a production factory than consumption market even if it has been well documented that there is a growing middle class in the region of Shanghai. Making visit to Asia wouldn't help. And should go well with Chinese bureacrats. As for Houston, although I have only been up there for a couple of days in 1997, I loved it while i was staying there. Although, I admit it was pretty hot, and this from a person who used to live in Tokyo, where it becomes pretty hot in the summer. NASA, Astrodome, and Astroworld is pretty cool though and the food was simply awesome.
Wouldn't hurt. My brain is having one of those dumbass moments right now. I am pretty tired right now. Damm, we were way too much.
Wouldn't hurt. My brain is currently half sleep with all those activities today. I don't care whether the working hours have gone considerably over the last century. We still work too much!
Under the Expansion Draft rules you can only lose ONE player. If more than one player could be choosen from one team that would seriously effect that teams bench. Imagine what deep teams like Sacramento would look like if more than one player could be choosen! Chris
If we don't like MoT, why you think Charlotte will pay big bucks for mediocre player? They won't pick him unless nobody else is available. I would protect Yao, wink, cat, EG and Cato (simply for being a decent C). Everybody else can go cuz they're easily replaceable.
that's why he said can we pay charlotte to take them. another question, charlotte would only get like 12 selections, right? that would mean we aren't even guaranteed to lose a player (12/29 chance i guess), correct. protect: yao cato steve cat eddie snachbar kt tmo if they wanna take mot or mooch's contract then oh well.
Even if we do pay them makes no diff, MoT would still count against their cap and especially for an expansion team, you don't want to do that. At least they hope all their cap room would get them a good player in the FA market.
oh yeah, another question, cba related. does anyone you lose in the expansion draft just come directly off the cap, no complications or anything. you just pretend their contract never existed?
