Just wondering, what would you think about this trade? Not that there would be any rumor or anything, just would you like it if it was an actual possibility: Raef LaFrentz, Bryant Stith for Drew, Williams, Collier Should be close salary-wise. I think I remember that Stith wanted out of Denver at some point or they wanted to trade him or something. He seems pretty overpaid. The reason to do this trade would be to get LaFrentz, who I think is pretty good.
Lafrentz is a nice player, and I think he would fit well in this system. But, the one player Collier IMO reminds me of is Lafrentz. A PF/C with a good lefty hook, range on the jump shot, good shot-blocker, etc. Lafrentz is also not a center, which is why Denver is still looking to acquire one. He is a true PF, so he would not work out on this team IMO with Taylor here. Plus another SG in Stith is a huge dropoff from Walt, and their contracts run out the same year. Personally, I think the Rockets are better off developing Collier and using Walt as our starting SF for the time being. (Collier also can't be traded until December 15) ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com 4th Friday of August= Rocket Day 1999-Steve Francis 2000-Maurice Taylor [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited September 04, 2000).]
Doesn't really make sense. Stith spends the majority of his time on the injured list and LaFrentz would play behind Cato. We need more help at the 3 than we do at the 4 or 5. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Jeff, I basically agree with you. The Nuggets would be stupid to get rid of Raef. Even out of position I think he still put up 14 pts. and grabbed about 8 boards a game-and he plays defense. That's pretty good, although we all want a center to pull down 12 boards, right? That deal gives us what we already have and takes away too many good things for us (i.e. Williams and maybe Collier, but we'll see on him). So it's bad for both teams I don't think we're bad off with with Walt. Sure, Grant Hill would be better, but that's just not an option. Walt can play if he's given the starting spot. I do not think Lewis and Patterson are better than Walt and Langhi-together those two can't put up the numbers one Walt is capable of doing. Walt can't play defense, and Patterson says he's Kobe's worst nightmare, but we're o.k. for now at SF IMO. ------------------ Don't anybody ever suggest again that we sign Tracy Murray to a deal.
Nice idea Det, but I agree with the others - too much like Collier and would languish this year behind Dream and Cato. Barring an injury, Stith would be an expensive 3rd string with a contract until 2002. On another thread I read that someone suggested James Posey to the Rocks. I tried to think of a way to get us and our exception involved in a deal which sends Brad Miller to the Nuggs (so that Raef can play his natural 4) and send Charlotte the exception and someone they might value and we get James Posey. There were 2 problems. The salaries did not come close (Posey is extremely undervalued contract wise) and the trade would move McDyess to the 3 spot. Not sure if he would or could do it. If McDyess did go to the 3, then they have a backlog at 2 with Stith and Voshon Lenard. Not sure if we'd take one of those contracts to get James Posey. Sorry I rambled, but when you mentioned the Nuggs, I just had to mention Posey as an alternative to Raef and Stith. ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 04, 2000).]
Williams and Drew do not figure into our long range goals, so this is basically a Raef for Collier trade. I would trade an unproven rookie for a established big man with range any day of the week. Also, Raef is young, and could develop with our core players nicely. The main problem with this trade is that we could be giving away Walt for nothing, but I think getting Raef might be worth it. Just my opinion. ------------------
Yeah, Say_Jack, that was my idea behind it. There were a lot of people who are already saying that Langhi makes Walt expendable. Although I won't be sure about that until I have seen a few games of the upcoming season, if that is the case, Walt could go immediately. Most people here agree that Drew needs to go anyway, so we would basically exchange two players we don't really want/need (Walt/Drew) for one player we don't really want/need (Stith), but at the same time we would get a very good big man (LaFrentz) for an unproven rookie of whom many think that he will be a bust (Collier). However, I keep forgetting that we won't be able to trade Collier before Dec. 15th anyway, so I guess it is another trade idea that doesn't really make sense, unfortunately. Another question: Not looking at the salaries involved, would you trade Cato for LaFrentz straight up?? I would.
No way I'd trade Cato for Lafrentz straight up, considering the needs of this team. The reason the Nuggets drafted two centers is because Raef Lafrentz is NOT a center. He is playing there right now, but is a true PF. Centers are hard to come by these days, and while Lafrentz is good, I wouldn't trade Cato for him. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com 4th Friday of August= Rocket Day 1999-Steve Francis 2000-Maurice Taylor
Having seen Cato play a few years in Portland, I would have traded him for LaFrentz in a nanosecond. Cato's greatest skill is shotblocking right? Well, LaFrentz can do that just as well, PLUS he's got a sweet arsenal of offensive moves including actual post moves (foreing to Cato), and an outstanding 3-point shot for a big man. I wouldn't let 1" scare me away. ------------------
Sorry, but Collier wishes he was Raef Lafrenz. This isn't your typical athletically challenged, caucasion big man we're talking about here. Lafrenz has got athleticism, shot blocking ability, and can score in a variety of ways. Collier is a clumsy chubbs hoping to stumble his way into a 12th roster spot. ------------------ Mo money, Mo problems... [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited September 05, 2000).]
I'd let 30 pounds of muscle scare me though. I believe the Nugz had 6'9 230 lb. McDyess guarding centers a lot last year, b/c LaFrenz was too darn weak. Holes in the middle are hard to fill. That's why the Nugz are so dang desperate to fill theirs. ------------------
Cabbage, I agree with your assessment of Lafrentz. Very well stated. However, that is exactly how I feel about Collier. From watching Collier play in college (yes I have seen him) and reading reports on him, I think he has those very same traits. Of course I could be wrong, but at this point, I'd like for us to give Collier a chance to develop. He does have those types of skills. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com 4th Friday of August= Rocket Day 1999-Steve Francis 2000-Maurice Taylor [This message has been edited by The Cat (edited September 05, 2000).]
