In my opinion it is . . . CATO!!!! forreal I think the Eastern Teams are DESPERATE for centers. Rocket River
I have to agree. Mobley's contract makes him pretty desirable as well, but there are just so few quality centers in the league and the fact that Cato was ranked second in rebounds per minute can't hurt his trade value at all. I think he'd be a beast in the eastern conference.
Other = Other than the big two. I would guess? You know? Cato has come a long way. I bet there are quite a few teams that would be interested in his services.
Verse, I was so impressed by your comment that I went and voted for MoTay, hopeing to find some crack in the process. FYI - It doesn't work.
Rocket River, You might be over-estimating Cato's value to an Eastern team and/or someone's need for him. Just running down the list of East team's and their centers: Boston/Tony Battie - Boston could use Cato's muscle, but by no means is he head and shoulders better than Battie. Their production is a push but Battie's contract is much more cap friendly. Miami/Grant or Mourning - No question here. Both Grant and Mourning are better than Cato. I also don't think Cato is exactly "Riley material". N.J./Collins or Mutombo - Lets assume that Mutombo's career is just about over. Cato definitely is better than Collins. N.Y./Kurt Thomas - Thomas is head and shoulders better than Cato. However, N.Y. could move Thomas over to the 4 (assuming McDyess is out next season) and put in Cato at the 5. Cato might be a good fit in N.Y. Orlando/Steve Hunter and Shawn Kemp - Cato would definitely be an upgrade here. Philly/Coleman and McCollough - Todd's career might be over so I won't factor him in. Coleman is a FA and is a better all around player at the 5 than Cato is. My guess here is that Philly will resign him and be content. Washington/Haywood - Haywood is younger and cheaper. Cato is not much better than Haywood, if at all. Washington is going to be cleaning up Jordan's mess. I don't think they want a player or contract like Cato. Atlanta/Ratliff or Mohammed - Ratliff is a better player than Cato IMO, but he is getting up in age and has a more expensive contract. I'd think the Hawks would rather have Ratliff over Cato. Cleveland/Ilgauskas - Injury history aside, this is a no brainer. Chicago/Curry - Ditto. Toronton/Davis - Davis is 35 and will have 3 years left on a $12mil per year contract. Davis is a better player than Cato, but the Raptors might desire Cato's size, youth and contract in lieu of Davis. Idiana/Miller - Miller is the better player. He is a FA, but I assume that the Pacers will resign him. I don't see a place for Cato here. Milwaukee/Prizbilla - Cato is the better option here. Detroit/Robinson and Wallace - Wallace is better suited at the 4. A Wallace/Cato tandem would serve this team well. Cato might be desireable here. New Orleans/Magloire - No question here. Magloire is the better player and he is only making a lil more than $1mil per season (1 more season left on the contract. So in all, we have 4, possibly 5 teams that might have a desire for Cato.
