Let’s be honest, although we want to see the Rockets get the best possible players, there is no reason to think that an All-Star like Jermaine O’Neal would come to Houston, when he go to the World Champion San Antonio Spurs (If Chris Webber doesn’t turn into Willis Reed on Saturday) or resign with the Pacers for Max Money. In the open market, if you want a championship Karl Malone and Gary Payton (the Lakers two weakest positions, would go to L.A.), but as we can see so far Karl Malone probably going to Dallas beginning in a sign and trade probably for Raef Lafrentz and others. Payton could go to San Antoinio, who is going to get better no matter what they do, but Tony Parker at 20, is getting better and probably help leads them to a championship this season. No need for Payton. This is what I think might happen: That Jason Kidd guy, he stays in Jersey. Jermaine O’Neal signs max deal with Pacers. Elton Brand signs one year tender w/ Clippers. Andre Miller ends up in Utah (Stockton’s Replacement). Gilbert Arenas and Corey Maggette end up in Denver (their backcourt play is horrible). I still think that Olowakandi ends up in San Antonio (they need a big man to protect Duncan). Gary Payton resigns in Milwaukee. Karl Malone moves on to Big D (I would have went to play w/ Duncan instead). Scottie Pippen goes to L.A. and gives them the veteran (a real point guard) for the million dollar exception and Juwan Howard goes in as Shaq’s new caddy. Were does this leave the Rockets. With all of the Clippers falling into place, I think Rockets are in the Odom race until he signs long term with the Clippers or signs with Miami. The Rockets need someone who is physical (an does not need the ball) if Dale Davis doesn’t resign in Portland or the Hornets decide not to resign PJ Brown I would do either one. Probably because Robert Horry is so loved and his home is here, he comes back to Houston instead for a 2 year contract for the MCE instead. Players likely on the move: Ricky Davis, anyone on the Toronto roster not named Vince Carter, Stackhouse opts for free agency, Portland moves Rasheed along because Zach Randolph is a player, Illgauskas possible, throw Marcus Camby in the mix, one or two of the young Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks are going to have a fire sale. The only big free agent I didn’t address was Alonzo Mourning. Miami has a ping pong ball (TJ Ford), Cap space and two solid veterans w/ bad contracts to trade. I see Zo going to Disney World for the MCE. As for the Rockets, you do your best to rid yourself of bad contracts without destroying the team. If you bring in Robert, Mo has to go. You don’t resign Posey (if Nachbar is the guy), you use Rice to help a team put themselves in position to talk to Duncan, Garnett, and Kobe Bryant (The Grizzles) he finally gets his own team. We need role players who don’t mind doing the dirty work, don’t dribble (at all), and can play D and hit an open shot. Moochie has bad contract (hopefully it has voidable years. Cato is a solid backup the should be moved for the right deal. Let’s see what happens.
All good points. As mush as I would like to dream about the Rockets landing some of the big name players, we probably will land only mid level talent. Our days of always getting lucky with the top tier free agents will to take less to play for the championship level Rocket teams of past are over for now.
Nice post. I think all this dreamcasting is great and all, but reality tells me that we will end up with some role players and possibly a big name impact player. When you are not in the playoffs, the offseason sucks!!!
T, you sure covered most of the bases. Interesting post - nothing outlandish. I think the Rockets moves will be the hardest to predict, unless Doc looses his cryptomawhatchamacallit and writes something even I can figure out. I agree that Portland could count on Randolph if they could get value for Wallace. What would be a reasonable trade for Wallace?(league-wise)
Honestly, if there was another Ray Allen (character guy with a great jump shot), or a big man worth trading for I'd do it. Even a team with a high lottery pick, and young and upcoming star would do the trick for me (Ex: Memphis Lottery pick and say Pau Gasol, Shane Battier). Usually when you don't trade superstar for superstar you don't get equal value. Ask all the teams that traded for Charles Barkley.
is it true that we turned down rasheed for griffin straight up last year? kind of makes me ill... i hope horry doesnt come back. he is done. we would have no use for "the nut slapper" anyway. he only shows up for the playoffs, so what good will he do the rockets?
i knew about that one (and the shareef for griffin too), but i thought that the blazers had made that offer as well. funny how everyone wanted eddie last year. lets see if those offers are still there.
The first thing that I gather is that you T-Dogg is that your not from Houston and that the Houston Rockets are not your favourite Team. I deduce this from your biography! You want all the teams ahead of the Rockets to get better but the Rockets to get over the hill players with high cost and few productive years left. Glen Rice is our example to learn by. If we dont know now that we made a big mistake then all is lost. If we cant get some quality players, then we stay put in the main. Then the only people we use is{a} Collier and Hawkins in a sign and trade[almost impossible] {b} Rice and Moochie Norris . My reasson behind not taking on Dale Davis,Horry [who is NOT wanted} or P J Brown and standing almost pat is that there are better opportunities for us in the future. The Rockets Management must try not to destroy the Team but fine tune it with one or two player that are an 'improvement' and that will play 'productivly' with the Team for 'many years' to come. They MUST try their best, no matter how difficult it might seem, to sign or maker deals for:- Miller,Arenas,Odom and Elton Brand and any other young experienced players with potential. We need only two, a Point Guard and a Power Forward.
I don't believe we had the chance to get SAR or Sheed for Eddie, I think you guys are wrong. You don't pass up a star for a guy with potential and I doubt the Rocket's brass are that stupid.
Don't count on that either. His last playoff series numbers: FG - 11/42 (26%) 3FG - 0/18 (0%) Avg pts - 4.3 Avg rbs - 7.8 Avg min - 30 The only way I'd take him is if LA signed him to a 1 year contract equal to Moochie's - then made the trade... But can see most of T-Dogg's "vision" - except for the Rockets.
Moochie is much more productive than Horry![ I cant believe that I said that,because Moochie is such a blight on this Team ]
I love the Houston Rockets, you have to be realistic. We have no cap space, who wants our forwards (we had the worst starting two arguably in the league), the Rockets have always gone after the big name free agent to get the middle market free agent (outside of Scottie Pippen). The reason I said we get Robert is because Why would Karl Malone come to Houston, when a. he can get his record in Dallas or b. win a championship in L.A. or San Antonio. Why would Jason Kidd or Gary Payton come to Houston when they can get max money with their teams or play for the Lakers or Spurs. Why keep getting younger to end back in the lottery. Look at the Spurs. Veterans Kevin Willis, Steve Smith, Steve Kerr, to go along with Ginobili, Jackson, Parker and the centerpiece Tim Duncan. They have a future hall of famer in David Robinson who took a role on HIS to be a champion, the Rockets don't have that. Glen Rice is our only "veteran" and if he was about championships, he would have stayed in L.A. Sure if the Rockets pull off a miracle and get O'Neal and/ or Jason Kidd, we should have no excuse but to win the championship. In 94 and 95 outside of Hakeem, Otis (one year) and Clyde how many other Rockets were going to the All-Star game? How many Lakers besides Kobe and Shaq are going? How many Spurs? Quality depth can't be measured in name value alone. Productive. Veterans with short term contracts are better than Cato (although he improved), Mo Taylor, Moochie. THINK!
yes, he isnt even reliable in the playoffs anymore (except to double slap the admiral in the ding-a-ling). i think he is done. maybe a cavs or toronto or vancouver could use him though.
One thing to remember about Malone is he wants a ring AND KAJ's scoring record. While one might be likely on the Lakers or Mavs, the other wouldn't happen. He would be the third option in LA & Dallas.
The 3rd option on the Mavericks would average around 15 points a game. That would give Malone his record if he plays for two years.
