I think Brand is a better fit. I think he would do better as a secondary player on a team. Plus he's a much better offensive rebounder (4.8 offense rpg the last 2 years) and a better passer. Steve and Eddie for Brand and Miller would be a better trade (IMO if you could get some salary matching going on). Miller only had one down year and is a much more valuable all around player than Tinsley. Brand is a better fit than O'Neal on our team with Yao (he would give us the bruiser). I'm not saying I'd do that trade, but I think it would fit our team better. Also, if we did either one of those trades then I have to think that Boki becomes the starting SF. Posey's pluses are that he's a runner, a good defender, and he gives you a decent rebounder at the 3. Do we really need those things with a lineup of Miller, Cat, Brand, and Yao (or Tinsley, Cat, O'Neal, and Yao for that matter)? No, we need someone who can shoot a 3 to make up for our crappy PG (in either scenario) AND who can hit outside shots on kickouts from the big man. This is not to mention that with either one of those teams we would primarily be a half-court team to take advantage of the bigman, so Posey's fastbreak speed becomes underutilized. I would go with this: Miller (Tinsley) Cat Boki Brand (O'Neal) Yao You have 2 great inside presences both defensively and offensively. You have 2 guys that can shoot from the outside and you have a 'true PG' that is a distributor first and scorer second.
Oneal > Brand. Oneal is far superior offensively, taller, and almost the equal to Brand in rebounding and defense. I do think either would be the ideal principal's however if Francis was traded because we get that 4 to compete in the west.. However it would take Francis(+) to get Oneal, it would be Francis(-) for Brand (Clips have to throw in something more like Jaric). I think like Francis, EG & Boki (or future 1st rounder) for Oneal and Tinsely would be enticing for both teams. The Pacers are loaded with quality young big men even though Oneal is clearly the best--but are in desperate for scoring punch from the backcourt. We get the 4 to compete in the West and a servicable young PG, they get one of the best scoring guards in the league plus an inside/defensive prospect (EG) and an outside shooting prospect. Another way to sweeten the pie for Oneal is to agree to take on Croshere's dog contract with Rice or Cato (if they lose Brad Miller via FA) thrown in from us.
Francis is a BYC player this year. Unless you get a team with about $5M in cap space involved, you can't trade Francis. Additionally, even if you did find a team with cap space, you'd only be able to take back 50% of Francis' salary in return. That makes it pretty hard to swing an attractive deal.
True, but with the likes of Francis and Oneal involved if the principal teams wanted to make this trade they probably could. It might cost and extra 1st rounder and Rice or another contract either the Rockets or Pacers have--but I would think they could nominally buy off another team to facilitate the deal. Or we just wait until next offseason to return to Brand/Oneal considerations (SF won't be a BYC then) if Francis hasn't become a better team leader. But like I said, with stakes (Francis/Oneal) this high, if those teams wanted it to happen this offseason I think they would find a way.
Sorry, there's too many free agent and not enough buyers this off season. If a team has cap space, they can probably get a pretty good value on a FA. I don' t see them giving that up their cap space for a 1st rounder from the Rockets or Pacers. As far as Rice, if a team has cap space now, why would they want Rice? Why trade cap space in a year with a strong FA crop, for cap space a year from now when the FA pool will be weaker?
why is everyone so high on Steve. he's a great player but he's not a superstar. he's had 4 seasons and in those seasons how many times have we gone to the playoffs, and dont say he didnt have any low post help because a superstar is suppose to carry the team. SF is overrated because when the rockets needed him the most he choked. in the west u need good big men and why not have two great ones with yao and o'neal. if we picked tinsley up all he has to do is drop it in and hes a better passer and assist man than steve.
how would indiana be stupid??? o'neal would leave anyways they might as well get something in return. indiana wants shooters anyways.
Imma have to disagree with this line of pure propaganda. Steve is anything but a choker. He's hit huge shots albeit they were season and not playoff or final games.
$$$$$ Only the Pacers can give him the largest contract, either by resigning him or through a S&T. SA can't match it.
O'Neal is not as good on the glass. He's better offensively but with Yao and Cat, is that what we're looking for? I'll take Brand's worse offense (still good for 17 ppg) and take his superior rebounding (more boards than O'Neal every year and he gets twice as many a year on the offensive glass). We would be better off with Brand's wide body in the paint offensively and defensively to compliment Yao's finess game. Brand should be BYC too, would that make a trade more or less feasible financially?
I think I would agree with you on a banging Brand over the taller Jermaine. However, I would like to see some stats of their head to head matchups. Can you imagine for the next 6 or 7 years, Ming and Brand against Duncan and Jermaine? Also, I have read where Duncan really prefers for the Spurs to sign a center, so they may decide to make a run at Brad Miller instead of Jermaine. I hope they do that. LOL I'd much rather the Rockets be facing Miller and Duncan than Duncan and Jermaine. Also, if San Antonio does go after Jermaine, then that leaves us with one less competitor for Brand. I would never do a Francis for O'neal trade. Francis for Kobe, yes. Francis for TMAC, yes. Francis for Garnett, yes. Francis for just about anybody else, no. Not even Kidd. And I don't see any way the Rockets move Francis unless him and Van Gundy cross swords and it becomes messy. So, knowing that, all the proposed trades involving Steve or Yao are pointless. Probably the most logical way for us to get Jermaine would be to package Eddie, Cat, Glen, and Cato, for some combination of a resigned Jermaine and Croshere. We might even have to throw in a future #1 and/or take one of their guards off their hands, the dude from Kentucky, can't remember his name. That way they get some decent inside talent, some young potential, and an expiring contract to play with. But that is only going to happen if Jermaine says he's leaving Indiana and forces them to do a S&T. Chances: 1 in 100 I think our chances are much better of attaining Brand and I think are chances are even better than that of picking up some low priced FA talent. And I think our chances are best that we do.....................................nothing................until Van Gundy figures this group out.
