The trade proposals made by leebigez are the best offseason trade proposals made this year. Although it needs some creative thinking and a miracle it would transform the Rockets into a serious contender.
There is no way that the Clips let Brand leave unless he plays hardball (i.e. he'll leave after next season) and even then they probably won't trade him. He is one of the best in the league, even the Clips won't let him get away. However, I think there is an outside chance that the rox could get Odom for Cat and Rice or a similar package. Odom does have baggage and LA would get a 20 per game scorer and a 9 million dollar contract off the books. However, even that is extremely unlikely.
I don't really want Odom--despite his substantial overall talents and promise--he is inconsistent, doesn't shoot that well, doesn't D-up quick swingmen very well, and has character questions. The only reason I'd trade Cat strait up for him--and yes I would-- is because of the age difference, not because of their current skills or total impact on the floor. I suspect whoever ends up with Odom will feel they paid too much for him. Now Rice, Cat and EG--who I think together just matches a max salary--works for Brand. It isn't a bad value/cheapskate move for the Clips: Cat is cheap and very effective for the money, EG is cheap and a little effective and very young (solid promise), and Rice is off the books next year. Forget Cato--the Clips don't want salary and the math would not work anyway. It is a very long shot--but more imbalanced trades have happened in the last few years than Brand for Cat, EG and Rice. Then we take the MCE or either Cato/Mot to acquire another guard to play along side of SF and we are set.
Do we even dare dream that Brand could actually wear a Rockets uni? If we indeed shipped Rice, Cat and Griffin for Brand, and somehow managed to get Eric Snow ( I think he can be had) to play the point, we would have an incredibly dangerous team. If we traded Mo and ended up with Snow plus filler, we could have Cato backing up both the 4 and the 5. Believe it or not, I'm not ready to part with Cato. Sigh. Shame it's all a pipe dream, though Clippers history may yet prove otherwise.
I wish people would really read the 1st post before they post. The Cliff Notes on it says the Clipps are under the payment basement and has to sign some of their player before the start of the season. Right now they're 20m under the current agreement and even with Brand at a max deal, they're still under by 8m. They probably won't match Miller, but if they do match Maggette, then all is for not. Something has to happen and hopefully the Rockets can get involved. I used my example because like someone noted earlier Falk represents both and somehow, Taylor would have to be moved. Its really a trade that benefits all 3 teams, but whether or not it happens is another story.
What's bad about having 2 players who have the same agent? Well compared to the Utah Jazz...I think the Houston Rockets have a good chance to get Elton Brand. Forget Odom!
How about we trade Francis, Rice, Griffin, Mobley for Elton Brand, Andre Miller, Eric Piatkowski. Starters Miller Eric P. James Posey Elton Brand Yao Ming Although that really goes against my signature.
Leebig, Your thread has been taken all over the place but how do these two factors figure into your thinking: 1. Sterling hired a new, proven coach: Dunleavy 2. Wilcox and Ely. Arguably, Sterling could justify a trade of Brand by saying that he hired an experienced coach to bring Wilcox and Ely along. If Brand threatens to leave after next year, that could give Sterling the excuse he needs to make a deal. If they match Maguette or sign Odom, do the Kandi/Person trade , and deal Brand for Mobley/Griffin/Rice, they meet the spending requirement and about $15MM comes off the Clips books next year. Sterling could sell it as creating cap room for next year's FA class, which could include the likes of Kobe and others. Actually, it makes quite a bit of sense. Someone shoot some holes in my theory. I'm getting too excited.
Ok, give me some feedback here. So, if the Clips let Miller and Maggette walk, they are $20 mil under the mimimum salary expenditure limit. SO, if Brand signs the qualifying offer of what....$6 mill, and Odom signs the qualifying offer of ........$4.7 million, then the Clips gotta go get somebody and give them roughly $9.3 million????????? What would happen in that scenario? Aren't they gonna have to pay somebody? If so, then aren't they at least gonna match one of either Maggette or Miller to cover that $9.3 million??????
i bet brand follows maggete since they are friends. really really good friends if you know what i mean
Having Taylors agent rep. Brand might be the best thing, for he knows we will overpay. Really I've felt Brand would be a possibility if the Rox pushed for it. LA says they will match any offer, than that means they want that player back right. If you really want Brand then why go through this at all, why not offer him a contract ext. last season. Every other team that had a stud player didn't want to risk losing them so they offered them a big contract before they can leave. Brand was not offered this from the clipps. They would keep him for the qualifing price only! Thier history also shows;They are bluffing; its obvious. Brand would fit in well here and we could give up EG and Rice. You really don't have to give more becuase they don't want too many contracts. They would recieve another young player for thier minor leauge team in EG. An expireing contract in Rice. And we could possible through in a daft pick which they seem to love. The more important issue is the Rox need to talk to Brand and try to convince him this is the place for him. If he bites then start to wheel and deal, real him in. Yes also we would have to over pay but nowadays who doesn't. Odam is too much of a risk to be another overpaid wasted talent.
If we hold onto Hakeem (resign him to a 2-year contract) and don't resign Taylor in that summer of 2001, we will have a real shot at getting an Odom outright right now. So we essentially HAVE TRADED Odom for Taylor. But yeah, it's a pipe dream now. Don't think we can do the un-trade.
Taylor,Anderson,and Norris should have been let go and Hakeem signed t 8m for 2yr like big punk Robinson. This season even with Cato's absurd contract, we could make a run at whoever we wanted.
I just read on the nba inside dish that Rasho will sign with the Spurs. If this is true and Howard signs with Orlando, part 2 of my plan should go into effect. Trade Cato and Taylor to Minny for Jackson and Brandon. Taylor keeps Garnett at the 3spot and Cato gives them a center. Jackson gives us a backup at the 4 and 5 spot and Brandon comes off the books in January. Lets do it.
Remember, we are not allowed to use time travel to undo any prior Rockets' transaction. Otherwise, it could effect the entire course of human history, and we could wake up with Yao wearing a Chicago Bulls uniform, and Jay Williams laying in a hospital bed in the Houston Medical Center.
I don't see why the Clips would take Cat in a sign and trade, when they can just match Maggette for about the same money. And why do they need EG, when they already have three power forwards? Trading with the Clips is a pipe dream. As to Memphis, we'd have to give up Cato to get Person, and I would bet Jerry West would take Kandi (at a lesser salary) than Cato. Our only means of shaking up this roster is probably via trades with Miami or Minnesota, receiving overpaid players in return. Regretably, I think our big splash will be Piatkowski and a second round selection who will be playing in Europe.
