Rockets - 2003 NBA Free Agent Watch

Anyone on the list that can be of interest to the Rockets?

The Rockets' signing of Eric Piatkowski means that James Posey is likely heading to Memphis. With the Hawks newfound saving, will they get into the Lamar Odom hunt?

Here's Insider's latest look at who's going where . . .

Also see: Updated Depth Charts

Complete 2003 free agent list
Key: (R) = restricted free agent

1. Lamar Odom, SF, Clippers (R)
In the mix? Heat, Nuggets, Hawks, Clippers
Outlook: That Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on Friday that the Hawks would be interested in a sign-and-trade for Odom, but the chances of that happening appear to be very slim. Odom left Miami on Wednesday without an offer sheet from the Heat. From all accounts Odom wants to play in Miami and coach Pat Riley is in love. So what's the hold up? A couple of things. First, Odom is looking for a deal that averages at least $10 million a year. That's six years, for $60 million, if you do that math. Second, because the Clippers are also interested and are giving signals that they'll match, he's also leaning toward a shorter contract. A three-year, $30 million deal would work for Odom (and likely scare off the Clippers, who were offering three years for $24 million), but at a starting salary of $9 million a year, would the Heat balk? Finally, the Heat want to wait and see what the Clippers do with Corey Maggette before making a move.
Insider Prediction: The Heat may give Odom an offer, but it looks like the Clips will match.

2. Jason Terry, SG, Hawks (R)
In the mix? Hawks, Nuggets, Sonics
Outlook: 6-foot-2 shooting guard anyone? Anyone? The market for Terry could still be open if the Clippers were to match the Jazz's and Nuggets' offers for Corey Maggette and Andre Miller, respectively.
Insider Prediction: The Hawks drafted a big point guard in Boris Diaw so they can afford to keep Terry around as a bargain.

3. Elden Campbell, C, Sonics
In the mix? Pistons, Knicks, Mavs
Outlook: Sources in Detroit told Insider Wednesday night that the Pistons were on the verge of signing center Elden Campbell to a two-year deal starting at $4 million a season. Campbell's agent, Richard Howell, declined comment on the deal. The signing is expected to happen on Friday.
Insider Prediction: The Pistons add yet another 7-footer.

4. Reggie Miller, SG, Pacers
In the mix? Pacers, Spurs, Nets, Lakers
Outlook: It's hard to fathom a situation where the Pacers don't re-sign Miller. Then again, Karl Malone and Gary Payton bolted for less money and a chance to win a ring; would Miller do the same?
Insider Prediction: The Pacers should be able to keep him around.

5. Stephen Jackson, SF, Spurs (R)
In the mix? Nuggets, Hawks
Outlook: The Spurs will have to renounce free agent Stephen Jackson to get far enough under the cap to add Turkoglu and Mercer to the fold. That means that Jackson is now in play. Agent Dan Fegan told the Denver Post that he's had conversations with the Nuggets about Jackson. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on Friday that the Hawks have interest in Jackson.
Insider Prediction: It looks like Jackson won't return to the Alamo.

6. Ognjen Askrabic, PF, Yugoslavia
In the mix? Mavs, Jazz, Nuggets, Sonics
Outlook: He's the top young free agent in Europe right now. Askrabic is the top player in the Yugoslavian league. His inside-outside game is very impressive -- he's got great range on his jumper and is tough as nails in the paint. However, he's a bit undersized to play the four and lacks the quickness to guard threes.
Insider Prediction: The Mavs have shown interest for years, but it could be the Jazz who actually land him. He could have a Gordan Giricek-type impact his rookie season.

7. Derrick Coleman, PF, Sixers
In the mix? Sixers, Pistons
Outlook: The Sixers have begun to negotiate with Coleman over a new contract, but they're not going to break the bank for him. Larry Brown would love to add him to the mix in Detroit, but the addition of Campbell probably ends that.
Insider Prediction: The Sixers give Coleman a pay cut.

8. Darrell Armstrong, PG, Magic
In the mix? Pacers, Spurs, Heat,
Outlook: Armstrong's options are drying up. Washington and Golden State were interested, but they went in different directions. With the Magic signing Tyronn Lue, his days in Orlando appear to be numbered. The Pacers, Spurs and Heat all need help at the point.
Insider Prediction: He'd be a solid fit in Indiana.

9. Jumaine Jones, SF, Cavs (R)
In the mix? Sonics, T-Wolves
Outlook: Jones is proably a little underrated. He's a poor man's Robert Horry and should find some sort of club to stick with.
Insider Prediction: The Sonics could use more size and he'd probably come cheap.

10. Tyrone Hill, PF, Sixers
In the mix? Mavs, T-Wolves, Sonics
Outlook: Hill is a scrappy rebounder who should be able to contribute on a team that needs help cleaning the glass.
Insider Prediction: Look for the Mavs to bring him in if they can't get the forward they are looking for via trade.

11. Predrag Drobnjak, PF, Sonics (R)
In the mix? Sonics, Knicks, Grizzlies, Suns
Outlook: Drobnjak is another tough big man who will crash the boards and play with his back to the basket. He's also an excellent face-up shooter. The Sonics have his rights and will likely match if Drobnjak doesn't get a big offer.
Insider Prediction: Drobnjak would give the Grizzlies another big body, but it appears Jerry West has his sights set a little higher.

12. Jon Barry, SG, Pistons;
In the mix? Lakers, Pacers, Nets
Outlook: He's the best shooter left on the board. Barry's the consummate sixth man who can light it up when the game is on the line. He visted Indiana last Friday.
Insider Prediction: It depends on whether Carlos Delfino will stay in Europe another season. There are conflicting reports but the latest is that he may be coming to Detroit.

13. Kenny Anderson, PG, Hornets
In the mix? ???
Outlook: He may still have personality issues, but Anderson is still a top talent. He'll land somewhere, the question is where?
Insider Prediction: Someone looking for a veteran point, think Miami, might give him a shot.

14. Jim Jackson, SF, Kings
In the mix? Kings, T-Wolves, Lakers
Outlook: Jackson had a great year in Sacramento last season, but it's unclear whether the Kings really want to keep him. They should be careful, both the T-Wolves and Lakers need bodies and he's a steal at the minimum.
Insider Prediction: Look for the Wolves to keep adding away to their roster. If the Spree trade goes down, they'll have a $1.5 million trade exception to use.

15. Earl Boykins, PG, Warriors
In the mix? Nuggets, Jazz, Pistson, Heat
Outlook: The diminutive point guard is probably out of a job now that the Warriors have decided to sign Speedy Claxton. Not to worry. Several other teams need a point guard in the worst way and Boykins has proven he can be a major spark off the bench.
Insider Prediction: He'd be a nice change of pace with Andre Miller in Denver.

Best of the Rest: (in order by team) Dion Glover, SG, Hawks; DerMarr Johnson, SG, Hawks; Donnell Harvey, PF, Nuggets; Travis Best, PG, Heat; LaPhonso Ellis, SF, Heat; Rafer Alston, PG, Raptors; Voshon Lenard, SG, Raptors; Samakai Walker, PF, Lakers; Vladimir Stephania, C, Heat.

Off the market (* = deal reportedly agreed to, but unsigned)

Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers: 7 years, $126 million
Tim Duncan, Spurs: 7 years, $122 million
Jason Kidd, Nets: 6 years, $103 million
Elton Brand, Clippers: 6 years, $82.2 million
Brad Miller, Kings: 7 years, $68 million Gilbert Arenas, offer sheet with Wizards: 6 years, $65 million
Richard Hamilton, Pistons: 7 years, $62 million
Andre Miller, offer sheet with Nuggets: 6 years, $51 million
Corey Maggette, offer sheet with Jazz: 6 years, $45 million
Rasho Nesterovic, Spurs: 6 years, $42 million
Kenny Thomas, Sixers: 7 years, $40 million
P. J. Brown, Hornets: 4 years, $34 million
Juwan Howard, Magic: 5 years, $28 million
James Posey, offer sheet with Grizzlies: 4 years, $23 million
Michael Olowokandi, T-Wolves: 3 years, $16.2 million
Kevin Ollie, Cavs: 5 years, $14 million
Ira Newble, Cavs: 4 years, $12.3 million
Gary Payton, Lakers: 2 years, $10.4 million
Scottie Pippen, Bulls: 2 years, $10.4 million
Speedy Claxton, Warriors: 3 years, $10 million
Robert Horry, Spurs: 2 years, $9 million
Eric Piatkowski, Rockets: 3 years, $8 million
Antonio Daniels, Sonics: 3 years, $6.6 million
Brian Skinner, Bucks: 3 years, $5 million
Andrew DeClerq, Magic: 2 years, $5 million
Jake Voskuhl, Suns: 3 years, $5 million
Walter McCarty, Celtics: 3 years, $4.1 million
Karl Malone, Lakers: 2 years, $3.1 million
Erick Strickland, Bucks: 2 years, $3.1 million
Tyronn Lue, Magic, 2 years, $3.1 million
Mark Blount, Celtics: 2 years, $3 million
Scott Williams, Suns: 1 year, $1.1 million
Sean Rooks, Hornets: 1 year
Anthony Johnson, Pacers: 1 year
Damon Jones, Bucks: ?
Jerome Moiso, Raptors: ?
Milt Palacio, Raptors: ?
Amal McCaskil, Sixers: ?

 

ESPN Insider has our 1st String, 2nd String and backups setup...

HOUSTON ROCKETS

1.
Steve Francis
Cuttino Mobley
Yao Ming
Glen Rice
Eddie Griffin

2.
Moochie Norris
Eric Piatkowski
Kelvin Cato
Terence Morris (U)
Mo Taylor

3.
Tito Maddox (U)
James Posey (R)
Jason Collier (U)
Bostjan Nachbar
Malik Badiane*

4.

Juaquin Hawkins (U)

Is this any good or does it need improvement?