Cato to Memphis for Battier and Swift? ************** has an article about how Memphis is looking for a center, particularly a defensive minded rebounding one. Cato sound like a good fit, while SB could help at the 3- good D, pretty good outside shooting, and leadership potential. Swift seems hyper-athletic and would benefit playing next to Yao. I think it may help both teams, any thoughts?
I don't care how bad they need a center. They're not gonna trade two of their most promising players for Kelvin Cato.
They already have Lorenzen Wright and he's better than Cato. They'd get better offers if the rumor to move the two were true.
Who is better than Cato that would actually be available? Teams don't trade good big men, and Cato is a good servicable big man. He was second in the league in rebounds per minute played, and he is a very good shot blocker. The article said that they wanted good rebounding defensive minded center. History show that you have to overpay for big guys. Plus they already have Gasol in front of Swift, who they were really down on last year until he showed signs of life towards the end of the season. They have Miller and Posey in front of Battier. I personally don't think Wright is that much better than Cato when you look at their overall games. Wright is better offensively, but not in the rebounding department or defensively. Plus, a Wright/Cato combo would give them a VERY solid rotation at the 5. I think if you threw in a future first you could easily have a deal.
Who knows why they do anything lately. Why did they draft Drew Gooden over Amare Studamire/Caron Butler? ( they already had Stromile Swift) Why did they trade with Boston in the draft to add more guards/swingmen? ( they gave up Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks for Troy Bell and Daunthay Jones) Why did they sign James Posey to that RIDICULOUS contract when they already have Battier/Dickerson/Person/Jones/Bell/Miller so please don't ask why. Memphis is turning into a loaded team with same positions. so i really could see the grizz calling Houston for Cato maybe we could get Swift and Jones or Battier for Cato and filler? I'm sure Jerry West has a couple of bonehead moves left under his belt. but the question is WHY? p.s. Mike Miller would work perfect in Houston. hhhmmmm
Also, before you discount Cato's value: 2 or 3 years ago I know they had him set to go to Denver for Raef straight up, BUT the game he came back from the high ankle sprain he hurt his shoulder and the trade was called off. That was before his very good season last year.
Is Swift really any better than EG? I think he has been more of a bust than EG. I love having Cato on the bench, but definitely wouldn't mind picking up Battier though.
lorenzen wright better than cato? first of all i don't agree with that at all. secondly, he can only even attempt to be better than cato when he's healthy, which he rarely is. honestly, i wouldn't even be interested in this trade. i agree with whoever it was who said they consider swift to be a bigger bust than EG. battier is a solid player. maybe he'd work at small forward in our system. he isn't really quick enough to play shooting guard effectively.
Would anyone be interested in a Cato for Battier/Brevin Knight? Battier becomes our starting 3 and Knight gives us a solid back up point who's contract ends at the end of the year. West has already said that he's looking for more size, and isn't dealing Wright or Swift. It leaves us with a gap at the back up 5 spot, but I think it makes us a better team.
I think that Swift has an advantage over EG physically. I think if you looked at ultimate potential EG has more, but i just think that Swift could easily turn into the "thug" type power forward I think we could use. He wouldn't have to worry about getting his own shot as I think that Yao could set him up with regularity. I would like to see him focus on rebounding and defense, and I think that his physical strength would allow him to be better than EG in that particular role. BTW the trade I proposed did not include EG, and I don't think it would work under the cap. If I remember correctly Cato salary equaled Swift's and Battier's combined.
I peresonally dont want to trade Cato, but if they were gonna trade him, this would be the time, he is coming off of a career year.... the point of the story..."they (Grizzlies) could get worse"... He is no worse than Todd MacCollugh or Jim McIlvaine, and they were the starting centers for their teams at one time
Add Snack bar to that trade and also 2 future round draft picks. You got yourself a deal, since they got posey they dont need Battier and Battier is better than posey. Muahhahahaha
I don't like the idea of trading Cato without a plan B to aquire a backup 5 until Yao's health and availability situation is cleared up. How bad is his facial injury and will he be here for training camp or even the start of the season for that matter. I don't think a starting line up with MoT and EG at the 4 & 5 is the big splash Les wants to open Toyota Center with.
