ESPN Link to Article Long-time Clipper signs three-year deal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement on a three-year contract with Eric Piatkowski, taking the best available long-distance shooter off the open market, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. The three-year deal is worth approximately $9 million and confirms that the Rockets won't be matching Memphis' four-year, $24 million offer to restricted free agent James Posey. Houston deemed Piatkowski a more cost-efficient option, given its $55 million payroll and need for a perimeter specialist. Piatkowski's agent, Jeff Austin, said the longtime Los Angeles Clipper was ready to join a team primed for a playoff appearance. "He is excited to be joining a team he expects to be in the playoffs," Austin told Houston television station KRIV. Piatkowski has played in only three playoff games in his nine years with the Clippers. The formal signing of Piatkowski, 32, is scheduled for Saturday. The 6-6 swingman, a career 40.2-percent shooter from three-point range, has spent his entire nine-season career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Piatkowski just completed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Clippers -- the longest deal ever bankrolled by owner Donald T. Sterling before Sterling broke from his thrifty tradition to match Miami's six-year, $82 million offer to Elton Brand. Although Brand will remain in L.A., Piatkowski's departure means the Clippers lost all three of their unrestricted free agents this offseason. Center Michael Olowokandi accepted a three-year deal with Minnesota and backup center Sean Rooks signed with New Orleans. The Clippers also are poised to lose free agents Andre Miller and Corey Maggette if they don't match offer sheets made by Denver and Utah.
Well, we sign Piatkowski for half of what Posey will be earning in Memphis. With that being said, is Piatkowski half the player Posey would have been? I think so. I like this signing.
Who knows? Maybe Moochie will surprise us all this year with some improved play at the point position. Don't forget that we were all calling for Moochie to start at PG just a little over 1 year ago.
I'm warming up to the idea of losing Posey and getting Pike. It's not that I'd rather have Pike than Posey, but because of the salaries. We all like to complain about those Matt Maloney, Moochie, and Mo contracts, and I can't help but wonder if we'd later do so with Posey's contract if we matched it. If you look on the bright side, maybe the era of overspending for a marginal player is over. We can hope.
I definitely think we would regret matching Posey's contract. Posey just could not consistently hi the wide open jump shot and was an offensive liability. At SF we needed a better option than Posey. Is the Polish Rifle that option, No! But, it free up minutes for BOKI and he will become a better fit for the ROX than Posey would have been and he's under contract for a few years. Boki's shot will come around and the Polish Rifle will be a nice backup for Mobley at the SG position. I like the signing and the departure of Posey!!!!!!!
Okay, okay...so is Pike going to play the small forward position for us? I know he's been a shooting guard all of his career in L.A., but do the Rockets plan on offering him minutes at the 3? Or, is he just a marksman 2 coming off the bench for Mobes? Plainly put, where will Piatowski play, and will he start?
