Exchanging D-Mo for LMA gives the Rockets 8 points and 3 rebounds a game. Assuming D-Mo does not improve next season, which would be a bad assumption. LMA is not an efficient scorer. An Efg% of 33% from three point land outscores LMA in PPP by a significant margin. He is the anti-Morey player.
It's been mentioned here before but trading Llull's rights to Toronto, if they want to move Lowry, makes a lot of sense, if he's willing to come over. Something like this may be the hold up, else, I think not realizing anything publically only helps the Rockets in terms of trade and FA negotiations and leaving teams guessing on what we're doing. Much like "showing interest in Draymond," I think it's all Morey trying to muddy up the waters. In regards to Llull, I think we know A LOT more than what's being mentioned in the press. The only reason to sign him right now is if there's an immense amount of pressure coming from Llull's camp, otherwise, it helps the Rockets a ton more to wait a week or two before finalizing and publicizing everything.
I may be way off base, but I get the feeling that Llull might be waiting on us. Morey would always like to sort out the top talent guys first. For example, if Bledsoe is available for an acceptable price, we probably would go elsewhere with the MLE. Even if it was a guy like LMA, it's just smarter to get those big deals figured out before you start using you exceptions and resigning other guys and all that. Since we hold Llull's rights, there's no hurry for us to sign him even if he has expressed his desire to come over and the MLE money is right. It makes more sense to pursue the big moves first and see that as a solid falback. (Unless Llull puts a deadline on us)
Whatever, I thought I would give a shot. I have the mind set on just improving the pg position and signing most of our free agents. Then going go to war.
Looks like we were writing similar Llull posts at the same time, and I totally agree with you here. I think it's very unlikely that the hold up is still from Llull's side. It might be finalizing a few small details, but in general I think it's Houston on a wait and see approach before dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
I have another trade. I am not sure Portland would take it though. Trevor Ariza, Kpap, Terrence Jones, Joey Dorsey, and Nick Johnson for LMA
Llull to toronto doesnt make sense. Firstly they have the asw and they want all stars for that no old rookies. Secondly they never are a free agent destination and the freed up cap space wont help them get anyone coveted. We have to throw too much to toronto to agree to deal lowry.
And then people don´t understand ignorant individuals hating on analytical people. You have people throwing numbers around comparing players that play different roles, in different systems, with different players around them. Do whatever it takes to propel this agenda that runs wild in this forum that DMO is/is going to be a great player in this league, yes LMA is barely any better then DMO
Who would I rather have? Money being equal, probably Llull. He's a better career three-point shooter, and seems to rely a lot less on the postup/mid range game. Lull is also pretty great on the break. I think Stuckey had a very solid season, but I think Llull is a better fit on this team. I also wouldn't worry about the transition period. Llull is not Dirk/Ginobili/Antetokounmpo/etc. that came straight over and had to take a year or more to really adjust to the league and fill their potential. He's much more comparable to Scola who started producing right away. It took him maybe a couple weeks to adjust to the pace and style, and then he was good to go. That's what I expect from Llull if he comes over.
I think you probably wonder too much I'd have to think that the same teams looking at Sergio L are also looking at Sergio R. If he's also wanting to come over that gives teams needing a PG more options among many other free agents such as Rondo, Jackson, Joseph, etc. that they don't have to trade their best assets for. I think it's definitely possible that Llull could get traded but I doubt he'd be the coveted centerpiece when the new team still needs to negotiate a contract and hoped he transitions well. A for effort or C for crackpot theory. If we see some reports out there or at least a Cyberx rumor then it's interesting but given the Rockets are the ones in the greatest need I see no reason why their public courtship is actually just a courtship for him to join the Houston Rockets and not a convoluted way of selling him to another team so you can create a trade for a higher priced player of the same position who will take a mountain of assets to pry away.
IMHO there is almost no chance D-Mo will be a better player than LMA was in his prime. But D-Mo is 25 and LMA is on the wrong side of 30. I am optimistic that in 2 years D-Mo will be a better player than LMA. The average peak performance of NBA players is 27.4 years.
I wouldn't either but you miss the point. Signing Llull early eliminates him from any trade possibilities. I think you over value Llull. I am a fan but for all his success he hasn't played one minute here and Rubio is a proven playmaker and true pg. Plus you forget trading Llull opens up the MLE for McDaniel, Harrell and Wood. I like Llull but I would consider trading him for Rubio if it meant locking up McDaniel and Harrell for several years. If Harrell's smart he will do what McDaniel did last year and he is one and done with us. Don't know what will happen but I can assure you Morey is considering his options. And trading Llull's rights is one of them.
100% agree with the Rubio stuff. Just depends on what we have to give up to make the salaries work. If it means locking up guys like KJ (and maybe Smith if he wants more than the non-Bird tender of ~$2.4 million) The only thing I'm not sure on though is the trading Llull part. From what I understand, Llull would still be classified as a rookie, and because of that we could sign him to the MLE and then be allowed to trade him 30 days from that and use his salary to help facilitate a deal just like Wiggins last summer. That could be wrong (Bima?), but that's what I thought.
