Not sure if bolded part is true. Sure, the Rockets do have more money, but are they willing to spend it on Smoove? Or do you mean more money to operate other deals as well as the one for Smoove?
The problem with Smoove in LA is that he'd basically be forfeiting ANY opportunity for legit minutes and future earning power. Griffin and Jordan are both max guys in the prime of their careers who will play 36+ minutes/game, so he's essentially looking at fighting with Aldrich and Baby over 24 spot minutes off the bench. It's not that Josh would START in Houston, but there's a much clearer path to minutes. Motiejunas is no Blake Griffin, and even Dwight is likely going to be on a minutes restriction, at least for the regular season. Josh can easily play 30 minutes in a game if he's playing well. Minutes are there for the taking. In LA, no matter how well he plays, they're not. If he really loves LA, I guess it's possible... but it would mean Josh taking less money for this upcoming season and playing fewer minutes, thereby also reducing his future earnings. It just really doesn't make a lot of sense and feels a lot more like an agent trying to find a "threat" to use against the Rockets in negotiations.
Not to mention Motiejunas gets in foul trouble and can't stay on the court for an extended amount of time sometimes. Howard, too. Depending on how the game is being called.
if the clippers trade crawford for hay contract then they can offer similar money to the Rockets I think. But just because they are in pursuit doesn't mean they will get him.
I was just about to suggest the same thing - hard to believe Smoove would seriously consider playing behind Blake and Jordan on a drama filled team. Also hard to see Smoove going to the Clippers after he was a huge part of finishing them off in the playoffs last year. Can't see it....so your probably right that's his agent trying to squeeze a few thousand more out of a team to pad his pockets.
I think the Clippers only has minimum wage to spend now that DeAndre is back and they used their (tax-payer) MLE slot to sign Paul Pierce. Houston has "non-Bird" rights on Smoove so they have little issue with spending up to $2.49M on him. I think that, rationally, HOU is an attractive choice for Smoove in the absence of an extremely high $ offer. But these decisions may not be made rationally.
@JeffZillgitt: Caron Butler's deal w/Kings is two years, $3 million w/player option on second year, per person with info on deal. @WojYahooNBA first w/news
As far as an irrational choice goes, I think Sacramento is the only team that could fit that description. Like The Cat pointed out earlier, I've got to believe that if it came down to choosing between the Clippers and the Rockets, he'd choose the team that has already welcomed him, he feels a comfort level with his teammates, and a place where he's laid some roots. LAC doesn't offer him the playing time, the money, or the ability to enhance his image and value for future contracts the same way Houston does. Now, if he goes to Sacto, I don't know what to tell you.
So does this eliminate Sacramento as an option? Or is this just something else to try and entice Smoove to go there?
No, they cannot. Essentially outside of trading one of Griffin, Jordan or Paul for no salary back, the Clippers can offer Smoove no more than the vet minimum.
I hope J Smoove comes back to H-Town....people don't realize how big of an impact he had on our success last season! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCuDkQ3rUmY
yes. If deron it's 10 per they may only have the room mle to offer to Smoove. They certainly can't pp KJ anymore.
