I mean, it's not a Mark Cuban "Swing for the fences, fail, then try again" type move but there definitely is some logic behind it. They've been unable to make any noise with a Dirk/Terry/Howard trio so if you're going to shake things up Howard is the best player to shop. Keep in mind Stackhouse has a $7M expiring deal (only partially guaranteed) and Dumpier's $13M deal comes off the books after next season. Cuban isn't exactly known to have offseasons where his teams start out with more talent than they finish with. He would definitely have something up his sleeve.
Cuban just plain doesnt think things through. Props to him for rejuvinating the franchise, but look at his moves. Gets Dirk and Nash, cant win, lets Nash walk, gets Terry. The Finley debacle, Gets Dampier at a ridiculous price, pays Diop a stupid contract, hires Avery Johnson who becomes of the winningest coaches in the least amount of time, fires coach for a stupid reason, trades a future all star PG for Kidd to win now, gets worse, the Van Horn debacle, now is back on the youth movement kick and wants to move a proven player for a prospect who will be good right when Dirk exits his prime? He literally has no concept of planning ahead or constructing a quality team. Classic example of a kid who has too much money, too many emotions, and no business sense.
My Offseason Plan - Trade Tracy McGrady & Joey Dorsey to the New Jersey Nets for Vince Carter. - Trade Carl Landry, Brian Cook, & second round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike Miller. - Resign Ron Artest for 30 million, 3 years. - Sign Marcin Gortat for 12 million, 3 years (MLE). Houston: 2008-09 Depth Chart PG Aaron Brooks / Kyle Lowry SG Vince Carter / Mike Miller / Brent Barry SF Shane Battier / Ron Artest / James White PF Luis Scola / Chuck Hayes C Yao Ming / Marcin Gortat Good talented starters with a deep bench, very good defensive bench at that.
Chicago Bulls get SF/SG-Tracy McGrady PF-Carl Landry Houston Rockets get SF/SG-Luol Deng PF/SF-Tyrus Thomas C-Brad Miller
We don't need Vince Carter now, he would have been great at the trade deadline but why get him now when we have many more options to look at and younger players to be had for that position. Give me Richard Jefferson or Rip over Carter any day.
We didn't even need Vince Carter then. Why try to get McGrady's cousin whose main claim to fame is that at one point he was hyped to be the next big superstar but never showed it on the court when it mattered?
Incoming Players Hedo Turkoglu 6-8 SF / SG from Turkey (Foreign) 16.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.9 apg in 36.6 minutes J.J. Redick 6-5 SG from Duke 5.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.1 apg in 17.4 minutes Outgoing Players Shane Battier 6-8 SF from Duke 7.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg in 33.9 minutes Carl Landry 6-8 PF from Purdue 9.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.6 apg in 21.3 minutes
1. quality big man that can backup Yao 2. veteran point guard that can backup Brooks 3. big time shooter
Here's a lil more update of what I would do... My 2009 Houston Rockets Offseason Plan - Trade Tracy McGrady & Joey Dorsey to the Milwaukee Bucks for Michael Redd & Francisco Elson. - Trade Carl Landry, Brian Cook, & second round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike Miller. - Resign Ron Artest for 28 million, 3 years. Houston: 2008-09 Depth Chart PG Aaron Brooks / Kyle Lowry SG Michael Redd / Mike Miller / Brent Barry SF Shane Battier / Ron Artest / James White PF Luis Scola / Chuck Hayes C Yao Ming / Francisco Elson We get rid of T-Mac and get a scorer and a back up center for Yao.
Saw this posted on the Pistons board... Larry Brown told the Charlotte Observer last week he was concerned about a possible ownership change with the team apparently for sale. Michael Jordan, of course, is mentioned prominently. But franchise sales in this market are difficult, and rather than continuing to take losses, some executives believe Charlotte will follow the Memphis model and "gift" someone Emeka Okofor because of his big contract and maintain a payroll that can break even until a buyer is found. ... http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090608.html so... Okafor may be had, could we put together a package to get him. he'd be a perfit fit with Yao and Scola, he brings defense, athletism, and rebounding, young and hasn't peaked yet IMO.
True, but I would imagine Artest would have to play some Power Forward with Miller and Redd playing a lot of minutes at the 2 and 3.
Hmm.. Yao Okafor Battier Artest Lowry Can you say....Defense? We probably would have to throw in Landry to get him with Tmac. But that's a pretty good lineup, and Okafor is more than a solid offensive player.
Probably wouldnt be able to snag Diaw, he is a very underated player to be honest. Actually I might be thinking of Bell, I get them confused. Okafor is decent, but his contract length is insane. All in all, I would do it though.
