Some of you are acting like Von quit on the team or something last year. In the NBA, 3.5 million isn't a huge contract. He probably can pull something a little better. Have none of you guys ever taken another job that was parallel in every way, except paid more money? I'm currently working at one, and none of my friends or co-workers at my old job thought any less of me for it. They were happy for me and envious in a way. I'm proud of Wafer and happy that he's finally made a name for himself. He may be a moron sometimes on the court, but he's worked to get where he is, and I've got no problem with him cashing in if he can.
I'd like to add Gortat and would hate to see Wafer go, but can't blame him for taking more money. I am glad the Rockets aren't going to pay him that though the more I think about it.
I agree totally. That's like saying, "Why are we trying to trade Shane Battier, who has been a solid leader and undervalued player on our roster for all of these years AND Aaron Brooks, who gave us MUCH more than expected when everyone was saying handing him the keys meant we were rebuilding, at less than 2 mil. For who? Some guy who might not even play next season, and has never stepped foot on an NBA court." It's about business.
Thinking a second round pick is going to bring more than Von did is wishful thinking. If he was someone that people thought could step in and give you an efficient 10 ppg in 20 minutes he would have been picked in the top 15 if not the top 10 in the draft. Maybe he develops into a decent NBA player down the road but I'm still hoping the Rockets are trying to go for a Championship now.
Didn't Michael Redd go in the second round? This time last year no one gave Von a chance of making the team. I think some people are now putting blinders on regarding Von and acting like he was a sure thing when he came in and that he's gonna be so hard to replace. I'll miss him, but he's not worth the kind of money he wants. If we do rebuild, I'd convince him to sign a 1 yr deal for 2-3 million and make him a focal point of the offense so that he can build his own value even more.
Von was one in a hundred. Morey even said that. I don't think the Rockets are going to get that lucky again by picking up a player nobody else wanted. Morey seems to be a great judge of talent but second round players rarely ever make an impact and even those guys usually take a while to produce. If Von didn't want to play for $3.5 million then let him walk but let's not pretend his production is easy to replace because it is not. I don't really get how people think you can just plug Taylor into Von's spot and get the same production. It's the same as last year when people acted as if Dorsey was going to come in and replace Landry and Hayes.
Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 98-99 HOU 49 37 29.7 0.425 0.358 0.818 0.4 1.8 2.3 2.5 0.9 0.5 1.61 2.00 9.9 Season Team G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 08-09 HOU 63 11 19.4 0.447 0.390 0.752 0.3 1.5 1.8 1.1 0.6 0.1 0.94 1.10 9.7 You can't say never... Do you know who owned the first stat line?
Apparently, my previous objection was too mealy-mouthed. Offers cannot be extended to free agents until tonight. This report is complete BS.
They drafted two wings to replace Wafer because Morey wants to throw the MLE at Gortat. I think that is a good move. I could also see Morey trading for another BIG in addition to Gortat. Lets hope White,Taylor or Budinger can replace Wafer. Morey is betting one of them can. I think Yaos' injury has made them value the backup C position more. McGady probably will not be traded. I think Morey most likely thinks the Rox will be in the loto next year. That is a main reason he tried to trade Battier and Brooks for Rubio. This coud be a blessing in disguise. 2010's team if everything goes right. PG Rubio, Lowery SG Artest, Lotto pick, Taylor SF MLE signing, Lotto pick, Budinger PF Scola, Landry C Yao (Heathy and well rested after a year off) Gortat, Hayes I think that team is young talented and has a chance to win a championship.
I wouldn't be surprised if teams are already talking to agents... Do you think Rashard Lewis had a contract worked out in just one day? Just an example of possible conversations before the "start time"
I think teams can start talking to agents of RFA and FAs as soon as the players season is over, but they cannot send over an actual contract with all the legal details until midnight eastern tonight. I am sure the rockets brass may have talk to wafers agent and said that they were hoping to offer him the 3.5 million and his agent said no. Tonight/tomorrow is when a lot of things are just brought to light as teams start making their formal offers to players
Wafer rejected 3.5 million? That must be a speculation, I do not think the rockets would give him so much money when they already know Yao is having a big trouble. No true.
Why wouldn't they want to resign one of their young guys after they find out they probably have to rebuild? I am of the opinion that Wafer isn't worth 3.5 mil a year. But I am also of the opinion that Wafer is more likely to be re-signed if the reports on Yao are accurate, which I think they are.
Morey said on the radio that the rockets can not talk with Ron, and Wafer before July 1. My guess is that the team can not talk to agents too, but I am not sure.
Damn, Wafer was one of my favorite Rockets....too bad. Good Luck elsewhere. Let's see....I still have Scola now....
