Like everyone, I would love to see one of the big name UFA's sign (Artest, Maggette, etc.) with the Rocks, but realistically we probably are more likely to end up with one of the following: Ricky Davis-Good shooter/scorer who appears to have finally matured and could help at SF and SG James Jones-Great shooting SF. Roger Mason-Size (6'5") and skills to play the 1 and the 2. He shot 39% last year from the arc on over 300 attempts. Maurcie Evans-Decent shooter that could bring some size as a backup 2. Jarvis Hayes-Swingman with a good all around game Fred Jones-undersized two, but can light it up on occasions. I think all of these guys could serve a role on the Rockets. What do you think? Who else is out there?
"undersized two" should knock jones right off that list of possibilities. i'd be interested in mo evans. he played for the lakers and pistons. he'd be a valued addition in the playoffs. the top 3 guys and hayes will probably re-sign with their current team.
Does anyone know how much the Rockets will have to spend this sumer? Do they have any trade exceptions? What is the MLE expected to be?
James Jones would be a nice addition, he's a good defender and a very good 3pt shooter. He just opted out of Portland so i guess he's willing to play elsewhere. From what i've read, the MLE is little less than 6 million.
You are probably correct, but the fact that they are all unrestricted makes them intriguing and worth contacting IMO. Didn't James Jones opt out?
I would add one more UFA -- undrafted Richard Roby of Colorado. He is 6-6, athletic and has a sweet stroke. He would be available for an invitation to our summer league team and then for the rookie minimum -- zero to little risk for a possible gem.
If no better options are available, I think Chris Duhon could help spell minutes from Rafer while working for 2-3 mill per year. Unlike Brooks he plays good defense and is a pass-first PG.
Perusing through the full list, I found some other names that haven't been mentioned yet. Most of them are not worth it unless we have no better options and just need a stopgap, and the rest are probably priced out of our league. Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston, LA Clippers Antawn Jamison, Washington Eddie House, James Posey, Boston Ronald Murray, Kareem Rush, Indiana DeSagana Diop, New Jersey Ron Artest, Beno Udrih, Sacramento Brent Barry, San Antonio
For those who want to take a chance, Shaun Livingston may not even get a tender from the Clippers, which will make him an unrestricted free agent. I doubt he gets anything more than the LLE, if at all that amount. The Rockets might also want to look into the Grizzlies glut at point guard. Kyle Lowry could be expendable since Mayo and Conley are in town. The free agents that I'd like are from Golden State. I would be happy with we ended up with Barnes or Pietrus. I'd be ECSTATIC if we sign and traded for Monta Ellis. He's the only free agent point guard I'm interested in now that Calderon will stay a Raptor. The upgrade at point guard will need to happen via trade, and it needs to happen before the season starts so he could get familiar with the offense and teammates. I think Morey and Adelman know this, too. But realistically, the trade won't happen until the deadline because that's when the sales begin.
I'd like to see how he goes in the summer league. Unfortunatly, I think it looks like we wont have a spot for him on the roster, unless we get rid of some trash, (Head/Hayes) for a future pick or something like that.
The thing is that we always pick up under the radar guys, but we need to this offseason pick up a bonafide third scorer that is borderline all-star allready
I would take a flyer on Livingston a 2 yr minimum deal. Not expect much from him this year but the next. Stash him in the D-League until he ready to roll Rocket River
Bostjan Nachbar- great shooter and more polished player than failed project Steve Novak (also very ironic) Tony Allen- physical defender from championship winning Boston Celtics/very cheap James Posey- would give you the flexibility to move Shane's contract. Gerald Greene- local product brought in to compete. Can't be worse than LH Ben 'Flash' Gordon- with the glut of guards in Chicago we may be able to work a sign-and-trade for this incredible sixth man
Desagna Diop will be great as a backup Center but I don't know if we should take him since we have a lot of big men. I think our priority should be a guy like Mickael Pietrus or Matt Barnes.
If Diop is available of course you grab him. Twin Towers baby! Of course there are a couple of guys I like already that are unsigned in Garbajosa and Navarro.
