AI for Battier, Alston and expiring contracts trade rumors

To the boards credit, the majority of folks seem to think it's a bunch of BS....

 

now where you at, stephen A. smith??!!! we need your inside info on this..

 

If this rumor is true, I've got mixed feelings.

Normally, if you can give up just two role players for a guy Iverson's caliber, you take it in a heartbeat. But here's the catch:

1. We are already a very good team. With the addition of Barry and the sure improvement of Scola, we will be a contender IF both Yao and McGrady are healthy. (If either of them is injured in the playoffs, you can just forget it, no matter who you trade for.) Do you want to gut 40% of your starting lineup?

2. Iverson is not young. How long can he sustain his level of play, especially in light of the pounding he's been getting throughout his career? If we just want him to be a one or two-year rental, then it may not be worth it. I smell Barkley Part II. It will be a gamble that Iverson will put us over the top right away. And when he's gone, we'll go back to the middle of the pack without an asset like Battier and no high draft picks.

 

Let's win now! tmac getting old....

 

Even if it's Barkley II,we aren't going to win big with Battier and Rafer either.Battier's defense and smarts are hard to replace but at least you have the chance of adding a Quinton Ross and let Greene,Scolandry,Dorsey grow with the team. Keeping Battier and Rafer isn't going to get us high draft picks either. We are a middle of the pack team right now IMO.

 

The difference is we are not trading our young players for AI. I just cannot imagine battier or alston starting for us in 3 years anyway.

Again, it's too good to be true.

 

Financially, you aren't going to find a better "risk move". We've heard names like Vince Carter, Michael Redd, J-Rich and whoever else tossed around. Those guys all have huge, lengthy deals whereas AI's expires after this season.

I said this in another thread but trading for AI creates three options:

1) Trade is a home run and we're immediate title contenders
2) Trade doesn't work out and we have $22M expiring contract to play around with at the trade deadline
3) Trade does/doesn't work out, we let his deal come off the books then we either part ways or extend an offer for him to come back for cheap.

I would be excited about this "rumor" if it wasn't starting by some random Joe Schmoe on a message board.

 

It's the offseason, jackhole. Even if there is no truth at all to this, it makes sense and is interesting.

 

Truth be told, by his lonesome Battier isn't much of an asset either....unless you can find a dumb team to give up a high lotto pick for him (oops, already done). With or without this trade, our keys to rebuilding revolve around having tons of capspace in 2010 and arguably the games best center to attract free agents (assuming we don't win in the next 2 seasons).

 

The 2/3 is essentially the same spot. They call it the wing and is interchangable unless that 3 is just oversized. Battier can play the 2/3 as can Carmello. Also Battier came off the bench on a playoff grizz team. I actually think Battier is a 24-28 min bench player anyway. Tracy and Battier have been manning those 2 spots for the last couple of years. If the Rox drafted Gay, they would have 2 wing players. The only time its really defined is when you have the size differential. Its basically the same position.

 

Taking into consideration how AI is an expiring contract, every Rockets fan should be crossing their fingers that this report has some legs under it.

I would do this deal everyday of the week.

AI gives the Rockets a 3rd scoring option, and a tough cover at PG for opposing teams.

And if T-Mac or Yao goes down, like they're pone to do, AI is right there to make up for lost proudction.

AI is a borderline HOF'er.

DO IT MOREY!

 

I'd seriously doubt that Morey would do this trade, I doesn't make any sense to lose two good defensive players to add a scorer with no defense.

 

He's a lock for the HOF.

 

Sold!

 

AI should be a 1st ballot HOF.

WE NEED TO TRADE BATTIER AT ANY COST! The Gay/Battier trade was good since he wasn't going to get much playing time under JVG, but I think that Gay had more trade value than just Battier.

 

Although I am not a big fan of AI right now (I use to be), his contract expiring this season does make a lot difference. Good point baller4life315!

 

Everyone wanted a #3 scoring option, well, here he is. It is a definite upgrade that the PG position. I would do it now. I really hope this is not a flat out lie, and this rumor actually has some legs to it. I'm getting too excited.

 

AI, while average on defense, gambles a lot for steals. He is constantly one of the top swipers in the league. This would help us get those easy baskets/fast breaks that have plagued us the last 5 years.

I think the core of our D is good enough to take away a little from our core team defense to create easy shots and have a better offense. Barry could take over Shane's role in the corner.

I think if all you lose is Battier and Alston, you do this in a heartbeat.

 

Im not sure if the rockets could pull off this trade, but how can you say AI does not play defense, he has more steals than Alston. he has more assists than Alston. cuz AI goes to the basket, and will draw 2-3 defenders on him, and then he will pass out..

ther problem is that there are too many GREAT pg in the west.. CP3, Deron Williams.. Steve Nash, Tony Parker...the rockets do need a better PG than Alston in order for them to go deep

 

Iverson is a hall of fame player and you guys are crying for battier and scrubs? lol

I hope this is true.