http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-11-12 Free agent market in 2011 is pretty bleak, especially for centers. If I understand correctly, if the season is cancelled, next summer will have two years worth of free agents? That seems like a buyers' market for sure. I wonder how much Greg Oden could be gotten for. The talent is there, just have to make sure the salary is commensurate with the enormous injury risk.
Can we turn Thabeet into Drummond? Maybe if we start Thabeet for rest of the season, the sacrifice might land us a top 3 pick and we can grab Drummond.
The Rockets obviously disagree with this, given how hard they went after Nene at the deadline, but I think we need to take a step back before going forward. There are no gamechanging centers available. The best case is that we sign Marc Gasol. That's what, 1st round or 2nd round appearance? We still wouldn't be anywhere close to a true contender. We'd just "pretty good". And I don't want any "pretty good" Rockets team. I will bite the bullet in order to get that potential "great" team. One that isn't a darkhorse but a true contender. A team that at least has a solid chance to beat any team in the NBA in a series. And I'd rather wait a bit for that team than trying to immediately have the Rockets become that mediocre lower-level playoff team with no potential going forward.
Gasol and a bunch of other RFAs after the 2010-2011 season never got a chance to sign a one year qualifying offer for the 2011-2012 season. Is this something the Players' Union would fight in the new CBA if this season isn't played? With the potential large number of FAs due to two seasons worth of FAs plus amnesty cuts, the RFAs will be at an artificially weak position based on the Owners' lockout and potentially have to wait an additional year before they become UFAs depending on how the new CBA specifies contract length. I don't think the Rockets would get Gasol either way, but I wonder if the Players Union has thought about this issue.
Good question. My gut feeling is that such players will continue to be restricted free agents and that the union will not choose to fight on this issue too much. There are far more important issues at stake, and the owners will stand much firmer on this issue (consistent with their cries for competitive balance) than the players will.
The only guy would be Gasol but doubt it . If not just go through the shortened season if any at all with what we already have. Find a way to possibly trade Scola to a contender, maybe even Martin if they decide to give Lee a new contract at the end of the season, and find a way to pick up another 1st rd draft pick for next year. Go all in for Andre Drummond and/or Perry Jones with our 1st round picks :grin:. Except Lowry sure everyone will be untouchable as usual until we get a star.
You are probably right...just an odd thought I had. A season long lockout may be the best thing to happen to the Rockets. The contracts for Thabeet, T Williams, Flynn, and Hill would be up and not need to use the amnesty cut. Basically can keep Scola, Martin, Lowry, Budinger, Lee, and Patterson. They will have the money to keep Dragic or bring Llull. Morey will have cap space. Only good players under mostly reasonable contracts. Morris, Motiejunas, Parsons, most likely whoever they select with own 2012 pick, and most likely whoever they select with Knicks pick 2012 to fill in some gaps relatively cheaply.
Folks, as long as we have Lowry on our roster, there is no way we "tank" this season. Lowry will try to squeeze as many W's out of his team as possible. He's just built that way.
screw signing free agents and just focus on trades. Kaman should be on the market if the Clippers do not use their Amnesty to just release him. However I doubt that will happen, given the trade buzz he most likely created over the summer Euro tournament. Robin Lopez would be another likely option along with Anderson V. in Cleveland. Those two, while not great shotblockers, would be able to help dramatically on the defensive end.
Yep. Lee may cost them some money, as his contract ends in 2012. I have a feeling that Morey lets Dragic walk unless he can sign him on the cheap. Could definitely see Llull take his place, or Morey could scour the free agent market to find the best player willing to sign for the minimum. But, yes, the Rockets are set up nicely for 2012, barring free agent signings and/or trades before then.
C. Lee is worth a nice size/length contract he is a "starter caliber player" and his contract should reflect it, much like Lowry a coulpe of years back. He is a soild two way player and would help any team in the NBA. If we want to keep him (which I do) than we have to pay him. Kevin Martin stock is as high it will EVER get, IMO. Let's not wait around like we did with A. Brooks...
Players don't lose games. Management does. If Lowry is the type of player who can overcome management tanking ways, then the Rockets wouldn't needed to tank in the first place.
People should really get that tank idea out of their heads now. This current team is built for the playoffs if not better.
It's possible to overcome tanking just by winning several games (see: Jeff Van Gundy re: Brandon Roy), but it still won't take us to the championship.
Regarding Marc Gasol, if he signs an offer sheet for "Zach Randolph" money and Memphis matches, they would have 3 near max dollar guys on thier books, committing about 50 million to 4 guys for 2011/2012. Thats managable this year, but looking toward 2013 and 2014, they will have 60- 65 million dollars committed to just 4 guys. For an owner who squabbled over Vasquez's contract for a few thousand dollars, I have a hard time believing he would pay the luxary tax for multiple years.
If they pay Gasol max money, they would have tied 3 players with max money (Gay, Randolph, and Gasol). If that's the case, would you try to get Gay by offering Martin and Williams?
