This is false. If Rudy would play consistent defense, then you'd have an argument for him being better than Martin. But personally, I'd take Kevin Martin over Rudy Gay, even if the money were equal, . . . at least for next season. Plus, with the new CBA likely to push salaries down for good-but-not-great players, I think Rudy's contract may become abhorrent.
It sounds like there may be some free agent centers available after the amnesty kicks in. Brendan Haywood, Okur, and Andris Biedrins are all likely to get cut. I know we kicked the tires on a trade for Biedrins last year, but didn't pull the trigger. He is still relatively young, McHale could maybe still mold him into a serviceable big man. Haywood would give us some size and shot blocking but not much more. Okur at vet minimum wouldn't be the worst thing ever. Anyone interested in bringing Rashard Lewis back home?
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Thabeet's extension We would not use the amnesty clause on Thabeet because that means we would still be paying him after he is released. The rockets would simply not use the team option on his contract. We really dont have any bad contracts at this time, so i dont see where the rockets would use the amnesty option.
Agreed, with the possible exception of if using the amnesty on Thabeet would open up enough cap room to take in more salary on a trade for a superstar or to sign a guy like Nene . . . AND HE IS READY TO SIGN THE CONTRACT. That move won't be made preemptively. Only if everything else lined up perfectly first. Assuming that the amnesty can be used at any time during the new CBA but only on existing contracts as of June 30, 2011 (as has been widely reported), and further assuming that teams cannot trade for and then amnesty cut a player (STILL no definitive word on this), then the most likely alternatives are either (a) the Rockets NEVER use the amnesty (most likely) or (b) the Rockets maybe use it on Scola in about 2 years (some chance). Can't see any other sensible alternatives under the above assumptions.
The summer of 2012 begins in 7.5 months... I can wait. I'll be pissed if the Rockets exercise any short-term thinking in a shortened 2011 free agency.
You may be right... though I'm not convinced the rich, vocal players will speak for the entire union. Personally I think they'll take the paychecks, but we'll soon find out. I may just need to get my mind right, but this is a lame duck season -- the season before the season. It will be interesting to watch and important in a lot of ways, but all of those ways are in how it will help them for the next season. Half of these guys, if not more, will not be on the team in 2012-13. The way I see it, everything about the Rockets right now should be about 2012.
Just my two cents... Morey obviously likes him -- he would fill a need where the Rockets are weakest (size at center), but he already turned down $50 million over 4 years. The new CBA, if/when it comes down, could change things, but I don't think he takes less to come to Houston. So if you get him, it's going to cost big bucks and you've hurt yourself for 2012. And the team is better, but doesn't strike me as a contender. I don't think I'm in love with that move. Sign-and-trade for talent/Houston contracts that go beyond 2012 may make more sense to me, but not sure that would or could happen.
Nene would seem more like a bandage solution. Doesn't really solve our major problem, which in my opinion is the lack of a superstar.
Do you guys think Utah will trade Al Jefferson? They already have Favors and drafted Kanter this year so you would think they want to give the young guys more minutes at the 4 & 5 spots to develope them. AJ's knee seemed to be holding up after the surgery and his scoring and rebounding are better then Nene. He is also younger then Nene. If we can trade for him, then we can bring Hayes back and put him at the PF spot to focus on defense which is AJ's weakness.
Clutch, I agree with you 100%. I think for most NBA players the decision is coming down to whether or not they are willing to give up their paychecks of millions of dollars for this year to fight with the owners. I think a good portion of NBA players are living paycheck to paycheck because of their lavish spending. They need their money now and they can't afford to fight for something that may or may not effect them. Not to mention most of them are not financially savvy enough to understanding the long term effect of the new agreement. They just want to play ball and want their cash now so they can buy a new car or house.
