If the trade for Tracy McGrady goes through then we are going to loose our starting power forward and back up center from last year. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Kelvin Cato he was a more than adequate back up to Yao Ming last year and provided some much needed toughness in the middle, especially during those times when Yao Ming’s stamina was not good. Getting Juwan Howard will help as a power forward but certainly not a good back up to Yao Ming…especially when we play Shaq. Luckily for us there are quite a few big men available, both power forwards and centers. So who is the best fit? The Unrestricted Free Agents: Jason Collier 7‘ 260lbs - we have all seen him and some of us thought he was serviceable but most did not. Personally I thought he was more than adequate as a back up to Yao plus he could play power forward if needed. He had his best season last year averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. Mark Blount 7’ 250lbs - Here is one of my favorites on the list. He is unrestricted and had his best year last year collecting 7.2 rebounds a game and 10.3 points a game in 29 minutes. More athletic than Collier plus he can also block shots. Rasheed Wallace 6’11” 230lbs - I think Rasheed would be the perfect match to Yao Ming. He has a very good outside game to make sure Yao Ming is not doubled and could slide over to Center when Yao is out of the game. Of course Rasheed will be getting a very big pay check and probably does not want to leave Detroit anyway. He gives the Pistons the perfect scenario, once he starts entering the twilight of his career Darko should just be figuring out how to play. Any thoughts of Rasheed are probably just wishful thinking. Brian Skinner 6’9” 265lbs - Another free agent coming off of his best year. He averaged 7.3 rebounds, 1 block and 10.5 points a game in just 28 minutes a game. He can play PF or C. Vin Baker 6’11” 250lbs - A head case. He has had very good years and very bad years. Could play Forward or Center. Considering his last several years I would think he would come very cheap. Steven Hunter 7’ 240lbs - One of the most intriguing big men out there IMO. He only played about 13 minutes a game for the Magic last year but during that time he was fairly productive averaging 3 points and 3 rebounds plus the guy can flat out block shots averaging 1.24 last year in just 13 minutes a game. He is a guy that I would not mind bringing in even if that did make half of our team ex Orlando Magic players. Plus the guy is only 22. Antonio McDyess 6’9” 245lbs - Injuries ruined what was once an almost hall of fame career. He played 66 games last year and looked like he was finally starting to look like he might stay healthy. Problem is no one really knows what he has left. He say’s he wants to come to Houston and if he is just 80% of what he was prior to his injury then he would probably be worth it at the right price. Players on the Block Tyson Chandler 7’1” 235lbs - This is the guy that I want the most. He is just a kid at 21years old. He has shown the ability to block shots, rebound and score. Until he got hurt last year he was starting to look like he was going to turn a corner. On offense he hits over 50 percent of his shots for his career. He is super athletic and is a high energy guy. This guy can be had right now but once he hits his stride and starts producing the way Jermain O’Neal did he will be untouchable. I think the guy has much more upside than Jermain. BTW, his career stats for 3 years are 7.4 points per game, 1.3 blocks per game, 6.2 rebounds per game and .502 field goal percentage in just 22 minutes of play. He was only 19, 20 and 21 during those seasons. He is only going to get better with the right coach and right players. Al Harrington 6’9” 250lbs - The Pacers have indicated a willingness to let him go and he said he wants to if they are not going to start him. I have no idea what it might take to get him but he looks solid averaging 6.5 rebounds and 13.3 points last year in 30 minutes of action. He is only 24 years old and is still getting better. The guy I want the most out of all of these guys is Tyson Chandler. At 7’1” tall and teamed with Yao Ming in the post they would give opposing players fits trying to score in the post. Both can block shots. Plus he is only 21 and is still maturing. I’m sure I left someone out so if I did let me know.
My money is on McDyess. Blount is a C, who is going to get a starting job and lots of $ some place else. Most of those guys cant really hit an outside jumper though.
I could see Skinner. He has a good relationship with CD because he went to Baylor. CD has helped quite a few Baylor guys get jobs including Skinner and David Wesley.
good list and comments. i still say trade stevie for a pf (brand, martin) and sign a free agent point guard. PG Barry/Fisher SG Cat/JJ SF JJ/Boki PF Brand/Padgett C Yao/Cato
I'm really, really worried about Ty Chandler's back. But if he can come in and play 70-75 games, it would be a great trade. He has an excellent work ethic. But what do we have that Chicago's interested in? What do you think of maybe dealing with the Mavs for Princess Laettner? He can still board a little and hit the midrange shot.
i could see either skinner or mcdyess. of course, this all depends on how much we spend on a point guard. and that all depends on weather or not we can finaly close out this trade. its nice to be prepared, but lets take this one step at a time
Rasheed Wallace would put us over the top IMO, teams would find it close to impossible to score 80 points on us. That would be great, but won't happen...
Nice list. If all we need is a backup C, then go for Steven Hunter. He will be cheap and that is all we have the money for.
Lets say we had a Chance at getting Tyson Chandler. What will te Rockets have to offer. Obvisouly the TE +.........?
As much as I like what he could bring defensively, Chandler would be a disaster waiting to happen under JVG.
I don't really know but I would be glad to have him on the team. I still think Tyson would be better just based on the numbers and the age. Tyson is about 3 years younger and puts up better numbers IMO although they are close.
I agree with Smoothie that McDyess and Skinner are probably the most likely. I'm also not particularly opposed to Dharock's idea of dealing for Laetner. He would definitely be servicable as a back up center/power forward and his contract expires after this season. I'd love to deal Mo Taylor for him assuming we recieve Juwan Howard in the McGrady deal. I'd also be all for trading Mo for Danny Fortson in that scenario. Danny Fortson makes a little bit less money and his contract is for three more seasons just like Mo. I think that would be a lot more likely should Dallas acquire Shaq though. As to Tyson Chandler, I'd love to see what that guy could develop into on a team in which the pressure isn't on him to be the star immediately. I think Chandler would find things a lot easier on a team with Yao and McGrady but the problem I see with that is I don't really consider Chandler a tough player. I love Yao but so far he isn't exactly tough. I'd think we need a tough power forward that can hit the 15 foot jumper to compliment Yao. (nevermind I've given up on figuring out who a realistic possibility that fits that description could be)
Chandler would be ideal next to Yao, but I don't think the Rockets have anything of value left that could pry him away from the Bulls. Chicago has some bad contracts (A.Davis, E.Robinson, Jerome Williams, Pippen) that they'd love to trade for the trade exception, but I'm pretty sure that's not enough.
This has got to be wrong! There's no way Jason Collier averaged double figures last year. Could somebody please confirm this?
I'd give them Boki + TE for Chandler + Jerome Williams quick like. Jerome Williams would be a great back up behind Yao and Chandler. Is that possible or to use the TE does it have to be one player for one player? However, were that to go down we'd have to get rid of Mo Taylor or Juwan Howard. If not both. I wonder if Indiana would take Taylor or Howard for Harrington? Wishful thinking, I know.... Hell, I'd agree to turn around and send one of those guys to Chicago for Eddie Robinson even just to settle the logjam and give us a back up small forward with some height.
