I think they should be looking for someone to replace Yao vs spell him for 25 mins a night or whatever the minutes will breakdown to. With the offensive players they have already, they should be pursuing a guy who is mobile,rebound,blk shots, and score some in the post, not neccessarily all in the post. They should target a guy like gortat via trade or inquire about marc gasol via trade since he fell out of favor at the end of the season with hollins for some reason. Another option would be to draft one of the bigs this year and let him back up yao. Thats why i also think a guy like jefferson makes alot of sense because of his ability to play center.
I'm pretty sure it isn't, but read this: #14 Larry Coon The following are not included in team salaries: Salaries of players selected in an expansion draft (see question number 96) and waived by the expansion team prior to the start of the season. Salaries of some players with long-term or career-ending injuries or illnesses (see question number 54). The "scale" amount for the team's unsigned first round draft pick(s) when the player signs with a non-NBA team. The scale amount is excluded from the team salary on the date he signs a non-NBA contract or the first day of the regular season, whichever is later. The scale amount goes back onto the team salary on the following July 1 or when his non-NBA contract ends, whichever is earlier. In other words, these cap holds are removed for players playing elsewhere during the regular season only. Salaries from summer contracts. 50% of salary not paid to players who were suspended by the league. For example, if a player is signed for $10 million, but is suspended by the league for exactly half the season, then he loses $5 million. His team's team salary includes the $5 million he actually received, plus 50% of the $5 million he lost due to the suspension ($2.5 million), for a total of $7.5 million. Salary not paid to players due to set-off (see question number 56).
If you add a Chris Bosh type piece and you don't give up Scola (which we are not), then you have your three primary bigs as Yao/Bosh/Scola. There's only 96 minutes available at the 4/5 spots. So, if Yao comes back at 25 mpg, Bosh 30 and Scola 30, that only leaves 10 minutes or so available for a fourth big. Accounting for injuries, you're gonna have some games where your fourth big needs to give you 25 or so occasionally. The ideal fit in that scenario would a player like Brad Miller, who is big, strong, can hit the jumper, will grind in the paint, give you some boards, and is a smart defensive player if not an athletic freak. Add to that either Chuck, and/or Alexander Johnson and you have a decent stash of bigs to continually have a 7 footer or close to a 7 footer on the floor at all times. I am all for Miller if we get another primary big man that will push Miller to fourth on the big depth chart behind Yao/Scola/whoever.
It would be tough to sign one that could produce like that for next year, but through the draft there certainly are players that could end up being that kind of center. Hassan Whiteside and Ekpe Udoh for example. Further down, Gani Lawal, Jarvis Vanardo, and Solomon Alabi. If only we could perform a brain transplant with Chuck Hayes...
A veteran with reputation of being a great locker room guy, with experience in developing young players (like Noah), winning experience, experience on the system, experience with the coach. A team guy who plays hard (even fights) when is required and against anyone, who is a smart basketball player and can compete in a playoff atmosphere and the thoughest games... he's always a valuable piece on a contender and I want him on my team.
jopatmc, if they get bosh,thats it for scola in a rockets uni. If they get jefferson, thats probably it for scola.
I disagree. You need 3 primary bigs and Yao is coming off injury. Look at LA. Pao/Bynum/Odom/Artest/Kobe. Yao/Bosh/Scola. You gotta match that size.
Jefferson is a horrible defender. He is lazy defensively. He blocks 0.8 fewer blocks less than Yao careerwise. He hasn't recovered to his pre-injury performance.
he's a good backup center. A veteran and knows RA's system. I wont' be surprised also if RA tries to get him. The sad thing is we i'm a big fan of Hayes..
Jefferson is a good defender, not great. His footspeed isn't great, but he's much better than scola plus he can score and rebound. not to mention, he would be a good weakside shot blocker. This year coming up will give him the year he needs to get back to form. He can and will play center also which is a boonus.
I like Brad Miller, but at this point in his career he isn't that much of an upgrade over David Andersen, he never was an interior stopper, which is what we need. I would like the Rockets to find some way to get Cole Aldrich, I think he is a guarantee to be a good NBA center, although he has almost no upside. ( a Joel Pryzbilla type). It is likely that this team will have to go long spells, whole games even, where Yao isn't on the floor while he's hopefully working back into form, and somebody has to defend the paint, Miller doesn't do that.
The Rockets are trying to put a team together to win a championship. They are not in the mode to experiment with projects. The Rockets need size and Brad Miller is probabily the best big man available in free agency. If the Rockets are able to sign him, he will start over Chuck if Yao is not ready. That to me is an upgrade over David Anderson. I know alot of people are talking about what type of big they want, but he's not out there. You have to take what's available.
