That's the kind of baskball that's fun to watch. You get to see the game develop, see the thing work. Not like our bunch, where you get to see the thing NOT develop, then implode.
Sane, I don't think Sonics go for that. I doubt they see Cato as that much of an upgrade for them. Booth is actually playing pretty decently this year. He's #6 in blocks per 48 min., and playing 20 mpg, and his contract is smaller than Cato's (although one year longer). Evans is a fan favorite and a good hustle-player. He's not a throw-in for them. The Sonics would probably do Booth and a first-rounder for Cato, but past that, I think they pass.
I made this suggestion in another thread, but kind of goes along with pasox2's idea. Trade Francis and Cato or Mo for Allen, Barry and Ridnour. You'll have the starting backcourt of Barry and Allen with Ridnour developing as the backup and Mobley as the 6th man. We would still have a need for a PF though.
I'd kill to have Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis on this team. Those guys would be superb around Yao. I'd be prepared to swap Steve for Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels right now.
pasox2, yeah, I'd love to get Allen. Sonics would probably want an All-Star big man in return, but that could be accomplished in a three-way if you're really willing to give up Francis (I'm not, yet.) Al Harrington has been great for the Pacers this year. I don't think Cato is enough of an upgrade for them to do the trade. Jeff Foster does a pretty good job holding down the center position for them and he's cheap. Sonics fans (not sure about management) are disgruntled with Rashard like we are with Steve. He could be available for the right price, especially if they think Allen's good enough as a go-to player.
i've wanted brent barry on this team for awhile. in fact, i think my only trade proposal was about getting barry and ridnour. do this CD, do this NOW!
Every day I look at nba.com hoping for an early XMas present "Francis for Allen/Barry". The would have SF to along with Murray and Rashard so it's a great deal for them and we get a backcourt of Allen/Barry and Mobes off the bench.
This Trade Works: Houston trades: SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.8 apg in 13.3 minutes) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 39.9 minutes) Houston receives: PG Luke Ridnour (6.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.4 apg in 17.5 minutes) SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) Change in team outlook: -2.3 ppg, -1.1 rpg, and +3.3 apg. Seattle trades: PG Luke Ridnour (6.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.4 apg in 17.5 minutes) SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) Seattle receives: SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.8 apg in 18 games) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 24 games) Change in team outlook: +2.3 ppg, +1.1 rpg, and -3.3 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
The Sonics are happy with their backcourt. They've just got one guy too many for the longterm and so Barry may (not for certain, but quite possibly) be the odd man out. Allen or Ridnour are not on the table unless they get a player they covet in return. Cuttino's a good player, but I doubt he's someone they want to shake up their backcourt over. If you're thinking of trade proposals for the Sonics, start with players that they want, not players that we're willing to give up. Sonics want a big man.
Or this! Houston trades: PG Moochie Norris (2.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.9 apg in 14.0 minutes) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 39.9 minutes) Houston receives: PG Ronald Murray (18.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.2 apg in 31.6 minutes) PG Luke Ridnour (6.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.4 apg in 17.5 minutes) SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) Change in team outlook: +17.6 ppg, +2.4 rpg, and +5.4 apg. Seattle trades: PG Ronald Murray (18.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.2 apg in 31.6 minutes) PG Luke Ridnour (6.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.4 apg in 17.5 minutes) SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) Seattle receives: PG Moochie Norris (2.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.9 apg in 24 games) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 24 games) Change in team outlook: -17.6 ppg, -2.4 rpg, and -5.4 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
My guess is that in an ideal situation, the Sonics would like to get a legit PF that can score and defend (ie Kurt Thomas). However, I dont think Brent Barry is enough trade bait to land a player of Kurt Thomas's caliber. Kelvin Cato would help their defense a lot (considering they are near the bottom of the league in FG% against) so this does make some sense. This would necessitate another move (ie trading Mobley) to get something done. Also, if the Rockets want to keep Cato, Cuttino could be dealt in a 3 way deal to net Seattle the frontcourt player they need. My preference is trading Steve Francis to get Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis, but I just dont see the Rockets willing to part with Steve.
MManal, I agree that a three-way with Cat for Barry makes the most sense. It would be nice if we can get someone like Barry or Kurt Thomas with the MLE in the offseason.
How about a Three Team Deal! : Houston trades: SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 39.9 minutes) C Kelvin Cato (5.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 0.8 apg in 28.2 minutes) Houston receives: PG Charlie Ward (9.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.1 apg in 25.0 minutes) C Kurt Thomas (11.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.1 apg in 34.1 minutes) SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) Change in team outlook: +9.8 ppg, +3.2 rpg, and +8.1 apg. New York trades: PG Charlie Ward (9.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.1 apg in 25.0 minutes) C Kurt Thomas (11.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.1 apg in 34.1 minutes) PF Othella Harrington (4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.2 apg in 12.3 minutes) New York receives: SG Cuttino Mobley (16.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 24 games) C Jerome James (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.4 apg in 18 games) Change in team outlook: -3.5 ppg, -7.6 rpg, and -4.0 apg. Seattle trades: SG Brent Barry (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.7 apg in 32.4 minutes) C Jerome James (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.4 apg in 13.6 minutes) Seattle receives: C Kelvin Cato (5.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 0.8 apg in 24 games) PF Othella Harrington (4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.2 apg in 17 games) Change in team outlook: -6.3 ppg, +4.4 rpg, and -4.1 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED That is a WINNER!
If we are going to get anybody from New York, forget Kurt Thomas. The Rockets want M. Lampe instead. That's the ticket, and I'm not fooling. Mark me down.
Jim Jackson for Patterson would be perfect. Patterson (RocketsKiller) and Jackson make the same money. Portland wants good community people and Jackson is. We need talent, and Ruben is.
