Steve gets the MAX this offseason. Griffin develops into a star and wants the MAX in '05. In that year Cat has an option and can become a FA. ****** Taylor, Cato and Moochie will still be on the books. And the following year Ming will be a FA, and ****** Taylor and Moochie will still be on the books. I don't see how Les can keep this nucleus of players together past the 2004/2005 season. Other people that will need to be taken care of: Kenny Thomas, and Terrence Morris, who are both free agents after next year. Here's one not so bad solution. 1. don't trade the #15 for a vet. Odom will be free agent after next year and will demand a huge contract himself. 2. See how much higher in the draft KT will move our #15. #12? Don't the Clippers need a back-up for Brand? #13? KT will be a great fit for Milwakee. 3. Draft a player with that pick and keep him. If all works out, the person we take and Ming will be on rookie contracts untill 05/06 and their next contracts will overlap only for one year with Moochie and ******. 4. If Mobley wants more money in 05 let him go. Alternatevily, KT stays for another year nad then he's gone. In that case we hope that the #15 can bring a solid role player.
I"m not sure if this is a concern. but I'd think the rockets would look very bad to potential free agents if they traded mo taylor before he even plays a game after committing to him long term.... plus i'd think his trade value would be low now coming off an injury..
Lets face it, Right now, KT, Collier, and Rice are not in the Rox long term ( 4+ yrs. ) plans right now. KT will be delt this summer, by the trading deadline, or walk next year. Rice is 2 and gone. Collier is going to garner little intrest when his contract is up. So here is the following of what I think each player will be making 5 yrs. from now. Francis 13 mil. Mobley 5 mil. Moochie 4 mil. T Mo 1 mil. #15 2 mil. Torres 1mil. Brown 1 mil. Griffen 6 mil Mo T 5 mil. Ming 10 mil. Cato 4 mil. Random backup big man - mid level exception. Thats 52 mil total. Half of those role players will be gone for Rookies, cheaper, and younger role players. Well be alright. The cap should go up by then anyway. Our core of Francis, Mobley, Ming, and Griffen will be making about 35 mil. and the rest will go to everyone else.
Why couldn't the Rockets keep them, all of those guys would have some form of Bird Rights when their contracts are up. <b>I"m not sure if this is a concern. but I'd think the rockets would look very bad to potential free agents if they traded mo taylor before he even plays a game after committing to him long term.... plus i'd think his trade value would be low now coming off an injury..</b> I disagree with this. It would be bad to potential free agents if the Rockets signed him for one year, he got injured, and they dumped him to the side. And if would be bad for potentialy FAs if they signed him to a lesser contract and then traded him to a lesser team, even though it didn't really hurt them when they did that to Kevin Willis. But the Rockets signed Mo to a monster contract so financially he's taken care of.
