Have to agree with NIKEstrad here. Even though Grant posted career-best rebound #s last year (10 rpg), he will be entering his tenth season, and you have to take the caveat that he was the only possible rebounder in Miami last year. Also, his blocked shots have fallen to 0.6 bpg despite big minutes. Finally, have to remind people that he's had injury trouble. Only two 82-game seasons under his belt so far.
Salary limitations aside, I would love to see Grant on the same team as Yao. The guy has hussle. Grant's Shove-A-Yao tactic worked pretty well and other teams followed quickly to try and throw Yao off his game. He'll be a good sparring partner during practice with the Mingster.
Miami might consider such a deal if they give up on the free agent hunt this year, and want to give it another spin next summer. Since the marque free agents have gone elsewhere, this might be a possibility. Of course, Riley would not be too happy about a salary dump (a la Denver last year). As for Jones, he has "negative" trade value. That is, you get something good in return for taking his contract. In other words, Miami would need to give prospective suitors a pick for taking the contract (such as Jones to Minnesota for Brandon), instead of receiving one.
My thinking is Grant would be fine as long as Cato (or MoT) is involved and we don't give up a key long term piece. Cato's (as is Mos) contract is at least half the amount per year as Grant, and is longer--that softens the blow of Grants contract. Also, Grant is no spring chicken, but he isn't in his mid 30s either (Brown, Davis brothers, Campell, etc) let alone old as dirt (Malone, Coleman, Willis). Actually Grant is the same age (31) as Kurt Thomas (a fav around here--yes I know his contract is much better--but that is why Grant might be available to us). Plus Grant will be I think at most 34 when he finishes his contract, and he can play back-up C. If we could give up 1 of our high contracts (Cato more likely b/c the Heat more need a C, but MoT would be fine if they wanted him) plus a little more (Boki or an our descretion 1st rounder + Mooch filler) I think Grant would be a great short term move that wouldn't be too bad medium/long term as well. Now no involving EG for Grant unless serious additional LT comp (Heat give us a #1 or two) is involved plus they take any two contracts of our choice that fits (Cato, Mooch).
Well, the way CD and Les are dancing away from the luxury tax (thanks for handing out those contracts to Mooch, Mo, and Cato, guys), I don't see Rice going anywhere. Only if Miami strikes out in the market this year, which I doubt.
I've been tinkering around RealGM, and here's what seems to work. I'd like to add that the salaries dont' HAVE to match, but the reason I want them to match is because it would give Miami the incentive to make this trade, and they'd still have their capspace. Basically, they still have the same amount of cap space (one MAX player) after this trade. Kelvin Cato Mo Taylor Cuttino Mobley Moochie Norris for Brian Grant Eddie Jones Here's how I see it: Miami don't get worse from this deal, and may actually improve if MoT returns to his old form. Right now, Miami have only 5 players under contract, 2 of which weren't in their rotation last year. Dwayne Wade and Jerome beasley have yet to sign. Basically, Miami have a lot of roster spots to fill, but they want a MAX player. This trade fills their team with talent. Moochie is the ONLY player they haven't expressed interest in previously. All the other guys are starters on their team. If they sign Odom with their money, they're looking at home court advantage, and a MUCH MUCH younger team. Long-term, they save money. Short term, no difference. Their lineup: Cato/Vet minimum signing MoTaylor/Beasley/Odom Odom/Butler Butler/Mobley Wayde/Moochie/Mobley Assuming they don't sign Odom to a MAX contract, they STILL have capspace with this line up. Meaning they can, for example, take Aaron Williams straight up from the Nets. Improved team, with talent and potential, and a winner. Miami don't lose out here. As for us, I just found out that Grant and Jones' contracts both expire when Yao's contract kicks in. Here's a positive though: We aren't giving up Rice, meaning he'll be 10M cap relief next season, keeping usout of luxury tax, and perhaps allowing us to extend Griffin. Sign T-Mo to a 100-day/rest of season contract, and here's what you've got: Yao/Grant Grant/Griffin/T-Mo Rice/Boki/T-Mo/Griffin (let JVG decide who's workin out here) Jones Francis Maybe we'd be betteroff signing a backup G? Who knows. All I know is the West has loaded up the ante, and it's our turn. This trade locks us into the playoffs, and depending on how improved Steveand Yao are, we can go as high as 5th with this team.
