Last time I talked to him (and everyone else from the NBA) - he's going to be in Beijing in the next week. This isn't a Chinese Basketball Association project though - it's something intiated by the UN and the NBA. So technically it is still "off" from the CBA - it's just that he'll be in China.
Already talked to 40 FAs? Awesome! No question that anyone we get at #24 has to be a solid rotational player for us. I know we want to get younger and build around our core, but I dont see us taking a project at #24 either.
I don't have a problem with a solid rotational player, but I don't mind a project either. Three years from now Deke and Howard will be gone and we will need somebody for both positions of back up center and starting PF. I wouldn't mind drafting one of those high school kids now and grooming them for that time. Problem is that when you start talking 2-3 years out, with our age, we pretty much will need ever position except for Yao's and Tmac's. We could liteally draft for any position on Tuesday.
I don't think it's tampering to talk to a player that's unsigned, but I'd bet it could depend on the nature of the conversation and when it took place. But I trust CD. Still, 40 is an impressive number. Have we even discussed 40 FA's here? It doesn't seem like it.
i assume that when he said he talked to 40 FA's, some were interested in comming here but CD was not interested in them. still they talked. others, CD might have been interested in but the player wanted more money. If CD has 10 options out of those 40 that would be impressive.
I guess its cool to have informal talks (like the Brown/Cavs talks ) and I guess as long as money/contracts are not discussed its cool?
They actually did a secret contract with Joe Smith, saying that if he hit these statistical goals, that the owner would re-sign him to a huge deal when his Bird Rights kicked in. Thereby circumventing the CBA. I don't know about the rules regarding talking to free agents, but this is a totally different situation than Minny/Joe Smith.
i tihnk you are allowed to talk to them. you can't begin talking about contracts though. CD would not say this on the radio if it weren't allowed. it could be a convo like: player: id like to play for the rockets CD: sorry we are looking for a different kind of player. that happens 20 times. then: CD: i would like to see you play for us next year. player: ok ill have my agent call you july 1st. you can talk, you just can't deal.
