If you wouldn't take the so-called risk of acquiring Haslem ("not that great a player") for Rafer, then suit yourself. The Rockets would obviously do it in a heartbeat and the Heat would be insane to make that trade. You are either underestimating Haslem or very seriously overestimating Rafer. Rafer and salary would be 3rd string on the Rockets at PG. At worst, Haslem would be 2nd string behind our old rookie, Scola, at PF. Haslem's skillset is a great match with Yao. Very good rebounder, tough defender, drills the mid-range jumper, runs the floor well. He's like a smaller version of the Bulls' Horace Grant with less nastiness.
Shareef is a blackhole, There were issues in sacramento when Adelman was coaching the kings and Shareef couldn't get the offense because of his inability or unwillingness to share the basketball or move the basketball. Shareef wouldn't move the basketball when he recieved the ball in the high post, he would hold the basketball and refuse to look backdoor or use the guard in pick and roll. Shareef' had the mentality of a van cover grizzly and atlanta hawk,when he was the only player to ever not make a post season appearance and his job was to get the ball and everbody get out the way. The only time adelman could get shareef into the mix was to start kenny thomas and allow shareef to come off the bench with the second team and make him a scorer.When adelman gave shareef extended minutes the offense was stagnant and the transition defense and rebounding were horrible, Kenny thomas played the crunch minutes while shareef was on the bench. Scola is ideal to what adleman wants to do offensively next to yao ming.Scola will move the baksetball and will set real screens,he fits in to what rick wants to do at this time.
Thats my point. Reef makes nosense whatsoever. We need guys who are active without the ball. we need good passers. Reef is non of those.
With Rafer as the bait? The Sonics are trying to unload one of their PGs as is... And Battier is more valuable than either one of those two.
It does from a money standpoint. Doleac would be a bit to non player for us and we just dump his contract later clearing cap space.
If the Sonics unload one of their point guards for another big, then they will really be screwed. They only have 5 guards as it stands now. If I were them, I'd be looking to unload some forwards and bring on some stud guards. Rockets on the other hand are overloaded at guard.
If we can get a future pick along with it, it's a perfect deal for the Rox. They don't really need to add more players, especially if Chuck is coming back. They could just cut Doleac or leave him on the IR all year.
rocket will still be over the cap no matter what. luxury tax would be the only thing to avoid and thats understandable. But save a couple of mill (which you will recoup during the season) or go into the season with only SG type players trying to play the pg position? depends. if its a second rounder the rockets could easily purchase one like they did this past year. miami wouldnt give a first.
does anyone know where you can find player's slaries and overall team payroll online? It would be nice if it showed the legnth of the player's contract and what they are due each year.
Do you think Haslem would be content in a reserve role? And, if he does end up in such a role and becomes disgruntled, do you think that his 3-year guaranteed contract worth over $21 million would become hard to move ? I think the risks outweight the potential benefits. He is a pretty good rebounder but he is undersized and can not alter/block shots in the paint effectively. He has decent scoring ability, at best. I just feel that there will be other options and that we have filled enough holes so far this summer to be patient and, ultimately, get a better fit while taking on less of a risk.
In all honesty, Haslem has never shown signs of headcaseitis... And he did play on a team where Wade, Shaq, Walker, Williams, Zo, Posey, played larger roles. In our line up Tmac and Yao will dominate the ball the way Shaq/Wade did, and Battier requires less shots then shoot happy Walker. Haslem might have a bit of a smaller role here with Francis and James taking their shots but I don't beleive it will result into deadwieght. Besides, descent big man will, even disgruntled, always be easier to move than a below average guard. That's how things work in the NBA. -V
