[Chron] Morey hope to atleast get a starting center by trade deadline

Since I've been posting rumors here in this thread...

Not that this is anything new. I think we all know Shane [and others] could be moved for the "right price"(Academy! Ha). Anyhow..

Trade deadline should push Melodrama to tipping point

[rquoter]...Given the circumstances, and the added value of home playoff dates with a lockout looming, the best course of action might be to keep Anthony and find ways to improve the roster without taking on future money.

Several players on expiring contracts who could help Denver are expected to be available in the coming days. According to league sources, Portland is expected to entertain offers for several of its older players, including Joel Przybilla, who would provide some much-needed depth on Denver's front line. Same for Indiana's Jeff Foster, as Pacers president Larry Bird has publicly stated that he will explore cashing in expiring contracts for assets as opposed to waiting for free agency. The Rockets, one of the few teams willing to take on money, could make Shane Battier available if they can upgrade their talent. Battier would give Denver coach George Karl another dependable and versatile wing defender. [/rquoter]

 

Just get er done Morey!!

 

Why? The Rockets got T-Will an immediate replacement for Lee.

 

All of this unwarranted twill love on the board is quite odd.

 

Here's a thought.

Everyone keeps talking about how the Rockets need a big center who can rebound and be at least somewhat of a rim protector, however giving up one of the Rocket's main assets for that player is not something anyone on this board really wants to do unless that is a young player who the Rockets would be able to keep around long-term.

Now this is not by any means an ideal trade, but if the Rockets are not going to be playing Jeffries or the young guys, and are going to try to make some sort of push, what trying to get Joel Pryzbilla for the rest of the season.

He is only signed through this season, making $7.3 million which would fit under the Ariza TE. Portland is currently over the Lux tax and Camby will be back by the ASB.

Yes it would put the Rockets more into the Luxury. Yes it would be a gamble, as Pryz is himself coming off repeated knee injuries and somewhat limited to 20 minutes. However, the Rockets already have Hayes, Hill, Miller, Scola & Patterson in the rotation. You really don't need Pryz to play more than 20 min. He has not been stellar since starting again, but he definitely has been better defensively than most of the Rockets' big men.

The biggest question here is money, would the Rockets be willing to take that much on since it would essentially cost double with the Lux tax. I would think, Morey would demand at least a 2nd round pick if not a very low 1st round pick in a few years, which would make it more palatable, but by how much?

The other question becomes, would Portland risk making a team that is "in competition" for the last few playoff spots better.

 

Sounds like this could get done. The only question is, would Memphis trade these guys within the division?

Mayo returns tonight, but Griz bench has thrived in his absence

 

Joel Pryzbilla? Jeff Foster?

I mean, honestly. I'd be able to get over the facts that these guys are old, have no upside and basically just flat-out suck if they were actually able to stay out on the court. But no, not for two chronically injured and unimpressive bigs like that. Hell, not even for free.

This is one instance where I would ignore our precarious need for an upgrade up front and stick with what we already have.

 

The thing is, the more i look at Thabeet's numbers, the more i question whether he is, at best, the second coming of Olawakandi. This guy is so far away from being a starter in this league. Its hard to call someone a bust after just two years, especially considering how raw he was coming in, but its hard for me to get excited about this kid.

 

The difference between he and candy man is kandi was playing alot. I believe in development and some players need a little more time than others. I would like for the rockets to get him and get a 1.5 yr look at him. I brought this up earlier or maybe in the other thabeet thread. When he started at the end of the year last year and played consistent minutes, he was 5pts 6rebs and almost 2blks in 21 minutes as a rookie. Now, those arent eye popping numbers, but that would be enough for me to try to get him in houston where he can work with Dawson and company.

Memphis is in a position similar to houston in terms of winning right now. Hollins has his 3 man rotation with randolph,gasol,and arthur right now. They have been playing well and for a team that has not made the playoffs in some time, you cant blame them for not giving him big mins unless there is an injury. Houston is in the same boat, but they should be lookinh ahead. Adelman probably wont play him consistently, but Adelman may not be back next season and the next coach might be more defensive than Adelman. This is the value of having a guy like thabeet. Not to mention, if he displays progress and the rockets miss out on the howard sweepstakes, he would be a fall back option.

 

if he can produce those numbers from the end of his rookie year, then that's something to work with. I'm all for giving him a year and a half look. But we ought not give up much because there's huge risk there. The question is, what's the Grizz's price?

 

9 days 4 hours and 16 minutes left before the trade deadline. Come on, Morey.

 

I dont know the price, but I'm not sure what you consider too much. The rockets have a team full of flatlined,rotation players. Right now, they're loaded at sg and pf. Any deal the rockets do should include miller to get his money off the books and a non starter/depth player.

 

Memphis, for one season, is actually trying their best to make the playoffs this season. They owe a first round pick which starts to lose it's lottery protection after this season. They'd prefer to lose it this season as to lose it going forward. And they've got the opportunity to make a few extra dollars by making the first round. So, I would expect them to continue to go full throttle towards making the playoffs. In that case, any trades that bring them back a contributor for this season's playoff run would probably be considered highly.

 

Now I like that...depending on who that whatever is

 

With the lockout looming those playoff gate dollars mean a whole lot more this year than in most others. I cant see a team like Memphis who already struggles financially giving up those funds. No way no how.
If they make a move it has to be an immediate roster improvement - if that comes in the form of an expiring contract all the better.

 

Does Thabeet qualify as a starting center?

 

my 10 year old called me as soon as he got home to ask me who we traded for.

he asked this very question: does hayes still start?

my guess is hayes is still the starter...we'll see.

 

I don't think it's a reach to say Hayes will still start, Thabeet is even a bigger project than JHill. Can you imagine Thabeet and JHill on the floor together?

 

Ask Morey and Adelman. My answer is absolutely not.

 

Absolutely.








... for the Vipers.