New Feigen article from this AM. Figured this deserved a new thread. http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...-for-one-rockets-going-after-howard-and-paul/ Also interesting is that they're trying to delay a Robinson trade until July, while most teams want to do a deal by the draft.
The Paul bit is interesting. Obviously the rockets can't saying anything about either player and Harden won't say anything because it may alienate Lin.
This is the reason why I keep mentioning negotiating trades now and executing them later. Teams want to know now if they have a deal for TRob so they can take it into account in their other offseason moves. But Feigen is saying that Morey wants to wait to execute the trade for cap space until he knows for certain that it is absolutely necessary, that Dwight is coming here and he needs the cap space. The way you do this and meet both parties' desires is you get the trade locked in, both sides commit to whatever the move is for TRob, and it happens at a predetermined time in the future. Or it even happens in stages. Stages such as us taking on non-guaranteed contracts now that we can later cut or trade.
So many interesting things in there. 1.) Howard's appreciation for Bickerstaff. We already knew he liked McHale, but the fact that he also likes a Rockets assistant is promising, considering LA doesn't have either of the two he liked there (Person and Clifford). 2.) Howard trying to time his next deal. With a new CBA and new TV contracts, it makes perfect sense to go for three or four years. Many of us had already guessed this, but good to hear Dwight knows it. 3.) Timing of a Robinson trade. Makes sense that most teams would be more open to it before the draft and before they have a new "big man of the future". Also makes sense that Rockets want to wait until July to make sure its necessary. Could Harden try to get a wink-wink deal with Dwight in the last week of June to make Morey more comfortable in a TRob deal? Nothing binding, but... 4.) Harden has even closer relationship with Paul than he does with Dwight.
Most interesting piece to me in the article was on TRob (not quite MSpears take): Trading Thomas Robinson, a 6-10 forward, is considered the most likely means to get enough cap room, but according to a person with knowledge of their plans, “there are about 20 other ways.” Potential value But moving Robinson, 22, remains the most likely means to create roster room, a consideration when general manager Daryl Morey made the trade-deadline move believing Robinson would be easier to deal than Patrick Patterson. The Rockets prefer to have to trade one young prospect rather than two. Robinson is set to occupy twice as much salary-cap room as any two of last season’s other rookies. He also is expected to bring more in a trade. But the Rockets hope to wait to see if they need the cap room before making that kind of move because if they cannot land a major free agent they would want to keep Robinson for his potential. There are 16 teams with the cap room, trade exception or sufficient non-guaranteed contracts to trade for Robinson or equivalent contracts without sending the Rockets back any cap-occupying contracts. But several teams have indicated they are likely to be more open to a deal prior to the June 27 draft, especially if involving Robinson; the Rockets would prefer to make a move if necessary during free agency in July.
Of course we are! If nothing else, need to show Dwight we're committed to winning. Spoiler Paul would be a great backup. /LOF
Thanks for posting! Confirms what we all know already (as far as gunning for the top 2 FAs). So much for Josh Smith being plan B.
The real interpretation is Paul is a backup plan to Howard but more than that Paul is the impetus for Howard to move sooner and commit. He knows we are going after Paul so if he doesn't commit in a timely manner he could lose the opportunity to play for us.
So is it guaranteed that we will not pick up Delfino and Brooks, and select two of the remainder to waive? Delfino would be a great spark off the bench for any team, Brooks would be lucky to make the same money
Would anybody be concerned with how a Harden/Paul backcourt would mesh, with them both being quite ball dominant? I know they played together on the National team, just not sure how much they played together on the court. Obviously this is something Morey would look into and analyze, I'm just curious. Nice article, thanks for posting Cat.
