June 16, 2003, 8:22PM Is Chris Webber thinking Magic? As Chris Webber moves into his last month of limbo, there appears to be an early favorite to win his hand. According to an NBA source familiar with the coming recruitment, Webber currently favors Orlando. He has been careful not to talk much about the Magic, but he believes the fit is right. Although Orlando is hardly the cosmopolitan, urban setting Webber is thought to favor, it is a trendy NBA choice, and it offers a young go-to running mate in Tracy McGrady and an Eastern Conference ready to be taken. Because a Webber move to Orlando would require a sign-and-trade deal, the source said Sacramento is going to play hardball, demanding Grant Hill. Magic officials have said publicly and promised privately that Hill will not be traded the summer after signing with Orlando. But he could be moved in a three-team trade to a club he would approve of, if a deal would satisfy the Kings' ransom. The Rockets will be in the Webber hunt until a deal is made elsewhere. They are easily the best team with enough cap room to offer Webber the sort of contract he would consider, though still far short of everything Sacramento can offer. But the Rockets' plan is to be careful not to lose Maurice Taylor while talking with Webber.
Old or not, its on the Chronicle tonight: http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/sports/basketball/index.html
The thing is, no one really wanted taylor but the Rockets. If the Rockets had just entertained Webber, resigned Hakeem and used the draft right that season, they could have gotten Webber. Would i trade Webber for Ming? Probably not. If the Rockets had worked it right, they would have Ming ,francis , and cap space this summer to add a impact player.
Not totally true. The Sonics showed a lot of interest as I recall. Also, I didn't think we really had any cap room at all, yet the Chronicle is saying we have enough to make a respectable offer to Webber. Huh? Man, I can't believe Grant Hill's stock is still so high.
They wanted Taylor only so they could get Ewing. The yr we gave Taylor the contract, no one wanted him especially not for 8 mill a season. this is a old article anyway, but what i ont get is this. Before resigning Taylor, the Rockets had Thomas and just drafted Griffin. If you as a organization had a real plan about the future, why draft 2 guys and sign another who play the same position? I hate to keep harping on this , but think about this. In the summer of 2001 after the 45 win weason, the Rockets had 4 fa's. Hakeem (16mill) ,Norris,Anderson, and Taylor. Francis was on his rookie deal like Thomas, Cato was making 6mill a season, walt was at about 5mill along with Cat. The Rockets could have reduced Hakeem salary to 7mill per yr for 2 season and offered Webber 11mill per season for 6 season with increases. With the draft, the Rockets could have filled out the roster with Jefferson,Randolph, and Haywood if they so chose. If Webber had turned down the offer and seeing the limited time Hakeem played the last 2 yrs, the Rockets would have sucked in 02 with the injuries, drafted Ming and this yr even with the extension, had enough money for a max free agent. They didn't have a plan and thats why Les will pay theluxury tax because of players like Cato,Norris,Rice and Taylor all of whom are role players at best. You don't pay 8 mill for role players.
If I'm the Magic, I go with Gooden and use the draft or the mle on a pg or draft someone like Bell late. If Hill comes back, then you have a nice nucleus and the best player in the east in McGrady.
