[Chron] Trade with Wolves unlikely (Rockets discussing Mike James deal)

Mike James is not Mike Jordan, are Rockets confused between Mike James and Mike Jordan?

 

The fact that the Wolves are insisting on dumping Eddie Griffin's salary is an absolute killer, and I'm somewhere between 99.999% and 99.999999% sure that the Rockets won't do the deal as long as that demand is still there.

 

I share the concerns, but would bring him in. In a 7 game series, Alston is going to go Stevie Franchise on us a couple of times. Luther's shooting is wonderful, his passing, ball handling and decision making runs from bizarre to WTF. Luther at PG is capable of starting a 12-0 run by a quality opponent at any time. If we're going to compete with Dallas and PHx, we need depth and talent. Bring him in and our rotation looks like Alston/Tmac/Battier/Jho/Yao
with James, Head, Bonzi and Hayes/Mutumbo off the bench, depending on matchups. Frankly, I'd really consider dropping Hayes from the rotation and using Bonzi, Battier, Tmac for spot duty at the PF spot, depending on matchups.

(not to derail the primary thought here, but for all his warts, Bonzi is a hell of an intuitive player. My only knock on jvg this year is that Bonzi hasn't been made a more integral part of the team. The guy has talent and instincts that only trails tmac and yao on this team. Some of the bonzi problems are bonzi caused, but damn, he could play a bigger role here.)

Get it done CD.

 

mike james is luther head with handles. seeing as how luther's handles and pisspoor passes are the only thing anyone can complain about these days, he would be a pretty good fit. his attitude sucks though.

 

check the front page of si.com. it says we're close to landing james for sura, 1sr rounder, and someone else, possibly novak

 

Agreed. If they want him for Sura and Lucas, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Only players on our team who are worth trading for James are VSpan, Sura, and Lucas.

I have no problem with James being brought in as a source of instant offense opposed to as someone who can run a team and make us better at the PG position. No, he'd make us better as a scorer, yes. Nothing more, really.

So, as long as James understands his role: no more than 20 mpg (mostly at 2-guard), if the ball is in your hands longer than 3 seconds, you're cut; you're here basically because if Rafer breaks a finger, we're doomed; while the Rockets management may have a perverted obsession with you, remember that no player has said "Man, I wish we had mike James here."; and at various points, nearly all the teams in the league have not wanted you, so here's your last chance.

 

if this is true, I wouldn't be opposed to it, but I would prefer not giving up on Novak....defense can be taught, natural shooting ability can't. I guess I've always just envisioned Novak eventually taking over the spot Matt Bullard had on the championship teams. I would rather us trade JLIII, if that would work contractually...although I guess Minnesota would have no need for Lucas with Foye and Jaric already on their roster.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/02/22/deadline.buzz/index.html

I think I'm going to be sick if this goes through.

This draft is regarded by some experts as the deepest one in years, even more than 2003.

 

on NBA TV Dan Isola reported "definitely something in the works between the rockets and wolves regarding Mike James."

just said it about 5 minutes ago.

also mentioned: bonzi for sweetney? bonzi for davis/murry?

last note: the hawks just got anthony johnson for a second round pick. they now have 4 PG's on the team. Isola thinks that one of them could be on the move today.

 

NBA TV just ran a trade dealine mini-special.

Frank Isola sp? stated that something is definitley in the works between Houston and Minnesota (Mike James mentioned). Also said that Rockets have gotten a lot of interest concerning Bonzi Wells (to Bulls for Mike Sweetney) to Pistons for Dale Davis and Flip Murray).

Nothing really new, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Personally I would be interested to see what James could do off the bench. When T-Mac goes out we are bad on offense. Bonzi hasn't shown the ability to carry the scoring load with Mac out of the game. James could add some O to the bench and possibly handle and distribute better than Head when Rafer is out. All that said, I like the rotation now and don't think it needs any overhauls. When Yao comes back we will be dangerous regardless if we make a move or not.

 

if it was a second round pick, i'd do it.

i don't know if i could part with a first rounder....

 

Ugh. I don't care about Novak, but a 1st rounder?

We all know this team isn't interested in luxury tax land, so it's going to get really hard to add pieces any other way than via the draft. Giving up first rounders is r****ded.

 

Trade Eddie Griffin for Reefer.

 

I'd rather take on Griffin than give up the first rounder and Novak.

 

Maybe its a second rounder. I'd rather give them JL3 but they have a million guards so the Novak thing sounds about right.

 

I always want him at right price, but a trade talk with Juwan or Rafer for him is just not a brain idea. Without Juwan after Yao was out of the floor, Rox will not be in the 5th place.

 

OMG!

I spit up my Diet Coke! Cracking up!

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/02/22/deadline.buzz/index.html

Deadline buzz
Stars stay put so far; Mike James, Dixon likely to move
Posted: Thursday February 22, 2007 12:36PM; Updated: Thursday February 22, 2007 1:00PM

Juan Dixon may be headed to Toronto in a deal that would also involve Fred Jones.
AP


By Marty Burns, SI.com

While it remains doubtful that a blockbuster deal will occur involving Jason Kidd, Pau Gasol or Vince Carter before the 3 p.m. trade deadline, there is still a possibility. As one GM said, "A lot of GMs want to wait until the last minute to see if they get any better offers. That's usually when deals go down."

Here then is what we've learned so far:

• The Blazers and Raptors are close to a deal that would send Juan Dixon to Toronto for Fred Jones, according to a league source. Dixon (8.9 points in 22.6 minutes) has been stuck behind rookie Brandon Roy and might benefit from playing in the Raptors' faster-paced offense. Jones (7.8 points in 22.7 minute) is an Oregon native and University of Oregon grad who should benefit from a homecoming. If nothing else, the former Slam Dunk champ will join Travis Outlaw in giving the Blazers two players who can really throw it down.

• Gasol appears to be staying put in Memphis, although it could change with one phone call. Bulls GM John Paxson has been playing his cards close to the vest, but is not expected to change his mind about giving up Luol Deng or Ben Gordon in a trade for the Grizzlies' 7-footer. Paxson has been checking on the availability of other power forwards around the league (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Nick Collison), according to sources, which could mean he's seeking a backup plan to help Chicago land a low-post threat. Despite reports to the contrary, the Bulls have no real interest in Zach Randolph, according to sources.

• Mike James appears headed back to Houston, possibly for the soon-to-be-retired Bob Sura and a first-round pick, according to a league source. Another player would have to be included by the Rockets to make it work. Steve Novak is considered a possibility.

James has been unhappy in Minnesota since bolting Toronto last summer to sign a four-year, $24 million contract. The veteran guard recently lost his starting job to rookie Randy Foye, and it was no secret that the T'wolves were shopping him around the league. Minnesota reportedly was asking teams to take Eddie Griffin in any deal for James, but has apparently backed off in recent days.

The T'wolves, however, were much more adamant about receiving a first-round pick in any deal for James, according to another league source with knowledge of Minnesota's dealings. If the T'wolves continue to insist on Griffin going out -- as well as a first-round pick -- this deal to the Rockets could be scuttled. But for now it appears likely that James will get his wish to be a key contributor on a winning team, and back in the Houston area where he and his wife were building a new home.

• If this year's trade deadline does expire without much action, it won't be all that unusual. Five times in the past 20 years there has been only one deal consummated on trade deadline day, most recently in 2000 when Anthony Johnson was dealt from Atlanta to Orlando for a conditional second-round pick. (Johnson, incidentally, is back with the Hawks after they acquired him from Dallas today.)

However, recent years have seen considerable action on deadline day. Last year there were five trades involving 17 players, and the previous year saw 10 deals involving 29 players. That latter season was the biggest in terms of total players in the past 20 years, and included Baron Davis (Hornets to the Warriors) and Antoine Walker (Hawks to Celtics).

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Looks like the James deal could be closer to a done deal. I'm not sure what i think about this, especially the Novak part. I would hope we get a pick out of the deal if it's true.

 

I didn't realize Minny wanted him out so badly that they'd take Sura and filler. They must want him gone fast. But that Wells for Davis and Murray deal is a lot more enticing and is one we could afford to make since Snyder would be given more minutes.