July 7, 2005, 11:11PM Basketball now in Swift's court Rockets know they have put forth their best offer to coveted forward By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle The first date could not have gone much better. But after Stromile Swift's visit with Rockets officials Wednesday and Thursday, they were reminded it is a long way from first date to marriage. "If he does not come here, it won't be because this wasn't his No. 1 place," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said Thursday. "I just think everything is going very well. We're doing all we can do." But the problem is there is only so much they can do, limited to offering only the mid-level exception because they are over the salary cap. As positive as Swift sounded about fitting in with the Rockets, he said he must consider all offers. "Hopefully, I can help out if I do decide to come here," Swift, 25, said Wednesday. "It's always going to come down to money, but I want to make sure I'm comfortable with where I am and with the players and know down the line I made this decision because it was good for me." Swift, a 6-9 forward, also has met with Knicks officials and is expected to receive offers larger than the mid-level exception, especially when teams with salary-cap room that fail to land their initial targets regroup. But Dawson described the visit as a success. "We went out to dinner (Wednesday) and everyone was coming up in the restaurant, saying they were Rockets fans and telling him, 'I hope you come here,' " Dawson said. "He had a good time. He liked everything about the facility, everything about the arena. He had a good meeting with Jeff (Van Gundy, Rockets coach)." While pursuing Swift, the Rockets added several players to their summer league team, including former Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Dion Glover, who could be a candidate to play his way to the veteran camp. Chevon Troutman, a 6-7 All-Big East power forward from Pittsburgh who was not selected in last month's draft, former Penn State point guard Joe Crispin and former Continental Basketball Association point guard Billy Keys were added to the roster. Centers Nigel Dixon, Mike Benton and Paul Grant will compete in the team's summer camp for the final spot.
9 points 5 rebounds Walker, Marshall, and SAR all on the open market OK big stro, you go a winner or you go to the Hornets
Does it mean Rockets can only wait and see what happens in Swift's case? What do you guys think is Rockets' plan B? SAR, Antoin, etc.?
There is no longer a doubt in my mind that Isiah Thomas is absolutely the most idiotic GM in the history of GMs and GM-ing. You have Tim Thomas You have Mo Taylor You have Jerome Williams You have Malik Rose You have Mike Sweetney You just drafted Channing Frye You just drafted David Lee How many more average PFs or PFs with "upside" do you need to stockpile?!? Instead of trying to woo Swift, maybe you should try to make some trades, get some cap relief, and put together a team that will go farther than the first round of the playoffs.....it boggles the mind.... But in other news, I think we should just move on if he doesn't give us an answer by next week. Anything longer than that, it's obvious that he's basically fishing for better offers.
Dion Glover? He use to be ok w/ the Hawks from the bench.... I hope Swift comes here. Would be nice to sleep at night knowing that the PF slot is filled.... But in the end, money is going to blind him and he'll go to the Knicks..
I'm struck by the opening quote of CD. It seems to confirm that all the nice stuff Swift said about the Rockets wasn't just talk. Although it doesn't change my thoughts on his game one way or another, it's very satisfying to hear a free agent (heck, anyone in the NBA) talk straight for once. "I really like you guys, but I'm out for the biggest contract I can get." Stromile, on behalf of myself and many other NBA fans, thanks for giving it to us straight and "swift." Best of luck wherever you end up. And I do hope it's with us. I could be willing to take on Cardinal's contract to get a S&T deal done. Maybe Spoon, Wesley, Ward, and a pick for Stro and Cardinal.
All the rumors about SAR point to NJ. Sadly, I think we have a fairly good shot at Antoine Walker. Boston no longer seems to want him with the signing of Scalabrine. The only other team I've heard that is interested in Walker is Chicago.
How is money going to blind him if the Knicks can't offer any more money than we can. If Swift does take the biggest offer it will probably be to the Hornets.
Because the Knicks are always capable of doing something like Marbury for Swift and Williams(add filler as neccessary) and giving Swift a huge deal in a sign and trade.
Ewww. No way would I take Cardinal's contract. I wouldn't touch Jason Williams either. But if West wants to move out Miller, Posey, Tsakalidis, along with Swift for expiring contracts and future draft picks then I'd go for it. He probably wouldn't do for it, but for someone that thought Hakeem Warrick was a "very good player at Princeton....."
Unfortunately, I don't think West is willing to move those guys just for crappy expiring contracts. We're pretty much sunk if we can't facilitate a S&T, and there's no reason for West to make it easy for us. If I'm West, I tell Swift I'll trade him to the Knicks for the right package; otherwise, he can just walk and sign with New Orleans. No way I help out the Rockets unless it's really in my interest.
I checked out footage of some of Swift's games from last season. I think if he signed here we would end up being disappointed with his defense, somewhat content with his rebounding, and pleasantly surprised with his offense. If Dion Glover is healthy now, he could be a real nice addition to this team.
I think the advantage that Thomas has is he is willing to eat bad contracts. Houston isn't and shouldn't want to do it. Thomas has $25 million in expiring contracts. He could eat J Will, Cardinal and Tsakalidis and give Stro a nice salary.
I like Glover. Certainly not a deadeye shot, but he's a little bull of a guy. Real tough. I think I'd like him coming in off the bench occasionally at the 2 or 3.
What is the problem with 5 years 30 mil plus a wink-wink deal (Shandon, MoT) guaranteed deal of 2 more years at 15 mil (or 20 mil) at the players option? 7 years/ 45 mil or even 7 years 50/mil--with Swift in effect being opting out the last two years if he can do better than 15-20 mil? What do you think? Take Memphis out of the picture?
