IMHO, We are going to lose Drew or Mobley to free agency sometime. They both will grow into starters in the NBA, and there will come a time when they want starters money and minutes. We do not have enough to go around. If we do the deal, where does that leave us with the Salary Cap at the end of the year. We jettison Walt, TMass, and get Kandi..1 year left right? And D. Anderson who is a FA. 2 things, would we have DA's bird rights? and if he left would we have more cap room because of Walt and Tmass exit? DaDakota PS. Make the deal if it is there. I want to see Drew get his due.
I told you a deal was on the table. However, I do not think we will do it. This is just one of the many offers we have. Although I'm not sure about Derek Anderson. You would be surprised, but the key to the deal isn't Derek Anderson, its Kandi. A deal like this is similar to the one we recieved from Portland. You may ask why? Well kandi is very raw right now and when he finally develops it will be after Dream retires. Talented big men are rare these days. Just wait... Would your rather do this deal now or wait for this deal: Kandi + Clips #1 + Nesby for Drew, Walt, TMass, plus Rocks #1. Trust me there are better deals...patience is the key.
cabbage-The reason that I would do this is that I think Maggette is going to be one of those special players (like Franchise) one day. Kenny Thomas has played well, allbeit inconsistent. He doesn't have the speed to hang on the perimeter with threes and will not contend with bigger fours. Thomas would be in the same situation as Drew if this deal occured, stuck on the bench behind Cato and Rogers for the next few years. Harpring would just be a throw in. I like Mobley. He has already formed a good relationship with Francis and would come back where as Anderson might not. By getting and keeping Anderson the rox would have to try and resign him and if they couldn't they have severely damaged their chances with mobes.
Rocketsfan34- It sounds like you know something we don't. Share my friend, share. I bet we're in a great bargining position. The clipps must be horny for Drew. I still wouldn't mind losing Anderson to fee agency this summer; after all, its like we droped Walt's contract and traded Drew for Kandi. Not a bad situation. Could we do better? I bet we could. We seem to be holding all the cards. Hey Popeye, do you know anything about this? Rocketsfan34, what other deals are on the table?
Signing Anderson would give the rockets more fire power. I never have really checked out his defense. Kandi would add another big man that can block shots(1.73), not Cato, not Pig. Olajuwon and Cato are both top ten in blocked shots/48mn. Dreamworld sequence may make pessimists quesy, " Think of a team with Olajuwon(healthy next year), Cato (starting), Kandi (playing PF with decent defense), and McGrady. This team could generate 8-9 blocks a game. Denver gets 8 with macDyess, Lafrenz, and Keon Clark. A team with this block shot potential would allow the guards to play tighter defense daring their opponent to drive." Alas the rockets have nothing to trade for McGrady, Olajuwon being healthy is a strech, and this trade is still just talk. Francis ,in my opinion, is the man. He's the 40-45 min man. Mobley can have Francis's leftovers if he wants them. Drew is thus expendable. Walt is worth less than zero to the rockets. Draft pick hurts a little since I figured the rocks would try to get a backup PG there, but Moochie may be fine. [This message has been edited by Joe Joe (edited February 11, 2000).]
Rocketsfan34: If I had my choice, I would pick the deal we are currently discussing. Swapping pre-determined lottery picks can get pretty dangerous, and even though the Clippers suck, there is always the chance ours might come out higher. With Anderson, however, you can't go wrong.
Cabbage: I meant swapping picks and players on draft day. Not now, its crazy since we could get the number 1 pick. Remember Elie? Well that's Nesby. A deadly clutch shooter who's a great spark off the bench. Would you still still do the deal now? Basically the difference between the deals is one we get Derek and the 9th pick or a top 3 and Nesby. Although Derek Anderson is great player, we are loaded with SGs. Kandi's value is much more than Derek Anderson's value to us even though Anderson is the better player. You have to realize who we value and who the other team values. A great example is Drew. We have Francis, Drew's value is nada. However on a Clips team in need of a good PG, he's like Kidd(You know what I mean). Aruba: We had a Toronto deal but apparently things fell apart. Miami had some talks with us, as well as the Clips. We are not the major players out there right now. We are just picking up the leftovers. Like trading for role players.
Rocketfan34: I still would rather go for this deal rather than the one you are mentioning. THIS DEAL: *Olowokandi *Anderson *OUR LOTTO PICK YOUR DEAL: *Olowokandi *Nesby *Their pick Olowokandi = Olowokandi. Anderson > Nesby OUR PICK <=> THEIR PICK Basically, you can either take the better player in Anderson, and keep our draft pick which could just turn out to be a higher one, or take the lesser Nesby (who is still good) and take their draft pick which could be better, but not guaranteed. However, looking at it from your point of view: Nesby just signed a new contract this summer, so he would definitely stay. Anderson however, is a free agent and there would be a chance we'd lose him. Also, Nesby fills the small forward hole we have right now, while with Anderson we'd be playing Shandon out of position. Mobley would also probably get pissed off at his new lack of playing time. LA's pick also has a higher chance of being Top-3 than ours. SO it's pretty much take the risk in Anderson, or go for the sure thing this summer in Nesby+Clipper pick. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited February 11, 2000).]
Drew's value has been set. And it's high. I don't know how serious these deals are but, I like what is being discussed. Drew was a 16th player selected and Kandi-man was the 1st pick in his draft. WoW!!! Who say's Rudy and Carol don't do their homework!!!!!!!!!!! Personally I would go for the Nesby deal! Tyrone Nesby would be great for the Rockets. But CABBAGE I see your point. Shandon Anderson really hasn't become the consistent scorer that he can become. Thus Derek Anderson would give the Rockets much needed Offense. Come on, if Nesby comes here where is the offense? The offense would be only Francis, your point guard? Uuh!! But if Anderson comes here and plays small forward, he helps out francis. Kandi, Cato, and S. Anderson are not offensive players. They are all great defenders, but this team needs some ball hoggs. In need of some ball hoggs, well at least guy's who arent afraid to shot on a consistent basis. What other trades are there on the table!!!!
Cabbage: Good analysis, however when we trade on draft day we would know who's pick was higher and stuff. I personally hate going small ball lineup with Francis, Derek, and Shandon. I perfer Francis, Shandon, and Nesby. They aren't playing out of position. Plus the clips pick should result in a superstar which can have its drawbacks. You may get a more talented player, but how will Francis cope with it. Egos sometimes don't work out. Sometimes the lower pick is better cuz of the egos problems. Also, At the rate the Clips are going, they look to have the worst record. Van and Bulls all beat them. I know its a long shot, but maybe 3 years later after Odom has taken enough losses, he might want to get out of Clipperland. Bolt for money somewhere else. Right now the top 3 pick looks much better than the top 10 becuase I don't know which underclassmen are coming out. [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited February 11, 2000).]
Actually, you bring up a good point about the draft picks. If indeed we make a deal this year to acquire another star caliber player, I would, to prevent the ego problems: A) Trade the pick for a defensive veteran like the Raptors did this year for A. Davis. B) Trade down and pick a defensive specialist who doesnt need the ball to score. I think two stars is the limit on any team. More than that, and you start getting into shot distribution problems, leadership questions, and financial concerns.
But then wouldn't this conflict your no one over 25 rebuilding rule? Basically you are asking for another Shandon Anderson? You could pick one of these guys in the second round. Why not take a chance on a star AND pick this type of player in second? Well the perfect senerio would be to draft Morris. No ego problems becuase Francis and Morris were teammates before. He's a scorer too, so we don't need Anderson.
Noone over 26 in your nuclues. A. Put together a nucleus of 4-5 talented young players, around 20-27. B. Fill in the rest of the roster with unselfish veterans who can teach, defensive specialists, spot-up shooters, frontcourt help. The best example of this format would be: Nucleus: Carter McGrady Fortson Christie (he's 29, but what the hell) Vets Antonio Davis Charles Oakley Kevin Willis Specialists: Curry Yes, but there is a great chance of not getting that scorer because we will most likely end up with a low lottery pick. Then, we will end up with only one star (Francis) and role players, and that is not the way to go, IMHO. [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited February 11, 2000).]
Well take Fortson out of the equation, the trade was nixed cuz someone didn't pass their physical. But since we trading down from such a high pick, wouldn't you want a veteren to become part of the nucleus? I wouldn't want to just waste the pick for a short run at the title. I DO NOT want to do what the Lakers did. Plus, we need a forward to compliment Francis. BTW, why do we need a veteren? We ain't going to challenge for the title. Maybe in a few years. The more I think about Morris is our man. I've heard from couple sources that he's going to come out. He's probably the top or near the top player in the nation. Usually players like that come out. I don't see why not draft him. He's a tall SF, good scorer, no ego problems with Francis, and an odom basically. [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited February 11, 2000).]
