Okay, now this probably is just a dream but could/would it work out?: New Jersey-Cato, Thomas, & #9 Houston-Kittles & #1 NJ needs a good center who doesn't have to score and can take some defensive pressure off of Van Horn. Cato fits that mold perfectly. Thomas allows them to move Van Horn to the 3 at times where he is a better player. Kittles is another player to have out on the wing who can run with Stevie and drop the long ball.Kittles and other throw ins or our exeception might make it work under the cap. I say we investigate this especially if Mobes doesn't look to re-sign here. We could then pick Swift or trade with Orlando to get 3 pix in the lottery (Miles, Miller, Fizer, Moiso, or whoever). ------------------
It might work, but I wouldn't do it even if New Jersey would. Simply put, who would be our center next year and for the future? And no, Hakeem doesn't count, because he won't play many minutes, he will get hurt, and he has just one year left. There are so few decent centers in the league. Cato, as much as we insult him, is better than most of the centers out there, and has potential as well. Unless you can get a decent center in return, then hold onto Cato. ------------------ Cheaters never win. Unless you play for LA that is.
We can get a center through a trade using our exception and Drew, through the draft next year, or in FA after Dream retires and brings down the cap. If we need to use TMass and Miller to back Dream up next year, we do. I'd do that deal in a heartbeat. And I wouldn't keep the pick. I'd trade it down, inch by inch. First to Chicago for their 2 lottery picks and swap 2nd round picks, and I believe they still want Mihm. Then trade the #4, Drew and Kittles to LAC for Kandi and the #3. Take Swift or Martin, depending on what Vancouver does, LAC takes Fizer. At #7 take Miles or Miller. With Chicago's #32, take N'diaye or Porter. We could end up with: Dream/Kandi/N'Diaye Swift or Martin/Rogers/TMass Williams/Miles/Bullard Anderson/Mobely Francis/Norris That would be a super draft for us. We'd add Kandi, N'Diaye, Swift or Martin, and Miles, dramatically strengthening our frontcourt. Oh well, I don't believe NJ will part with the #1 anyway, even for Cato, KT, and a Miller, Johnson or Alexander at #9. I hope we are offering them that option, though! ------------------ the more I know, the more I know I don't know...
Okay, her is how I see this draft working: We send Cato, KT, and the #9 to NJ for Kittles and the #1. NJ does this because they dont need a premier player (Van Horn and Marbury have problems co-existing as it is). They get a starting center who can block shots and a power forward who can play off the bench and give Van Horn minutes at the 3. At 9 they can draft Oyediji or Etan Thomas, both of whom are solid workers who allow Van Horn and Marbury to shoot while they hit the boards. NJ gets three players who will help them rather than one who could possibly disrupt their already fragile chemistry. Now, here comes the meat of the deals. If we know that Mobes will be here next year we ship Kittles to a team in need of a 2. I think that we could get Mason or Campbell from Charlotte for Kittles, especially since it appers EJ is gone. We could select either Swift or Marin with the 1st pick, but I have my eye on Miles, so we send this pick and Drew to Orlando for the 5,10, and 13. My thinking is that they are going to get Duncan and they would jump at the chance to team him with Martin. They dont want to use a lot of money on picks either and the 3 lottery picks are guaranteed money, Drew is a good post up offense point which is what Orlando will run next year. Now, the Rox have three lottery pix (what a bummer!!!). With the 5 we select Miles. He already is being compared to Garnett and it took him only a year of seasoning to be an impact player. Now we have to address our hole at center. At 10, we select Tsakalidis. I have yet to see him play but he is compared to Sabonis who all the experts cream about when they talk about his younger days. Other possibilities at 10 are Moiso, Oyediji, or Thomas (depending on NJ at 9). The 13th pick is an either/or. Either we grab another post or we go with a wing player. I would probably select either Richardson or Porter. Another possibility is to trade this pick to the Jazz for the 23 and 26. We could grab Donnel Harvey and Kapono with those picks. That actually sounds pretty damned reasonable (as opposed to the rest of these deals). Anyway, here is our 2000-2001 (playoff) team: point - Franchise/Moochie shooting guard - Anderson/Mobes/Kapono small forward - Wiz/Miles power forward - Mason/Thomas/Harvey center - Dream/Tsakalidis Now, CD if you read this call up Rod Thorn ASAP nad get the ball rolling! ------------------
Sherlock-They still want Mihm, but all the stories were to push Mihm down to them. We aren't gonna draft Mihm, cause he is only arguably better than Cato, and we also gave up KT/#9 with him. I don't think Chicago has #4/#7 for #1 on the table. UT Baller-Tsakalidis may or may not have contract issues. He also doesn't have Sabonis' 3 point range, and he is very raw. The only similarity he may have with Sabonis will be the trouble he's gonna have getting to America. Just because a player is compared to another doesn't mean he will progress at the same rate. I'd take Campbell over Mason due to personality flaws (in Mason) and because Campbell can play C. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
I think its a safe bet to assume the Rocks wont trade a top pick if they are able to get all the way up there. ------------------ Now introducing the starting lineup for your Houston Rockets: Starting at Center from Wake Forest - TIM DUNCAN
