I think a thing to also remember is that this is preseason and these players will get more shots now...in the regular season, I wouldn't bet on it. I don't think Luther Head is going to go anywhere, and I don't want him to either. Just my opinion.
Couldn't we keep both of them by trading Head and cutting Harris? Or would that still keep us above the threshold?
No no no. You don't cut Luther Head. Luther Head is the only proven commodity in the trio of Head, Wafer and DJ Strawberry. As long as he can shoot, he'll have a spot somewhere in the NBA. Last time I checked, he can still shoot. Wafer and DJ have had a few good preseason games. Remember back when Novak was lighting it up during the preseason? What did that result in? If you look at the stats of Wafer and DJ they have yet to have a season anywhere close to shooting 40% from FG range. Luther Heads career average is above 40% shooting on the other hand (and his 3 point career avg is just under 40%). The choice is an obvious one. You keep Luther and dump either Harris, DJ or Wafer. IMO I think Wafer is gone despite the great game yesterday. Historically he isn't known as a shooter, and he isn't bringing anything else besides the 1 great shooting game this season. DJ on the other hand, can at least get to the FT line. Actually, I take that back. I can see Luther being dumped because we want to get under the Lux tax. Thats about it. Although, you would think if that was the plan, just about anyone would have no problem taking Luther Head for nothing. Unless he's part of a bigger trade?
Geez, why do people keep comparing Wafer to Novak? Wafer has better handles, plays better D, and can get to the basket unlike Novak.
Luther had regressed last year. He never recovered from the first series with Utah. Every time he was given a chance during the regular season last year, he sucked. And then, in the playoffs he was even worse. He's had a mediocre preseason at best in addition to all of that. I think it's time to move him. That's probably the best thing for both parties.
If I was morey, I would try to package head and francis for a te or a backup big. Although guys don't like dealing in conference, but la has mbenga and mihm. Maybe the rox can parlay francis for mihm or head for mbenga to solve yao backup.
Adam Wexler said Luther Head has planterfishyitus(sp?) maybe thats code for he's getting traded soon.
I think Morey will wait until Francis comes back and actually plays before trading him. Francis's trade value is at an all time low right now. If Stevie comes back and plays even halfway decently, then Morey will have more options for trading him. Remember, a team's total salary (for luxury tax purposes) is not determined until the end of the season, so Daryl has until at least the February trade deadline to jettison excess baggage. Also, assuming that Mutombo may join the team later in the season, I don't think the Rockets need any more big men. Yao, Scola, Landry, Hayes and Dorsey (not to mention Artest) should be more than enough to man the PF and C spots.
we're not cutting luther. hes got the most trade value and we can at least get a pick for him. im sold on wafer and strawberry. keep them both and trade head.
I really don't see Mike Harris and Head's value now. Head's no better than any of the guards; while we have a load of "little big men" already.
People, we're not going to cut anybody with a guaranteed contract. Doing that doesn't help us anything money wise. And a trade is not likely right before the season begins. If we want to keep both Wafer and DJ, the only logical choice is to ask SF to retire so his salary can come off the books.
Look at his career numbers. Dude has never cracked 40% shooting. Hell, his career high in FG% is .304. You guys crack on Rafer for not being able to shoot, and then jump on this guys nuts for having 1 great pre-season game. And its not like the guy is 18 and you can say "well, he's a project". Luther Head, as much as you guys are ****ting on him, has proven he can at least consistently make shots. You bring up the point that Luther Head has disappeared in the playoffs. Two issues with that though: 1) I want to wait till we face a team other than Utah before we call Luther Head the ARod of the NBA. You can attribute his poor play to being forced to play against big guards. 2) You seriously think Von Wafer will contribute more than Luther in the playoffs? If we DO keep Von Wafer, he's on the IR list all season until someone gets injured. In the playoffs (if he makes the playoff roster), he might get 5 spot minutes here or there. DJ Strawberry is just as hopeless. Same age, same build, etc. His only year in the league he shot .315, but he's shown he can get to the line at least. So in that regard he might be useful as a guy that can cut to the basket. So in conclusion, you don't flat out cut Luther so that you can keep Von Wafer AND DJ Strawberry. Its probably the most r****ded thing I've ever heard.
I don't think so. Young guns bust a lot. Who knows right? I mean Chuck Hayes is a pimp, and no one saw that coming. Well, Ron Artest did, but that's because he and God went to the end of time and saw all the cool stuff that'd go down. Ron Artest knows we have a ring coming our way...
Luther Head is the key to our team. When he plays well we play well. He needs to start this season over Rafer.
You are contradicting yourself. You're basically saying we're not going to cut anyone, but if we were going to, it should be Francis. My point is: We are not going to waive Francis. We are going to give Francis the same respect we gave Sura. We are going to let him play out his injury rehabilitation until he gives up. We can waive him anytime this year for medical reasons and get salary cap relief, should he really be unable to play again. There is no timetable on it. <b>bottomline</b>: Although we could cut Head...we're not. Although we could waive Francis to sign DJ or VW and attempt to get salary relief right now...we're not
My friend, i don't know if you remember the Anne Hathaway thread and all the drama that followed it? duluth111222 is another alter ego for hmmm.
If Francis retires due to medical reasons, his salary will come off the book. How is that the same as simply cutting someone and still having his salary count towards the LT threshold?
Not unless the league doctor agrees. Why are you making this into a scenario to be able to sign DJ or VW, right now? Waiving Francis right now, risks having the league doctor say No to our claim that he can't play anymore...then his salary gets locked in and we can't do anything about it. Your idea of waiving him now as a way to keep DJ or Wafer is silly. He's not done with his rehab, yet. There is little to no chance a doctor will say he can't play anymore until he finishes his rehab.
