Except that the Clips would never trade for Francis because of his huge contract, and the Pacers are too busy trying to keep O'Neal than to trade him away. Considering a sign and trade, that might be possible except that O'Neal has gotten them results (playoffs) while Francis has gotten his team to the lottery in 4 years. I think the Pacers would rather keep the younger, bigger guy with more upside. Wouldn't you? O'Neal = younger, taller, stronger, better defense, and possibly cheaper. Oh yeah, and he's a big man in the Eastern conference. If you're a GM in the East, do you trade away a 7 footer for a 6'4 two? Didn't think so. Especially when you've got 6'7=6'8 point guard/two guards in the east aplenty.
Clippers: May or may not decide to eventually start paying players. If they are never going to give players a max contract, then the trade would obviously not happen. Francis though is one of the more popular players in the league. This means ticket sales. So if they are going to give a max contract, Francis is just the kind of player that Sterling wants. Pacers: Sure they would like to keep O'Neal. The thing is, O'Nealmay just sign with the Spurs, leaving the Pacers with nothing. The Pacers could tell him, "We understand that you don't want to play here, but would you consider a sign and trade. If you go to Houston, you can get more money because we have your Bird rights, and you won't leave us in quite so bad a condition. You will still get to play with a great big man in Yao Ming, and you can keep playing PF instead of being moved to center." I am not saying that it is going to happen, but it is certainly a possibility.
The combinationations are limitless. When we get the new depth chart, you might find see direction we are heading. Funny that this season isn't over and next season is right around the corner. ------------------------------------------------------- Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
J. O'Neal would not sign with the Rox cuz he wouldn't even be assured 2nd scoring option. At san antonio, he's guaranteed that.
If ever the Clips are going to sign a player to the max it will be a young player the caliber of Francis/Brand--Francis has the additional appeal as a 1 man show and one of the most marketable young stars. Also, if they are not willing to offer Brand the max this year or the next they will lose him for nothing. But if the offer a 1 year tender for him this year than they could S&T Brand for the max to Hou for Francis next offseason. Thus the Clips choices might very well be sign Brand for the max, lose Brand for nothing, or take on Francis for Brand plus a little. If I were them I'd take #3 if the Rockets offered. Ordinarily yes I would take J Oneal over Francis. But the Pacers really need an offensively potent guard they just don't have (the reason for their early playoff exit) and they also have Harrington, a 23 year old PF who would start for 80% of the EC teams, and also Bender, still a decent prospect at 22 if less proven than Harrington. I also have Griffin in there too, who like Bender is more prospect than proven--nice to have. If the Pacers could field: B Miller Foster Harrington, Griffin, Bender Artest, Bender Miller, Mercer, Jones, Francis I think that is a more formidable team than last years one. I am assuming like Oneal and Tinsley for Francis and Griff plus filler. They could also make us eat Croshere's salary for Cato (especially important if they lose Miller) or Rice as part of the above deal.
We are talking trade, not FA signing. Also, I can guarantee you Oneal would be a bigger part of our offense than SAs. TD is like a more fundamental Oneal--the plays they would run for Oneal they would just run for TD. Plus, TD and Oneal's favorite positions are the same. There are more complications with Oneal with SA than Oneal with us--unless he singed for less with SA as a strait FA--which I don't think he will do. I think he will either sign with Indiana or be S&T to somewhere else--that is the only way he can max his money.
