One factor that disfavors the Rockets in this pursuit is the limitations on the kind of contract that a player can get via a sign and trade. Specifically, a sign and trade contract not only 1) can be for no more than 4 years, but also 2) can be for no LESS than 3 years before any option kicks in. Given the rising cap situation, this is a pretty big deal. A guy like Aldridge or Love can choose to get a 5 year deal with their current teams (with 5th year being player option) if they value guaranteed money above all else. Alternatively, they can sign the 1+1 deal (1 year, plus 2nd year player option) or even a 2+1 deal (2 years plus 3rd year player option) o take advantage of the expected rise in salary cap quicker. The best deal that the Rockets or any other team can offer in a sign and trade is a 3+1 deal-- which is kind of in the no-man's land in terms of security vs. flexibility. Of course, the Rockets may try to go the "cap room" route, but that would mean letting go of several of the supporting players who helped the team succeed last season (Ariza, Brewer, Smith, maybe Beverley to name a few). I'm sure Morey would agree to do this, but losing them do make the team weaker and a less attractive landing spot for a player who wants to win right away. I wonder that, if a big $ unrestricted free agent wants to play for Houston but doesn't want to take a less attractive contract, maybe his best option is to sign the 1+1 deal with a team (his own or another one with cap room) and use the leverage (I think a 1+1 contract still allows a free agent to veto trades) to force a trade to Houston.
Heard on Radio out here in NYC that OKC may offer a sign and trade package of Ibaka-Kanter for Aldridge. Not sure how the #'s work.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RealGM Sources: LaMarcus Aldridge planning free-agent meeting with Toronto; considering Houston Rockets sitdown. <a href="http://t.co/EsYH0YCixI">http://t.co/EsYH0YCixI</a></p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/615609115818102784">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not sure if you're serious or not, but I don't think it's a good idea to "use" a team that doesn't have cap space. Yup. This is my biggest concern. If not for the 2016 spike and the proliferation of 1-year deals (look at Deng's decision to opt-in, for one example), I really think the Houston S&T would be his clear top option.
I don't think anyone is getting used in these situations. Aldridge doesn't need leverage. He's going to get a max contract wherever he goes unless he CHOOSES to take less money for some reason. Any team he meets with is a team he has interest in OR is part of an agency favor. I don't think the Rockets have a chance to get him personally and I wouldn't be surprised to see him just decline to meet with us.
Using the Rockets for what, though? Not that he is coming to Houston, but the Rockets are not very useful as leverage. He's gonna get whatever contract that he wants anyway from a number of teams. So, it's not like there is gonna be a bidding war.
Yeah "using" the Rockets doesn't help LMA, it would only drive up a possible S&T package which would result in less talent being left on the team LMA is going to. Leverage only works with cap space teams as an "alternate" to his S&T possibilities, forcing POR to agree to the S&T.
That's fair. Again I think we undervalue mid range shooting because calling it th "least effecient shot" (which it is) doesn't account for 1) anomalies like LMA who shoot it relatively well and 2) the overall effect a good mid range shooter has on spacing as well as 3) the options a dynamic player like LMA can have if a defense is running our 3 point shooters off the line. I would agree with you that the gap isn't enormous and that D Mo is definitely more bang for the buck, but when you're those close you gotta take every chance to claw up higher. Morey has proven he can get veteran help relatively easily via trade or free agency but star power has been more difficult.
Awesome #ShamsBOMB! This tells me LMA is trying to "create suitors" to force Portland's hand in terms of S&Ts. All about leverage.
Wishful thinking. LMA doesn't have to "create suitors." He's Lamarcus Aldridge and the widely held belief is that the Knicks and Lakers want him for max money AND that the Spurs are ready to gut their roster if need be to give him every penny he wants. Yet people think he's trying to create leverage to get a SnT to Houston? Come on.
LaMarcus wants to sign a 1+1 deal. Remember that. A sign-and-trade deal has to be for 3 seasons and that forces him to leave too much money on the table. He'll sign a 1+1 deal to stay in Portland for the start of next season before forcing a trade or he'll sign with another team that offers him a 1+1 deal in order to force a trade after Dec. 15th if he wants to go to still a 3rd team.
Like I said earlier, that's probably an agent's favor. He isn't going to Toronto to meet with them, he's giving them a meeting in LA. Agent is getting something out of that for sure.
