"the world"... Garcia (Dominican Republic), Motiejunas (Lithuania), Pap (Greece), Capela (Switzerland), Llull (Spain), Gentile (Italy), Todorovic (Montenegro). If Pap & Garcia are dealt that would open up the need for a SF. Where the interest in Brewer lays?
So basically, we're talking to ATL right for Milsap. If they aren't feeling our offer we turn our sights back to Dragic and give up everything + the kitchen sink?
Read Feigan's article from yesterday. He pretty much is telling everyone to not expect a big name player like Millsap with this deal that they are looking to make before Dec 15th (deadline much like Asik deal so they can flip players later on at actual deadline). The Rockets don't have the assets to trade for a guy like that right now who is a key part of a winning team. Let's get that straight right. At the deadline... maybe, but most likely the route for those type of guys will come in free agency.
Thing is though Dragic and Milsap are expiring, and the Hawks, Suns, Im sure are completely aware of that. They probably know their best bets are to sell now/early to get the most possible value.
Milsap likes Atlanta and there is a good chance they resign him. He is their most popular player and Horford is physically having a lot of issues. Dragic is a more interesting case. He told everyone in Phoenix he didn't want to leave, he then told everyone in Houston that he didn't want to leave... and ultimately went to the team that offered the most money. Then, this summer we hear Dragic is a slam dunk to resign with the Suns and how he doesn't want to leave. Now it is known he will test free agency and thinks there are too many point guards. He is probably gone from Phoenix unless he gets the max. Will Phoenix deal him? I don't know.
The Rockets have the assets. Some combination of Canaan/Cap/Pelicans/Kostas/2nd rounders/Johnson would likely get the job done. The problem is that the Rockets likely aren't willing to give up all of their assets for a player that can leave in the off season.
The Rockets can keep Dragic if they are willing to give him the max. He loves McHale, would be on a very good team with Harden and Howard.
Yes they are aware of that. However the Hawks and Suns are actually good teams right now trying to win games. They are NOT going to sell off their key players in December. Talk to me in late January if their teams look like they aren't going to be playoff contenders. Then you might see some movement from a team like this. However right now there is no way in hell they are moving either player of that caliber when both teams are performing like playoff teams. They know that Morey's offer and any other GM's offer won't get that much worse by February. Even then, I still think their front offices will feel like they have a good shot at retaining both players, and will likely decide to roll with the punches, and gamble on them staying long term in free agency. Getting assets like the Rockets have does NOT have the potential return on investment as it does if you are able to resign a player like that. There is no indication out there that these players wont give their teams a chance to resign them. Hell... Atlanta and Millsap were even talking extension a couple weeks ago. Outside of Houston do you REALLY think those asset are going to blow anyone away really? I mean come on guys. Lets get realistic. Don't get me wrong.. Morey should ABSOLUTELY try, but I think alot of you guys really need to get your head out of the clouds, if you think Goran Dragic, Millsap, or Rondo are coming through that door anytime soon that you are seriously setting yourself up for massive disappointment.
GMs love the magic bean and there is one out there that would be willing to bite if the Rockets offered all of theirs up. It might take a 3rd team but I believe it would get done if Morey was willing to offer all his young assets. I left Jones out of my list but meant to put him in there btw.
I don't agree. Let's say hypothetically they give up all of their "assets" for Dragic. If you assume that he walks in the offseason, that is not a complete loss because that salary/cap hold will come off the books. Then we would have near max dollars to offer the other expiring players that we've been discussing (Rondo or Milsap). The downside is that you don't get the full MLE to ADD to the current team (like a backup C!).
Receiving cap space isn't really a huge benefit. They can get close to max next off season without making a trade while still being able to hold on to their picks. But I am on your side that I would give up almost anybody that wasn't Howard or Harden for Dragic and take my chances on resigning him or somebody else next summer.
The Rockets assets have value if the Rockets have leverage. That's the point.. why do teams actually sell off really good players? Free agency next year? .... that's not nearly the leverage maker that you'd think for good teams with a good shot of retaining their player in FA the following Summer. Love is going to be a free agent this Summer. Do you think Cleveland is going to trade him in December? LMA is going to be a free agent. Is Portland shopping him? Millsap and Dragic might not be Love or LMA, but they are their teams equivalent. They are extremely important to their teams, and they are going to be important to them moving forward. You NEED a team that NEEDS to go in another direction in order to create that leverage. The Rockets are going to have to get players off of teams like the Knicks, Milwaukee (veterans only), Minnesota, Brooklyn, etc. -FYI Jones is out indefinitely, and we see now how important he is for the Rockets. As a GM you need to be cognizant of not robbing Peter to pay Paul. Moving Jones for Millsap, or a Horford.. great... do it. Moving Jones for someone like Jarrett Jack or Corey Brewer.... creates other holes elsewhere on the roster. He's an asset yes, but much like Ariza... they need him right now and moving forward. You can't throw EVERYONE in a trade that isn't for a core player like this just to make a trade.
True, but it doesn't help us THIS year. And we would not be in the advantageous position with the player we do trade for (5th year, bird rights, keep the MLE). So the additional wins/playoff progression this year plus the higher likelihood of keeping said player and using the MLE is worth the risk.
