For this team to contend, Yao has to be healthy enough to help them. I think there's still a big if about how this team will play out. The Defensive has to be better.
I could be mistaken, but I read that as it has to be between 51-55 otherwise the Clippers keep it, and it goes away. I think this was just a salary dump and a chance for DA to get somewhere he might fit in a bit better. DD
So if we're to assume that Anderson was traded with cash equal to his entire salary (2 mil?), in order to save that same amount, then we can safely assume that more salary dumping is likely, right? Just because this deal wouldn't save money, it would just move closer to that 70 mil line.
Re: Andersen trade means Rockets won't pay luxury tax. Probably non-sense. In any case way too early to tell. Andersen was essentially dumped for free. Rockets (likely) pay Raptors $3 million to dump Andersen's $2.5 million contract. Rockets save a net $2 million ($2.5 million salary, $2.5 million lux tax, minus $3 mill paid to Toronto) and give away a player expected to be out of the rotation after the addition of Miller (and Patterson and Yao). Raptors makes $500K in cash terms, and essentially gets a somewhat decent role player without having to pay any salaries. Both teams win in financial terms. Such a "win-win" trade in financial terms is a lot easier to work out for someone making less than $3 million than for somone making nearly $7 million like Jeffries. I think even at the deadline the salary owed to JJ might be close to, if not more than $3 million. We'll see if what the market is for a expiring contract salary dump in February. What this trade does suggest is that maybe, just maybe, the cost of a salary dump come February might be reasonable due to proliferation of trade exceptions. Does it mean the Rockets first choice is to dump JJ's salary? Probably not. What it means is that the Rockets have the option to either be a "buyer" of salary or a "seller". If someone good becomes available, I'd bet the Rockets won't hesisate trading JJ's contract as part of the deal for the guy and maybe even eating more salary for current and future years even if it means tax paying. If no one becomes available, the Rockets have the option of dumping JJ (and save $10 million or so -- half season salary + luxury tax) at whatever market cost for absorbing 1/2 season of JJ's salary is. Not sure they will do it, not sure there will be a market for it, but at least it's possible.
Uh oh, don't look now but Toronto now has the twin towers. Bargnani and Anderson, two deadly 7 footers who will launch 30 footers all game and average a combined 6 rebounds per game. Must be a glorious day for the citizens of toronto.
This. DaDakota, mentioned dumping Taylor's salary and, I apologize in advance, but that's a horrible idea. Pairing his small contract with an expiring, even for a small upgrade, is an advantage the Rockets would be wise to keep. Star players have large contracts and young cheap talent fetches them, but salaries still need to match.
Andersen played for Australia against China last night. Opportunity lost. He's grown his hair longer and was sporting one of those Scola hair accessories. We could've had the headband twins next season.
Lots of ASSUMING that there will be star players available this year, when history shows that not to be the case. Getting rid of Andersen is 100% a salary dump......nothing more. DD
The Rockets had him taking those outside shots but we saw his stregths were that turnaround jumper and some nifty post up moves. Maybe he'll have more of an opportunity to play to his strengths in Toronto.
I am still not sure if it was Andersen or Anderson. Thank goodness it doesnt matter anymore. Good riddance. Best of luck to him in T-dot.
I reckon we should replace an Aussie with another Aussie. See Patrick Mills is in a head to head with Armon Johnson for Portland's final PG spot. Reckon we could do a lot worse than have Patty here as our 3rd PG. Still only young and had a pretty good college career. Still plenty of improvement in him. http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a...8/portland_deciding_futures_of_mills_johnson/
