[Denver Post] Rockets Still interested in Wells...

Paging Doc Rocket...

 

This will tell me much of what I need to Know: Has Bonzi visited, in person, any of these other mentioned teams? Talking on the phone with is much much different than visiting the facilites, meeting management, etc.. If we are the only ones he has visited recently, I really like our chances, but am still skeptical. I don't care about the "headcase" thing. It isn't always that way with every organization. Look at Gary Sheffield. When he was in LA, he was a jerk. He goes to Atlanta and everyone talks about what a great team guy and clubhouse leader he was. He goes to the Yankees and becomes Jerk of the World again. It just takes the proper management in my opinion. If JVG could control Sprewell, I think he could handle Bonzi. Just my two cents...

 

Nope, mostly NOT speculation:

Derek Fisher, IIRC, was certainly a target of ours.
Rashard Lewis came to Houston to visit w/ the Rockets.
Marc Jackson was offered a contract as a restricted FA but his team matched it so we lost him.
Sam Cassel said publicly that he would like to return to Houston.
Ron Artest: CD said afterwards that we would have loved to acquire him.
Antoine Walker: Was actively on the market when we were looking for a PF. It's hard to imagine we didn't at least call his agent.
Shareef: Same as walker. Hard to imagine we never even inquired.

...and I'm sure there were others that I'm not even thinking of.

Point is, MOST of the time when we hear about it, it doesn't happen. MOST aquistions, as I've clearly demonsrated, are things we never dreamed of.



so quit jinxing this. Just go with me because we want this one to happen.

 

From his quotes, sounds like he is looking for money and PT in Houston. Dont know what's involved, but we really have litte to offer money wise.
Second, how come his words remind me of Derreck Anderson of last year.

 

I don't know why Wells would be so offended by the $2.1 mill piece of the MLE. Who else is offering him more right now?

I'm just not real excited about giving up a #1 pick for him. Stackhouse and Mo Pete are both probably going to hit the market next summer and if Toronto cannot sign Mo Pete by the trade deadline, I wouldn't be surprised to see them move him then. He is a bit taller, just as good a defender, and a much better shooter than Wells and doesn't seem to be a head case. I'd like our chances to acquire him either with the MLE or by trade at the deadline, especially if we could throw expirings and a pick at Toronto. On the other hand, if we sign Wells, he is the bird-in-hand. I just hate the idea or giving up a first rounder and giving him the TE dollars without knowing for sure if he's gonna fit in.

I would think that Bonzi, if he is actually after big dollars, would be willing to accept the $2.1 MLE with the opt outs, with the idea being that they have already negotiated a deal for the following years based on him fitting in here this next season. And if we don't have his Bird rights, why not agree to give him the MLE if he plays well (no pun). We really need to add one more MLE type player anyways.

 

If, as reported, Charlotte is interested they are under the minimum salary floor. They could outbid the Pope. If Pope Michael were to recruit Bonzi with a large checkbook game/set/match. IF.

 

I do not want to give up a first rounder for Bonzi Wells.

I he wants to come here for $2.1 mil, I'm obviously all for it.
But I'm not holding my breath.

 

I think giving up a first rounder for Bonzi would certainly be worth it. Hopefully we won't be picking in the lottery anytime soon so our first rounder wouldn't be as valuable. With that said, even when we had a lottery pick, the Rockets basically showed no interest in using it to get a young player.

I'm not holding my breath like you, but Bonzi would be a very good addition to what has been a mediocre at best offseason. Bonzi and Battier would be very good role players next to Yao and TMac. Wells would also give us some rebounding that we are sorely lacking with Battier and Howard as our PFs.

 

You take care of your own team 1st. They are going to lose Bonzi one way or the other. But because we have the TE (they don't have to add salary), they can get a pick, a TE or a better player prospect (VSpan, Snyder, Head) than someone like Hart.

The difference is those were early free agent deals with multiple suiters. Bonzi and his agent may have just played the market all wrong. This much reminds be of the Jim Jackson situation that we smartly capitialized on.

Adding Bonzi would make us legit Championship contenders and would save a very mixed offseason. This may be one where we lucked into a boon. Again very similar to the Jim Jackson situation. A swingman who has talent, tends to wear out his welcome, and who fell through the cracks during FA and may be available at a fraction of his market cost. Bonzi always seemed to rub me the wrong way, but the upside is way bigger the negatives given our uncertainty of our backcourt quality.

 

True, however, Charlotte is probably very leery of bringing in players with baggage. Bad publicity got their last team run out of that somewhat-conservative town.

 

I'm all for getting Wells for either the remaining of the MLE or the TE. I don't want to give up a first rounder for him if we don't have his Bird Rights but I can understand the management's desperate position as well.

 

The Texans suck.
The Astros suck.
The Longhorns, too early to judge, but coming off that VY euphoria, I'm not expecting a BCS bowl.

I need this to happen. I need the rockets to be relevant.

(but I dont' think this happens unless Charlotte bows out).

 

He screwed up and passed up a 5 year 36 mil contract. He's unlikely to get that this year or next so what's his best option?

If the rockets sign and trade the 4.2M TE for 6 years, he will still get 36 mil.

 

Sorry but you haven't clearly demonstrated anything. The problem with your theory is you are bundling everything into aquisitions and not keeping trade and free agent aquisitions separate. And they should be kept separate they are 2 different entities.

The Rockets are known for not leaking trade talks so yes mostly trade aquisitions are surprises. But Free Agent aquisitions are handled differently because you actually have to court the player and those are mostly known ahead of time. Also the Rockets have a prety good success ratio of courting free agents and signing them. Guys like Scottie Pippen, Shandon Anderson, Mo Taylor, Jim Jackson, Derek Anderson, Stro Swift and this Year John Lucas III and Vspan were all talked about in the media before they were signed. Yes Mike James was the exception and yes there have been been other exceptions but for the most part when the Rockets bring in free agents and talk to them they have a pretty good success rate in signing them.

So IMO that is the light that this Bonzi Wells aquisition should be looked under. He is not a lock. Alexander has to okay it, the Kings have to agree with it and Bonzi has to be willing to accept less money than he thinks he deserves and a role as a third option at best. But the idea of this happening is not a pie in the sky pipe dream as you might suggest.

 

The achilles tendon is on the FOOT...

 

I agree and would add of course if Charlotte decides they want him game over. But Charlotte could have had him anytime and made no real effort to do it. They are a young team looking for players who fit into their future. At 30 years old Bonzi is not that player. Still I think they have interest because the price may be right. If they can get him for a few mil it would be hard to pass up. But let me repeat if they wanted him for anything more than below market value they could have had him long ago. And suffice it to say the Rockets still may have the most to offer Bonzi.

 

It'd sure be nice to be the proverbial fly on the wall...

 

Although I would be a bit concerned about the possible chemistry issues, Bonzi (as a starter) would automatically make our bench deeper!

 

It's not on your foot.

 

I didnt know that the Bobcats are possibly involved so I wouldnt be surprised if he is using the Rockets as leverage. However, he is about to 30 and Im not sure if he would wanna sign with team that will not be contenders for many years.