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

I bet that you are right that Sacramento doesn't want to take back contracts. And I bet that Miami is not offering players Sacramento would actually want like a Udonis Haslem.

I do think that Miami is seriously considering using its MLE, since Shaq might not have that many championship seasons left in him. Bonzi still wanting more may be the problem. Once it gets beat into Bonzi's head that a big dollar contract aint happening, I suspect he end up chosing between the Rox and the Heat, with maybe the Heat's deal having a better "ring" to it.

BTW I don't see the Kings doing Bonzi any favors here, so a SnT with the Rox will have to include a first round pick. The genius of this move would be how well Bonzi and JVG can get along.

Spreewell might get along better with JVG at half the price

 

If you're going to give up a 1st round pick, then you'd better sign him for 3 years, not 1!!!

 

The Kings are not going to sign Bonzi so getting a TE for 4.2 million would be a freebie for everyone involved.

DD

 

Don't forget one of our 2007 draft picks as well...

 

Here's how I think it breaks down:

Bonzi wants to go wherever he can get the most money this year and where he can get the best numbers to get more money next year.

Bobcats: Can offer bonzi the most money and give him the best opportunity to put up numbers. However, they probably want him the least because Wallace already plays that position and they are not looking to rent a veteran, but instead build a good young core. Also, people will question Bonzi's numbers if he puts them up on a bad team.

Miami: Can offer him their MLE, and want him, but not too badly. A championship team can always use another veteran, but with Wade and probably shandon anderson, you don't need to break the bank on a position already filled. In Miami Bonzi would get the second most money, and be on a good team, but he might not be able to put up all the numbers he wants because he'll play second fiddle to wade, shaq and maybe walker.

Houston: Probably wants/needs him more than miami or charlotte, but can't pay him as much as either team. Their ability to pay him more than denver is contingent on their ability to work out a sign and trade with sacramento using the trade exception. An intriguing scenario bonzi must consider is if one of t-mac or yao go down, bonzi could find himself a go to guy on a playoff team. Then he could play himself into a very lucrative contract the next year. Houston is a gamble for Bonzi, but it could pay off.

Denver: Can pay Bonzi the least, but want him the most desperately. Denver is very thin at SG and would love to have Bonzi. Once again, Bonzi could be a pivotal player on a good team, causing his stock to go up for the next contract, but that's a big if, especially considering the big paycut he would take for that one year.


If I were Bonzi, I think I would cut out charlotte and denver from my list. Charlotte will earn him the most this year but probably do the least for his stock, whereas Denver is the opposite. Houston is the biggest gamble, and Miami is the safe bet. If houston got me the full trade exception, I would go for it. If not, I would go with Miami if they offered the full MLE.

Where will he end up? No clue, but I wouldn't bet on Denver.

 

Well, I have definitely painted myself into a corner here since I never thought he was headed to H-Town in the first place. But these two posts side by side make me think a little more deeply...

First, I personally just don't see the Kings doing the deal for a 2nd rounder. Unless having two additional guaranteed 2007-08 contracts affects that seasons LTax situation. But they'd have plenty of time to dispense them.

Now, given that they are bumping the LTax this season there could be a way to entice them with a 2nd rounder by including cash as part of the deal. Again, this is all fan speculation 'cause the Kings have been mute in the media on Wells other than they don't want to increase salary into the future.

This pre-supposes the Rockets will spend the money since IMHO they went cheap on the Mike James kicker which would have only costed $900K.

This backdrops sets up Wells' contract situation should he be SnT'd to Houston.

By now most of us agree/know that Wells' SnT must be for 3 years but only the 1st year is guaranteed. IMHO, Wells won't give Houston the option to extend a cheap (below MLE $) contract. There is some disagreement as to whether Wells' Bird Rights remain in effect if the option years are terminated. I don't feel that way but let's assume they are.

For 2007-08, the Rockets can offer Wells a 1 year non-Bird which will be just under MLE $. So you have to pose the question...if they like Wells and he likes the Rockets will he sign for MLE type $ next summer? Or are there many teams with cap space and few highly regarded FA's next summer?

So going full circle...

If you think you can keep Wells with the non-Bird 120% of $4.3m and the Kings won't budge off of a demand for a 1st rounder, IMHO you make the trade. The talent deficit is just to big. (Sorry TCab...we'll have to agree to disagree...it's all about the talent to me!).

Una mas...

They're in the LTax range. Why would they want to take on $4.3M in salary which ends up costing $8+M? It would be about the pick.

 

If February rolls around and the 4.2milTE lets them add someone to help them as Artest did last year then they might choose to spend. Or next summer.

The TE would give Sac the same kind of operating room Pacers had and Rox may be playing with right now.

 

So you saying that in February someone is going to "give" the Kings a $4.3m player that will could cost them an additional $4M In LTax penalties and this player will be worth it for a playoff run? Please explain this "flexibility"?

 

I don't think either team takes on the $4.2 M salary per se. The TE, for the team it belongs to, is transferred over to the other team and the contract that they are getting is "absorbed" for lack of a better word. If not used within one year from when they are created, they expire, resulting in future cap space for the owning team. Therefore, I don't think Sac would necessarily want to trade it again at the deadline because of their financial situation.

I forget how they are created in the first place, its weird since NBA trades are supposed to be equal on both sides within a certain dollar amount. It's been posted before though... If I'm wrong, correct me Gater...

 

I agree a pick (1st rounder) or cash is more important to them than the TE. I also agree it is unlikely they would use the TE this season. However Williamson, Potapenko and Hart will be off the books next year, they will have wiggle room then. The TE could be usefull to them after next year's moratorium.

If I am Sac I would take the 4.3 mil TE + cash OR 1st round pick (07 or 08) OR Head or Snyder for Hart (Hart is a lesser player in skill and potential at slightly higher price) to make this deal. Yes the deal is way below market for Bonzi and the Rockets make out like bandits (any of these offerings are a steal for Wells from the Rox perspective), but it is the only way Sac can get something of value out of the Bonzi situation w/o triggering the lux tax.

 

I am pretty well convinced that you guys know more about contacts, cap space, and exceptions that the Rocket's management does. I like "sports." This kind of stuff is really boring to me, but carry on. You seem to be enjoying yourselves. I just want more talent.

 

We got Mike James with a TE, Milwaukee just "gave" him to us. They were in cost cutting mode to re-sign Redd and we could absorb James' contract for nothing.

In Sac's case, a TE is better than nothing. For instance, let's say that phoenix is doing great. Amare is healthy, Kurt Thomas is healthy, Diaw is extended, and Jumaine Jones is playing better than James Jones. James Jones gets paid 3mil and phoenix has a 65mil payroll overall, putting them about 1.5 million over the tax threshold. If they want to shed some salary for their likely 70+ million dollar payroll next year and James Jones is only playing around 13 minutes a game, Sac could take him off their hands at the deadline. Sacramento's only paying him for half the year, so his 1.5mil salary only costs them 3 million, after tax. That price is fair and he could definitely help them during the playoffs.

 

Who says it has to be 4.2? Maybe they'd get a 2mm player. Or much more likely next summer it might be of benefit to them. It'd a nice piece to have in their 'back pocket'.

Q If trade deadline is 2/3 (or so) thru then is it 4.2 X 2 or 1/3 4.2 X 2?

 

at this point i dont see it happening, lets hope Snyder turns it up guys.

 

chirp, chirp



The waiting is the hardest part.

 

I think he'll have no choice but to go for the 2.1 mil, 1 year thing with us.

Miami won't break the bank on him, with a bigger contract, cause of limited playing time and not as much of a need.

For Bonzi to join Charlotte, it is degrading

Denver is not willing to pay the luxury tax, therefore a S&T would need to be done. Sacramento does not want to add salary

If reports are true, Sacramento doesn't want to do any favors, I think Bonzi stops by here for a year.

 

IMO, the quiet is a good sign. The Rox organization is notoriously tight lipped when something is about to go down. MJ was the exception, not the rule.

 

I would think he would end up in Miami - paying more then the Rockets and being on a championship team. If he just wanted money, he'd go to the Bobcats. The Rockets aren't champs and they don't have the money...so I'd be shocked.

But man, what a great addition he'd be. Taking some load off of T-mac just might be what this team needs.

 

I would like to think that he would be going to the bobcats. They have the money and he is able to showcase his talent for his "big contract" next year. Miami has the money but playing time would be an issue. Its very possible that we could get him with the exception, but honestly I'd rather stick to our gaurds...if none of them work out as a starter, then t-mac can always play the two. Our starting line-up next year is very malleable.

 

we need a sg/sf like wells to take the load off of mcgrady. Are we going to rely on Kirk Synder or unproven V-span to shoulder our offense when mcgrad is out of the game ? Its not like we are giving up a whole lot for the guy, I hope we get him.