I was running the lotto generator while watching the Pacer-Nets game wishing we were there. Whenever the Rockets come in at #2 in the Ming lotto (except for Chicago who will take Williams and leave Ming for us), I have a dilemma because Williams is the best player on the board. Do we keep Williams and trade Francis or use Williams to trade for the player we want plus a bonus? With Williams the Rockets aren't faced with a big contract extension or migraines, and we get much the same player. However, Francis has heart and I really like his game. Trading Francis also would allow us to play G.S., Chicago, Washington, et al, to obtain another low rounder (Woods) and a player like Fizer (Bulls), Murphy (Warriors) or Haywood (Wizards) to use in a trade with Seattle for Lewis or the Clippers for Odom. (I much prefer Lewis because he is a hometown product. Of course, I also wish we could get our mitts on Alton Ford from Phoenix as long as we didn't hurt ourselves doing it.) Is this a thumbs up or thumbs down?
Trade JW, in the scanrio you gave. Trade him to someone like Memphis or Chicago or Golden State for their top 5 pick this year and unconditionally their first round pick next year
The Griz want Ming, Marcus or Wagner and perhaps Woods if they believed he could play SG. Otherwise, trading down to them would perhaps get us their pick, our 2002 pick and maybe Battier, but the scenarios are more difficult than with the teams that crave Williams. I'm really looking forward to the day when we know what the draft positions actually are.
The lottery drawing is on the third or fourth Sunday in May, and the actual drawing is 67 days from today (Sunday) according to Draftnet.
How could you Francis is one of the 3 best point guards in the league. That is unthinkable. Jason Williams is unproven, and it's not like Francis is old. He has also been loyal along with Cuttino. For shame.
Teams are more than any single individual. If trading Francis for a player who could deliver a championship next year, well, Steve, we wish you well. Now, most of the board, including me, believes that Steve will be a key (if not THE key) to a championship. However, this thread's purpose is to do nothing more than explore options to improve the Rockets, possibly by acquiring another first-line player or high draft pick to dangle in front of Seattle when -- and if -- we go after Rashard Lewis. If we could let Hakeem slip away from the Rockets, well, I guess we are capable of trading anybody.
Agree that this is to explore options. We only let Olajuwon go to because he was at an end and wanted too much money for it (though I would have signed him for one year). This draft is incredibly deep ( as in potentially great players ). But you can't trade a guy like Steve he still has too much upside, because he is still young. And ditto for the teams are not individuals, but we don't need to trade him we are only aome players away. I think that the way to go is to keep him and some how try to get Amare and Qyntel for two to three years from now. Provided they stay healthy and get sufficient playing time they will be great. And I say Amare despite our 4 spot glut because He is only 17 and I believe that he will grow into a very athletic 5 ( not necessarily a Shaq stopper but Shaq will be old by then and there will never be another Shaq either ). Imagine 3 years from now Francis, Mobley, Woods, Griffin, Stoudamire. How could players like that not be appealing, I'm telling you that kind of ultra athleticness on one team would be scary especially for Swarming D with lack of Anti-Zone Rules.
This starting lineup would be gorgeous next year: PG Steve Francis SG Cuttino Mobley SF Rashard Lewis PF Maurice Taylor C Yao Ming That would make us instant contenders. We'd have Yao in there to eat glass and eat shot attempts, Mo to provide the shooting to break apart zones and rack up assists for Stevie, Rashard providing all the intangibles, especially rebounding and defense at the three position (not to mention long-range capabilities), Cuttino coming up with huge games where he absolutely explodes (plus a guy who isn't hesitant in the clutch), and the Franchise, who could easily average 22 and 10 with that supporting cast. Of course, we'd need extravagant luck and a few ping pong balls to bounce our way, but imagine that lineup and bringing Eddie off the bench. And the entire country of China would be rooting for us to win the Championship.
Finalsbound: That lineup would indeed be potent. However, I'm hoping you left out Eddie as the sixth man picking up significant minutes as SF and PF backup. Or do you plan to trade Eddie for Rashard? IMO, that would be a mistake. So, what are your plans for Eddie?
why do we have to draft williams and then trade him. couldn't we just trade the pick and let them take williams or whoever. i think the lotto drawing is actually may 19th and i'm not sure but 67 days sounds about right for the actual draft. as much as i want help for next year the prospect of having woods/butler/someone else awesome and knowing they could be unbelievably good and also around for a long time just seems to much to pass up. i'd rather chance the playoffs next years and have the potential star in waiting than ensure the playoffs but have a lower ceiling. of course people who's jobs are on the line may feel differently and i don't blame them.
Why doesn't anyone talk about keeping Williams? I think the ability for this team to run a backcourt trio of Williams/Francis/Mobley totally rocks! Most of us doubt that Collier and Langhi won't be back, WIllis and Walt might not be around too. So we could draft another 3/4 or 5. With the spare pocket change, sign on a free agent vetren, shift guys around. then: PG: Jason Williams / Moochie SG: Steve Francis / Cuttino I think both guys should be able to share the playmaking role, but Williams would be better. SF: Cuttino / Glen Rice / TMo PF: Taylor / Griffin C: Cato / Draft pick Cato or which ever 5 we draft could start, unless Cato plays like he did in the later part of the season. Maybe he could lead the league in rebounds like he said a couple years ago.
Exactly what I was thinking. Trade down for a couple other picks or another high pick and another player.
