Do you throw away the first-round pick for Payton?

Another reason not to deal for Payton, what guarantee do we have he won't pull a JJ and decide not to report, he already pulled the retirement act when Boston got him from LA and he might do it with the Rox. We are too close to the trade deadline to be having our chain yanked on a critical trade that has to be made. Payton out of all the possibilities, represents to me the worst choice in terms of chemistry.

 

I wouldn't trade a 1st rounder even if it turns out to be a player who doesn't play for a 2 month rental unless we see that this rental has a good chance of getting us to the promise land. Payton would keep our playoff hopes alive but I don't see him replacing everything Sura brings to the table and taking us home. The good news is that without Sura, our pick does get better.

I would give them a couple of #2 though...

 

If he can't do it, no one can!

 

Jaric is the most intriguing option on the list IMO. His game is more similar to Sura's than any other. Great floor leader, rebounder, passer, not a greast shot, but adequate. Unfortunately he's likely to be out for the remainder of the season with a foot fracture.

 

Personally I think we ought to just stay the course with what we have. Ever since I joined this board there have numerous threads complaining about the knee jerk signings of players and we are finally in a great position with cap room clearing up over the next year or so and we want to rush out and trade away a draft pick for a washed up glove? I know people are freaking out over Bob Sura's injury but I will bet you money the Andre Barrett gets a lot more playing time over the next few games. He had pretty good assist #s last night, snagged a few rebounds and limited his turnovers and even threw in a few steals. You really can't ask much more from our PG at this time. Its time for Yao and T-Mac to step up and carry us to the playoffs...

 

I have to say I'm somewhat surprised at the lack of love for Cassell here. I'm not sure how much of a "discontent" he would be coming back here to play for the Rox.

I don't think I would give up my pick 1st rounder for Payton, but I would seriously consider the notion for getting Sam I Am. The guy's a proven winner and a proven winner leader. I think there's the possibility of great excitement surrounding this team with the acquisition of Cassell ... Rejuvenated credibility and confidence even in the face of Bobby Sura's injuries.

We could rest easy knowing we'll be armed with one of the most clutch performers (let alone pg's) in the game for years. Sam is a gamer ... just like Sura, just like Jon B., just like Wesley, just like Deke. He'd be an awesome fit for our squad. Just imagine the PNR options, the mid range jumper, the pay-for-leaving-me-open trey, the penetration in the lane, the threat on the break.

If we can keep our pick, please do. But I'd be enthusiastically entertaining any number of ways of bringing Sam Cassell back to Houston.

 

Let's look at the caliber of player we would be giving up for Payton. Here are the draft picks from 20-30 in the last two drafts.

2004
20. Jameer Nelson
21. Pavel Podkolzine
22. Viktor Khryapa'
23. Sergei monia
24. Delonte West
25. Tony Allen
26. Kevin Martin
27. Sasha Vujacic
28. Beno udrih
29. Minnesota forfeits
30. David Harrison

2003
20. Dahntay Jones
21. Boris Diaw
22. Zoran Planinic
23. Travis Outlaw
24. Brian Cook
25. Carlos Delfino
26. Ndudi Ebi
27. Kendrick Perkins
28. Leandrinho Barbosa
29. Josh Howard


Now, what are the odds that this pick is going to do anything for this team in the future. I say, slim to none.

Trade the pick for GP. I'm having way to much fun this year to watch Strickland turn this team into a loser.

 

I really like this kid. He is a great defender, quick & long-armed.

 

And you mean to tell me these guys aren't good prospects??????

You have to think in long run and the truth is, any of those teams would rather have their pick then to trade it away for a washed up Gary Payton, 1/2 season rental.

 

I like Josh Howard too, but look at the odds that the player will contribute to the team.

 

Payton is putting up 12 pts on .455% shooting, and 6 asts per game. I don't consider that done.

 

I'll rather have Cassel than Payton for our first rounder.

 

How about first pick and Mo T for payton?

 

I'd prefer Stoudamire; he's playing very well this year, is 31 (which is "young" compared to the other PGs we've been talking about), and the total # of potheads would stay the same if we trade Taylor for him. He is shooting 40% threes, leads the league in FT%, and has a 5.5/1.8 assists/TO ratio, which is OK.

 

I agree. On a yearly basis, the odds are against any draft pick outside the first 10 picks or so turning into much - hell even for lottery picks it is still not a sure thing (as we painfully learned with respect to Griffin).

However you can make this argument any given year and in so doing trade away your first round pick for any number of consecutive years on that basis. Eventually it takes its toll and you are stuck with scrounging for scrap heap veterans, like we are. I don't mind trading a late rounder every now and then if it means missing out on a Reece Gaines, but for every 2 or 3 reece Gaines you're going to draft a Kenny Thomas or Sam Cassell - it's not THAT hard to get a good player.

For example, just looking at this list, I can name 3-4 players on it in each year I would have for 3 years over Payton for 3 months: J.Howard, maybe Diaw and Plananic, Carlos Delfino, Tony Allen, Udrih, Martin, Nelson, etc.

 

Just in case you're calculating the assists-to-turnovers-to-birthday candles
quotient --


Gary Payton - 36 y/o
Sam Cassell -35 y/o
Nick Van Exel - 33 y/o
Eric Snow - 31 y/o
Damon Stoudemire - 31 y/o
Derek Anderson - 30 y/o
Derek Fisher - 30 y/o
Mike James - 29 y/o
Troy Hudson - 28 y/o
Rafer Alston - 26 y/o

 

I say we trade our 1st rounder J-Ho, Ward, and Weatherspoon for Gary Payton and Raef Lafrentz. We would then make a run at the title with this lineup.

Ming/Mutombo/Lafrentz
Lafrentz/Padgett/Mo T
Mcgrady/Bowen
Wesley/Barry
Sura/Payton/Barrett

Payton adds much needed playoff experience and lafrentz adds shot blocking and an outside touch.

 

only 24 hours left to do something...

 

No way! Physically he can still play the game, but last year he proved that even being on a championship contender, his only concern is with playing *his* way and getting the touches and shots he wants. No way we need that.

 

We have to do something before the tradeline to take care of the PG issue

Without Sura we're gonna be the team at the beginning of the season and thats not gonna do anything for us

If we get Sura back by playoff time we should be able to take care of hte Sonics but thats only if we stick to the 6th seed without Sura we're gonna fall and fall fast