I dont even know if this, topic will last.....but had no clue where else to put it. I think the Rockets should keep Cato till next year, because of the way he is playing right now, especially this month. He is no offensive threat or anything but, he is a damm good rebounder he is a perfect back up center for the rockets, but there are teams out in the league right now that would not mind him starting for their team (if he keeps playing the way he is). Rockets should either wait till mid season or till next year, put him out in the market and see what kind of teams are intrested in him and what they can give out to the rockets. The team that I have in mind is the Miami Heat, if Mourning comes back next season, Cato can back him up, or slip into Powerforward position and that will free up Grant for the rockets. Another team could be the Magic, their are a whole bunch of Eastern Conference teams that are in need of a decent center, and I dont think the Rockets would mind getting a guard or a good perimeter shooter out of the east. Just a thought................wanted to see if this was a good idea or a bunch or cra*p.
This is the perfect place for the post. Welcome. I don't try to get involved in many of the trade threads, but all I can say is Cato is the perfect backup for our team, especially if he can stay out of foul trouble. I'd almost not want to trade the guy based on how he's been playing this season.
If Cato is traded, Rox should package him together with Mo. Taylor just to dump the salary. With the saved money, Rox can get a Dale Davis -type of PF that can play the backup center as well as the backup PF position which would be perfect. Cato can not play PF, Mo. Taylor can not play center. Think about it, if we can package these two in exchange of Tyrone Hill, that would be great. Cato is 5mil/yr, Taylor is 7mil/yr. On the free agent market, 4.5mil/yr can get your a Keon Clark. I would say Keon Clark is better than both Cato and Taylor. So just dumping the salary would be worthwhile to do. The saved money can get you good players that cost less money.
Actually, ever since Yao's arrival, Kelvin Cato's play has improved. So much so that now it seems that the deadweight on Houston's roster does not include Cato anymore, but Maurice Taylor and Glen Rice. Yes, Cato has a huge contract, and probably should be had for less. But the man can rebound and block shots, something Taylor can't seem to do, inspite of playing about 20-plus games. Don't dump Cato.
I wish Rudy would put Cato and Yao on the floor together. Cato would not be a spacing problem, he plays on the right side, and usually scores by rolling to the hole.... Cato and Yao would be a great big man combo, and you could protect on or the other if they are in foul trouble. DaDakota
Mo's contract is just so huge that it is going to be difficult to trade him. I am pretty sure the Rox would like to trade Mo instead of KT, but the contract prehibits it. If we have to give away Cato in order to trade Mo, I say go ahead do it. The NBA market is different now from 3 or 4 years ago with the luxury tax and salary caps. I think you can get very good role players for 3 or 4mil/yr. The Nets only paid less than 3 mil/yr for Rodney Rogers. Keon Clark got the mid-level exception for 4.5mil. If not for the Kings wanting to win a championship, he might not even be able to get 4.5 mil/yr.
The problem of playing Cato as a PF is that it will make both EG and Mo unhappy. Plus we do not know if Cato is quick enough to play the PF position. If Mo is on the IL, Rox might give it a try to see if it works. Just hope Rox can trade away Mo and bring in a veteran PF. Rice should be gone after next season.
since he's had the pressure of being the starting centre removed from him, cato has been playing steller bball. he's become a rebounding machine. he's averaging a rebound every 2-3 minutes. that's an amazing turnaround! he now gets more rebounds in a game than last year in 1/2 to 2/3 the minutes. he might actually be in the running for a "most improved player" nomination this year, though that award belongs to artest. at 6mil per he isn't the most overpriced/underperforming centre anymore. the cato hating/trade threads have all but stopped this season. the few threads that do mention a trade involving him now list him as an asset, rather than someone we want to dump on some poor unsuspecting team (that role has been taken over by mo t)
Cato's been great but... At 7+ mill. over the next 4 years, he's not worth it because: 1) Backups shouldn't make that type of money. A veteran center can be picked up for half that. 2) Yao's minutes will increase to a consistent 35mpg by next year, making Cato's role less significant. 3) Free up cash for Ming, Griff, Boki, Mobley. Cato's contract ends those guys come up for new ones. Hey, if Cato is this good 4 years from now, let's resign him...but for half the price
Cato has been under-utilized. Yes...I'd like to see him get some PF minutes. If defenders cheat off of him, we can run the alley-oop play he loves. Also, I'd like to point out Cato's transformation came in the middle of last season. The way he played at the end of last season is the way he's playing now. Most people think his improved play started this season.
Who would of ever thought that we would be talking positive about Cato and in the same breath w/ Ming? I have been very impressed w/ his play. I agree w/ you Dakota. They need to be playing together and crashing those boards. That interior defense would definitely help out the team. Also w/ Ming handling that low post, Cato can crash the boards after the misses..
harumph, To hell with the Cato thread (yeah, we should try him at PF). Those quotes from the "world of cricket" are priceless. LOL, big time.
Don't dump Cato!!! But at least, cut his salary in half. If he wants to stay, he should receive less pay. We have to save enough money to pay for Yao's big contract after four years. He has been playing great!!! Leading the National Basketball Association in rebounding per 48 minutes. That's pretty good. That's all he is good at. And he's good at it. He's good at dunking too. ANYWAYS...we should try putting him with Yao at least once. We could have both of them defend Shaq.
Is this even possible can a player ask for a pay cut/ or can a player take some money out of his contract and offer it to another player so that he can join the rockets. Because i remember a while back in baseball when the "lockout drama" was taking place A-Rod said that he would take a pay cut if it would make the team better and happy. So are pay cuts even leagal in NBA. And Cato has become a great rebounder, I was watching the game today and Worrel was saying that the Cato is leading the league in Rebounds/per 48 minutes catagoery. A good lineup for Rudy. T would be: (if Griffin can hit his outside jumpers) Francis Mobley Griffin Cato Yoa just a thought PEACE OUT
really the reason players sign contracts are because they are guaranteed money for the duration of the contract. so unless cato is willing to rework his contract and accept less pay, there is no way for the rockets to pay him only a portion of the money owed. the only person that gave up money recently was shawn kemp, i believed he gave up around 25 million in order to become a free agent and sign with the magic for the veteran's exception. that's why players love guaranteed contract, they know they'll get paid regardless of performance.
