I don't agree with this at all. Brooks, Landry, and Scola are all truly untouchable. There is no right price, because all 3 of them together are the future of this franchise. Scola and Landry are a great 1-2 punch at PF, and if anything, their emergence makes Hayes expendable....not the other way around. Even then, it's a stretch. I love the dynamic we have at the PF spot. There are few teams that have the luxury of plugging in 3 ready-to-contribute guys at one position. The only guys we should LOOK to trade ASAP are James and Snyder. Nobody else can get us draft picks or cap relief like those 2. If we're looking for rotation players in return, then I think we're barking up the wrong tree with the combination of guys we have. There isn't a team out there right now that would give up rotation players for what we have.
The players that maybe traded should be: MJ, Snyder, Novak, Hayes, and Head. I don't know what that may get the Rockets but if they decide to make a move those are the only players I would want to be traded.
we need to keep hayes also..he shut down allot of big name power fowards in crunch time.He is not as bad as people make him out to be, so we should keep him.
There is no way those guys are untouchable. The "untouchable" label is reserved for franchise players, not for guys who might be all-stars one day. It is for the Yaos, Lebrons, Kobes, and Duncans of the world.
Must keep: Yao T-Mac (unless Kobe is offered) Scola Battier Brooks Landry Should not trade: Mutombo (out of loyalty) Novak (cheap with unique skill, good team guy) Francis (out of loyalty) Hayes (cheap, good guy, good defender, good price/performance ratio) Definitely tradable: Mike James Alston Head Wells Snyder
Here are some names being thrown around, I've edited some of the long winded stuff but you can source it from the following; http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_8098929: MARCUS THOMPSON II: NBA Market is stocked as NBA trade deadline approaches Contra Costa Times Article Launched: 01/28/2008 02:58:19 AM PST Power forward Chris Wilcox, who has one year left for $6.75 million, also could draw interest. Houston guard Mike James: The Rockets are paying James $5.6 million -- and on the hook for $6 million next season -- for 7.3 points in 17.8 minutes per game. A deep-pocket team in need of more scoring could take James off Houston's hands. Chicago small forward Andris Nocioni: There reportedly have been talks between New Jersey and Chicago involving Nocioni. Considered a vital part of the Chicago's core just months ago, when he signed a five-year deal worth $38 million, Nocioni is on the block because the Bulls now realize their core is flawed, and changes need to be made. Point guard Kirk Hinrich makes too much, and the Bulls want too much for sharpshooter Ben Gordon. So the most feasible trade commodities would be Nocioni, one of their young big man -- Tyrus Thomas or rookie Joakim Noah -- and intriguing young swingman Thabo Sefalosha. Milwaukee forward Charlie Villanueva: The impressive rookie season of Yi Jianlin means the Bucks can get rid of one of their many forwards. Bobby Simmons ($9.2 million this season; $20.4 for the two seasons after that) is way overpaid. Desmond Mason is injured and his production was on the decline even before he went on the shelf (averaging 8.0 points per game, his lowest since his rookie season). That leaves Villanueva, who at 6-foot-11, 232 pounds, is productive (9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds in 20.1 minutes) and inexpensive ($2.7 million this year, $3.4 million next year). Don't be surprised if the Warriors are interested. Snyder's name has also been mentioned as a player that a lot of teams are interested in. Now: Here are two trade scenerios that I like. Either would be a great way to upgrade our weakest position, without losing a starter. I've liked Wilcox since he was at Maryland. He's a bruiser who would bring something different to table than Scola. He would also take some heat off of Yao, like Thorpe did for Hakeem. I also think Villanueva would be a great addition too. He hustles, and bring the size needed at the power forward position. I'm tired of 6'8 power forwards, that every contending team can exploit. At 6'11 Villanueva could play center too. Instead of going small with Scola, we could go twin towers with Yao and Villanueva. T. Thomas is too much of a project too me. I would love to have Nocioni, but I think the price would be too high. Noah would be interesting. I didn't think much of him at Florida, but the kid has proven to be a gamer/winner. For either or these players, we can give up, M. James, or Snyder, or James and Snyder, or S. Franchise with either. I would do everything possible to keep our draft choice no matter what. It's possible we could land a 13-14th pick this year. Now calm down, this wouldn't bum me out because the offense this teams owner wanted, which is why he sought out RA, didn't have the players to run it properly. What trade scenerio works for you guys????
Rhay1, thats a real nice post. I like the thoughts, and there are two possibilities I can see: James + Hayes for Wilcox + Gelabale...With Collison and Thomas playing as well as they are, Wilcox becomes expandable and with Hayes the Sonics get a young stud defender. Additionally, there is a lot of talk of Earl Watson wanting out of there, if that happens then Mike James would be nice addition to their backcourt. Francis + Snyder + 1st rounder for Villanueva + Bell...I think this is a good deal from both ends. The Bucks get out of both contracts plus get a 1st round draft pick; and the rockets give up a pick for Villanueva and Bell. Considering we don't play either one of those guys, I don't consider this a loss. I could have put together something here for James as well if the Bucks would be interested, but I wanted to put a package together which the Bucks could realistically accept. Both of these trades worked on ESPN trade machine; flame away...
I don't think any of those trades would make the Rockets contenders. We need a big name point guard and a pure shooter. Yao can be all the inside game we need. We also have Scola and Landry developing nicely.
I'm not really seeing the chemistry gel on this team. So, the only players I see untradeable are Yao, Deke and Steve. Yao because he is the best center in the NBA, and that is irreplaceable, and he's a marketing value to the franchise, which the owner will never let go. Deke because of loyalty. Steve, because he signed for less to be here, and it just wouldn't be right, while he's injured. I don't think we could get much anyway, until everyone knows about his health. Snyder or James aren't playing, so if we can swap someone who fits better, package them with others, or save money on their salaries, let them go. TMac should only be traded if we get comparable true value based on when he's at the top of his game, not a desperate deal when he's just been injured. Besides, he finally has some talent around him, and if he can't take us deep into the playoffs this year, I think the experiment has failed. So, he probably won't be traded until at least this summer. But, if we get a comparable talent who is younger, you have to do the deal. But, who would that be? Battier shouldn't be traded, unless we go very young into rebuilding, or it's someone even better at defense and more athletic, like an Artest. But, Battier's character brings a lot of value to this team, and he shouldn't be traded carelessly, unless it brings us a better starter. Wells is a Spurs killer. His primary value will be in the playoffs, since he's very inconsistent during the year. I doubt they'll trade him, but if it was what was necessary to bring in a top level PG, like Kidd, I'd move him. I like the 3 rookies, but we can't over value our talent. If they bring us in a quality starter, you have to consider trading 1 or even 2 of them. But, I love having fresh talent on the bench, and trading chits. It gives you options. I've liked how Morey does his research and numbers, and feel more confident that I have in a long time, that he'll bring in the talent we need. This reminds me of when we traded for Mario, and I think thats the kind of player we need.
Perhaps Houston should trade for A centers----can replace Yao when Yao has rest. Hayes,Scolar,Ladry,can competed the PF Also a SG can offense inside could be better.
When TMac comes back, Alston's stats drops dramatically, actually everybody stats drops. Yes, TMac brings win, but for a 20M star, Rockets should do much better with him on the field. I was very depressing when watching the game vs Jazz, Boozer's smiling before the game fully showed his confidence for a victory, and the final result proved it. I am curious if we can trade TMAC plus Alston and Bonzi for Bibby and Artest in Kings?
LOL!! seriously though... trade KS or MJ all day. Hayes is not "trade bait" btw... you think Carl Landry has any hope of holding a guy like Tim Duncun for example? Not that the Chuck Wagon really does, but he's definitely better than Dirty Laundry on D.
I can't believe that people still blame Tmac for his teammates missing wide open shots, and/or because they stand around when he has the ball. And R. Alston of all people!! I don't remember where I read it, but the only team that finds Rafer valuable is Houston. In overall shooting, from various spots on the floor he ranks below every starting point guard in the NBA! Poor example if you want to blame our shooting on Tmac. Tmac has demonstrated time and again that if someone gets open, he will pass the ball to them. You've never seen Tmac pull a S. Franchise move of waving off a player who has fought for position down low. Or instructed everyone to move to one side as he takes someone 1 on 1. I was so excited when Tmac had his triple double, I just knew that the rest of the players would continue to hustle their asses off trying to get open. When you watch the Suns, Cavs, Warriors, Mavs, their players continue to try to get open. They run around multiple screens, when their man goes to double team the ball, they run to an open spot. How many times has Battier or Rafer stood in the corner and waited and watched for Tmac to do something, or watch three guys surround Yao and still try to throw the ball in to him? and we, no you get angry at Tmac or Yoa. Whew! Sorry.... but I digress. This link is about a good trade for us. What would we have to give up to acquire Jermaine O'Neal, Drew Gooden or Donyell Marshall? I believe O'Neal would have a monster season next to Yoa. He could also slide over to the middle to give him a breather, and teams wouldn't drive to the hole everytime. I'm even halfway interested in Darko M. at this point. Any of these guys would dramatically improve our chances. The draft is where we can fill our 2 guard spot. I'm telling you guys, we're not winning it all this year. I'm just being realistic. But that is no reason to go off the deep end and think the year is a waste. We're finding out who fits on this team. Steve and Mike have proven it's not easy to tell who will be a good fit. We can get a good draft pick this year. We need to keep it and use it wisely. Look at the Mavericks. Each year they've tinkered,and added depth with the draft. They have a good mix of young/veteran players. They haven't won it all yet, but each year they've gotten bumped out of the playoffs, they haven't yet said Nowitski had to get it done this year or else. If you haven't noticed, I like Tmac and Yoa, and think they deserve to remain together and bring a championship to Houston. Loyalty to Steve F. for taking less money an what, coming into camp fat and out of shape? Please....
