Look, I don't disagree that Mobley isn't the best compliment to a good big man, but the whole clique notion is absurd. The problem isn't personalities, its game, we need a spot up shooter to compliment Yao, it has nothing to do with cliques on the team.
Deuce, I would love to look at a PF/C with the MLE after something like that, but as MManal indicated, we're pretty close to the luxury tax. MManal, Are we really that close to the tax? Well, looking at our contracts, we have these long-term ones (assuming we make the trade): MoT Cato Anderson Bagaric (2 years from whenw e get him) Francis Yao Griff I guess there could be another deal where we package Griff with either MoT or Cato, and recieve a hard-nosed banger PF, with some scoring ability. If the situation in LA (Clippers) is as bad as it has been recently, it MAY BE enough to lure Brand here, assuming there's no way he'll re-sign with them after one year, and he and Falk are determined to bring him to Houston. I'm thinking, under that scenario we are AT or above the luxury tax limit, but would Les be opposed to it given this team?: Ming/acquired player Brand/Acquired player Boki/T-Mo/Anderson Anderson/Francis Francis/McInnis I mean, that's tops. If you're going to pay luxury tax, then here's the #1 reason to do it, right? Or we can just package Griff with MoT or Cato for a smaller contract, and help our tax situation. I'm definitely assuming we let Posey walk.
Mmanal, Thanks for the analysis on how we can get Odom. Yeah, it seems the only way to get Odom is to HOPE that the Clippers see the writing on the wall with losing talent. Kandi is gone this year. No question. And since the Clippers do not seem intent on keeping the team intact Brand's agent has requested that Brand sign the 1 year tender offer and then leave. You have to believe that the Clippers will see this coming THIS summer. But they are the clippers, who knows? Mobley's bargin basement deal of a contact certainly would be something the Clippers would be interested in especialy if they lose Maggette this summer as expected. But like it was suggested above, the Clippers love Odom. On the other hand, they were about to trade Odom for Andre Miller until Clippers picked Wilcox and not Caron Butler and screwed up the original trade on draft day. So that makes me think that Odom can be had in certain circumstances. Odom certainly would add a different dimention to this team. Chris
Last year at draft time, the notion that we can get Odom and Yao was laughable. And that was back when had the #15 pick and Kenny Thomas to trade. Kenny is gone to match with Mobley in a trade; we have no picks...what am I missing. What has happened that makes it possible to still end up with Odom and Yao. What has happened that makes it possible to presumably trade Mobley straight up for Odom?
I see Les paying the Luxary tax only if we get a player to take this team over the top such as an Elton Brand. Somehow in this situation we would have to dump Moochie's contract. Cato has a pretty hefty contract as well. For that position (backup center / PF) we could probably get someone cheaper which was what I was talking about with the MLE in Brown and Campbell.
pgabriel:- Who do you think you are to tell another Member to shut up!! For a poster who has no Birthday, Location, Interests or Occupation you have no idea what you are talking about! I have been a Rockets fan and analysist for 22 years. My suggestion is only backing up the fact that the Rockets are going to develop arround Yao Ming, rather than the way of the last four years, as a Guard Oriented Team. Most Fans and General Public are following and supporting the Rockets this season because they have Yao Ming. As a Guard oriented team for the last four years we havn't acheived anything. One can be a fan of Yao Ming and a Rockets fan at the same time, I hope you realise this fact and that please be relaxed, as we are only entertaining ouselves by posting on this Forum. I am this way because I prefer the Center dominated game. Moses, Ralph, Hakeem and Yao Ming.
I think the next weakest link is SG. C- Yao Ming (developing) PF - Griffin (developing) SF - Boki (developing) SG - Mobley (developing, but not complimentary to team) PG - Francis (developing, may be more effective with another PG)
I am only packaging Griffin if in return I am getting someone such as an Elton Brand. Which I believe you are mentioning here. We can't give up on Griffin for short term success. The only way we trade him is if we get someone back we know will be a stud for us for a number of years. Cato is the best commodity we have to move since for "centers" his salary is average and he is having the best year of his career. He could certainly help someone, especially a team in the East. Chris
when you mention things like clique you are being very negative, it has nothing to do with developing around Yao, its taking unwarranted shots at our guards, who have been passing the ball a lot to Yao lately.
"Are we really that close to the tax?" The payroll for next season is 51.6 mil WITHOUT re-signing any FAs ie Posey, Collier, T-Mo, Hawkins, Maddox. The following year, it would drop to about 43.2 mil if Rice is let go. This basically means, that if you take Rice's 10 mil and replace it with 10 mil of contracts, the payroll jumps to 53 mil in the 2004-2005 season due to salary escalations and such. The luxury tax is projected in the low to mid 50s from what I understand. Pretty soon after that, Eddie Griffin will require a new contract which will push the team even further up in payroll. Thus, in order to acquire a salaried player(s) in place of Rice, the Rockets would have to somehow dump Cato or Taylor for shorter contracts if they want to avoid the luxury tax.
Heyp. I think Mobley has become more vunerable Because of the rapid deveopment of Yao Ming. It looks , from all reports that he is a year ahead of what was expected. With the Game going towards the development of the Big Man, Mobley seems to be one of our most important role players, but is showing resistance to going along with the new direction. The reason /answer is up for grabs, but it has caused him to loose face with many fans.
I dont know the salaries so bear with me. This summer Brand, Odom, and Maggette are all FAs and Kandi is gone right? If we offered Cato+filler for Odom+filler does anyone think they would accept? It has been said before that Ming will be logging big minutes next season and Griffin/MoT are holding down the 4. EG is only going to get better and Cato doesn't get mins at the 4 for some reason so it is easy to see why Cato might be gone. LAC would likely want Mobes as part of any deal for Lamar, but Mobley is one of the reasons Lamar would want to play here and he and Francis are our backcourt. On LA's end they are losing Kandi and will have Brand for one season and he's gone. Without Odom they can sign Brand and Maggette and have $ left to get a PG or let Jaric start. Cato has a big contract, but how many 7' guys are there that aren't stiffs? Jaric/Dooling Richardson/Piatkowski Maggette/draft pick Brand/Wilcox Cato/Ely
Good points Deuce, and I can see a deal like Cato for Kukoc following my initial trade. Kukoc has one more year left on his contract, we can either buy him out, or play him for a few minutes a game since our SF rotation is slightly young. It also gives Milwaukee one of the better C's in the East. Since they have Desmond Mason, Micheal Redd, and Tim Thomas, I'm assuming Kukoc would be relatively expendeable. So overall, here's OUR change through my proposed trades: Swap Mobley, Rice and Collier for Derek Anderson, Jeff Mcinnis and Dalibor Bagaric. Then trade Cato for Kukoc, which would ease luxury tax worries. End result: Ming/FA signing (Minimum contract) Griffin/MoT/T-Mo Kukoc/Boki/T-Mo (starting Kukoc only for experience) Derek Anderson/Steve Francis Steve Francis/Jeff McInnis IR: Moochie, Maddox, Bagaric Assuming we see ANY AMOUNT of improvement from Ming, Griffin, and T-Mo, this team can be a 4th or 5th seed. We also improve our cap situation, because Kukoc's contract expires, leaving us with only one, or arguably 2, more bad contract(s): Mooch and MoT. Thoughts on the final product mentioned?
Ugh, here I saw more griffin fans than Yao fans. I just dont understand why so many long time Rox fans believe EG will develop to something. Do you guys see any major improvement Eddie Griffin made this year? Through like 52 games, nothing. I even dont care how EG is ineligible for starting PF position right now, I just want to see explicit improvement. Until now, I can't say I saw anything. So based on what, you guys can say he could make a major difference in next year or the next next year? I can't tell what he looks like when he is 25 (that is 5 years away), but I am sure he won't be our quality starting PF in the next two years. I wish we can bring a tough PF and give EG more time to develop, but Mo T 's contract.
MManal, Would that final adjustment (Cato for Kukoc) be enough to ease our luxury tax worries? We will surely drop Hawkins, Collier, Maddox and Posey assuming these deals materialize. Meaning, throw in a couple of million for T-Mo, are we safe?
I dont see us trading Rice at all. I think he's here for next year and then we'll let his salary come off the books so we can re-sign EG and have more room considering Steve's pay raise. Brand will most likely be a FA after next season so maybe we make a run at him with Rice's $?
I love Odom's court vision and feel for the flow of the game. Guy has an awareness, a sixth sense, that's Ming-like. I'd love to see them together. I'd seriously explore any trade possibility. No telling how their contracts shake out, and what they need.
We could hope that the Spurs take Jason Kidd and are willing to let go of Tony Parker. Parker for TMo and a 2nd rounder? Even if it means not having a draft pick this year, It'd be well worth it assuming Kidd would land in San Antonio. Parker is probably the best young true point guard out there. I consider Francis/Marbury, etc Shooting guards, trapped in PG bodies........... Anyways...would this fly with the Rockets?
Posey sucks. Now that we have traded for him and seen his reckless style of play and zero outside shooting up close I would rather let him walk for nothing than resign him.
