[ESPN.COM] Rockets expected to persue Nick Van Exel

Yeh and a week ago DS would come here for the LLE. Payton maybe, what did he sign for in LA? Spree doubtful. Wasnt it just last year that Spree said he couldnt feed his family with the multi million dollar contract he had? What makes everyone here think these players are going to take minimum from us when other teams have more money? Can you say pipe dream?

 

package up james and wesley in a multi-team deal, where we land DA and a dermarr johnson, sign NVE with the LLE, resign mutombo, waive baker, and call it an offseason.

 

Please not "Nick the no longer Quick," I wouldn't mind D. A., though.

 

I would. His knees are just about completely shot.

 

I'd take either of them for the LLE for a year or two. I think Van Exel would be more likely to take that in Houston though. Either guy would add depth and give us insurance in case of injury or if we do trade Wesley or James.

 

NVE can't guard anyone!
Can't contain Wade or JWil or Parker! I'm serious.

 

DA is neither young nor athletic. the guy is 31 and has played in a total of 98 games the last 2 seasons because of knee problems. i'm kind of wary about signing this guy right off the bat -- although getting him for LLE doesn't sound all too bad, i think the hole at PG is a bigger problem than the need for a starting SG.

 

I wouldnt mind DA as he can guard some of the bigger twos in the league.

NVE is redundant to MJames, DWes short guards with a nice shot.

J

 

Because none of the teams with money will be throwing it away on Sprewell? He'll find this offseason -- if he doesn't already realize it -- that the market will not bear his asking price. I can see a team perhaps giving him part of their MLE. His market price isn't super high.

 

Agreed. MJ is a far better defender than NVE.

 

I agree too, but NVE IS better than Ward. If NVE will take the vet min we can cut Ward and not raise our salary cap or owe any more lux tax. I'd explore it, what is there to lose?

 

NVE and DA are done. These are the guys we were watching like 10 years ago! Can we stop thinking about all these old people. We have our own we need to get rid of. Don't get me wrong, if we could trade some of our old players for a better old player, I could handle that. We are just adding more, except for Head and Swift. I would rather gamble on a younger player that could at least keep up with Parker, Kobe, etc. I know the younger players will not have as much experience as some of these old guys ,but at least they won't get winded and just watch thier guy speed past them on D.

 

I'm inclined to agree- please no busted-up oldtimers. We have our share of them. Why not pick up Shawn Kemp while we are at it with NVE?

 

well when i spoke with nick at the fonde a few weeks ago he clearly stated to me that houston is his number one choice and that he will have discussions with the rockets.

 

Dang, I said howdydoo to Ex yesterday, he was at the golf course (not Royal Oaks) playing with a friend of mine. I told my friend he shouldn't gamble with people who make 7 figure salaries cause they don't feel any pressure about losing. Now Ex is just another unemployed guy.

 

I don't see the harm in bringing him in for the minimum. Maybe he could help us out this year if one of our guards go down.

I'd rather the LLE go to a player that can help out longer than a year or two, but if all the options run out I wouldn't mind the rox giving him a short term deal with that either.

 

haahahahhaaahahahaahahahahahahahahahah

lmao

 

I think NVE would be a good pickup for vet minimum. He would be good for those situations at the end of the game where we need a three pointer. This would be our end of game lineup:

Yao
T-Mac
NVE
Mike James
Barry (if we resign him)

Of course, we try to get the ball to T-Mac, but if he is guarded James, Barry, and NVE can all hit clutch shots in the 4th quarter.

 

I so agree. Please Rockets stay away from the old guys. Not one of the "retreads" that JVG brought in added much of anything to the team (except Deke).

 

I think it's up to JVG and CD. just how bad do they want another point guard. If acquiring a point guard is at the top of their to-do-list and they have given up on the idea of trading for one then Nick Van Exel is the best option out there. 33 is not young but it is not old either. Nicky V can still get it done if motivated and players being motivated under jvg and while playing with Yao and Tracy is not a problem. Nick Van Exel has made it clear he wants to play here first and for him to say that he has to be aware of what the Rockets are limited in offering him so he seems cool with that. So the ball is really in the Rockets court and if acquiring another point guard is what they want to do then Nick Van Exel will be a Houston Rocket.