http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft...umnist=ford_chad&page=Orlandocampnotes-080528 Everyone is buzzing about point guards. Yes, Derrick Rose, Bayless and O.J. Mayo are a big part of the conversation. But two veteran point guards were also the topic of discussion: Kirk Hinrich and T.J. Ford. With most executives convinced that the Bulls will draft Rose, they are already waiting for Hinrich to pack his bags. Hinrich is coming off his worst year as a pro, averaging just 11.5 points on 41 percent shooting. Unfortunately for the Bulls, he's also just starting a big contract. Hinrich still has four years and $37.5 million left on his deal. The good news is that Hinrich's contract number actually goes down each year. Next year he's due $10.2 million. By 2011, he's only due $8.25 million. Despite his poor numbers and big contract, a number of executives I spoke with on Tuesday said they believed Hinrich will generate trade interest. "There is a need for good point guards and I think a lot of people think Hinrich just needs a change of scenery," one GM said. "I think the Bulls won't have a hard time moving him." Ford is the other guy generating some buzz. The Raptors have a logjam at the point and Jose Calderon is heading into restricted free agency. GM Bryan Colangelo was firm Tuesday telling Insider, "I'm going to sign Calderon. Whatever it costs, I'm going to sign him." However, there was some tension on the Raptors between Calderon and Ford. If the Raptors are dead-set on bringing back Calderon … could Ford be the guy on the move? Colangelo declined to elaborate, saying he likes having both point guards … but a source close to the situation said the Raptors are open to moving Ford and he's generated interest from several teams. Ford, when healthy, has been excellent for the Raptors, but there are concerns about his spinal condition. A source told Insider on Tuesday evening that Ford's health hasn't been a major issue. He's essentially as healthy today as he was when he was drafted. While his condition does pose a real risk to his long-term health, his contract is fully insured -- protecting a team that drafts him from taking a huge financial hit if he were to go down. Ford has a more reasonable contract than Hinrich. He has three years and $25.8 million left on his deal. He's also younger (25) and statistically, he had his best player efficiency rating of his career last year: an impressive 20.37. A number of teams will be looking for point guards this summer, including the Heat, Pacers, Kings, Blazers, Cavs, Nuggets, Magic and Rockets.
oh god no not T J Ford... that guy shoots worse than rafer if thats humanly possible. We have a younger, less cancerous version in Aaron Brooks already... SAY NO TO FORD!
i wouldn't mind having either one on our team, but i'm of the opinion that a PG is not our number one concern. we need an athletic swing man with size who can create his own shot and take it to the basket with regularity. rafer is an adequate PG, anyone who disagrees did not watch the last 1/2 of the season.
Just says the Rockets are one of a number of teams that will be looking for point guards this summer, which we can all hope is true. If the Rockets used Aaron Brooks as trade bait in any package talks, they could probably get involved in Ford talks and maybe Hinrich if they wanted. Brooks would probably be ideal for the Raptors.
have you even paid attention to his stats? his fg% has gone up every year that he has been in the league. he shot 47% last year.
Agreed that Brooks would probably be a fit in Toronto given their style of play. I love TJ and would love to see him in Houston. He may not be a good shooter, but he penetrates the D and finds guys wide open for easy shots. If he were a bit bigger the guy would be mentioned among the best PGs in the game. If his contract is insured against the spine injury he would be an excellent pick up. I am curious as to how he would fit into Adelma's offense though. TJ needs the ball in his hands to be most effective.
Exactly. Ford has proven he can play in this league. I'd give up Brooks to get him. Better yet, lets send Skip back to Toronto.
I would be happy with either Calderon or Ford, both are MILES better than Rafer. And whomever said Ford is as bad a shooter as Rafer needs to look at their stats. DD
if toronto is willing to give him up for pennies on the dollar due to his significant injury concerns then i would be elated. ....but if somehow we can bait and switch and put calderon in there instead of ford then :::robbie380 faints:::
Not another under 6 guy on the team. TJ's an injury risk that we shouldn't take on and we know they won't take Rafer. Sam Mitchell and Rafer were fighting when he played with Toronto.
Nah, he's just going off of his freshman year stats at UT. Ford is a playmaker...when healthy. He's one of the faster pg's in the league. It would be good for Brooks to work with him to better learn how to use his speed. I hope the Rockets do make a run at him.
I don't get the fully insured part of the contract. Will it still be counted in the cap but the club will not need to pay for it?
The money for his contract can be protected by insurance, but the cap space is not insured. We can't afford to take on another dimunitive guard with injury concerns for 8-10M in cap space. He is not that significant an upgrade over Alston. We would be much better off waiting on Brooks to develop, who has a better outside shot than TJ. This team sorely needs a backup Swingman and backup center to spell T-Mac and Yao. Another point guard is not a glaring need, especially for a big part of the cap.
disagree howbout a pg who can create his own shot and take it to the basket with regularity wrong, anyone who disgrees watched the playoffs
