[ESPN] Sources: Aldridge to start free agency with Lakers, Rockets

The Rockets sending only half of their brain trust to LA..... no Olajuwon or Harden..... maybe we can peel Steve Francis off the Toyota Center floor and send him to "meet and sell" Aldridge on the benefits of Houston. I am sure Francis would do it for a Rockets tote bag and one of those hot dog pizzas from Pizza Hut.

 

LMA would really be nice. But boy would that be pretty ****ty to ship Ariza out after the first year of a new contract signed with the Rockets, AGAIN.

 

I don't think LMA is coming to Houston, but I don't think SA nor LA have significantly better chances at luring him. They have the same obstacles that Houston had as far as clearing space and building a contender. It's skewed one way or another depending on the respective team.

LA will have a lot of cap room after one more year, but they still have to build. We have to assume that they will recruit the right star FAs and actually land them with their cap space.

SA has to clear space right now to offer the max to LMA. To me, SA is the perfect fit for LMA if Popovich coaches there. If not, we have to assume that the assistants can replicate Pop's success in addition to the assumption that they can clear cap space. The aging roster is also a factor. Kawahi would be a nice partner in crime.

HOU has to clear cap space, like SA, in order to offer LMA the max. Houston has the two max players that the LAL can get in a year already in place. Houston is close enough to home. The assumption in Houston is that LMA likes what we are doing here as far as style of play. He would be the go-to in a half court set, regulating Harden ISOs to bail-out only plays.

Like I said, not saying that HOU will get LMA, but the notion that we have a significantly lesser chance of landing him than SA or LA is far fetched IMO. I believe that he will be in LA, though. Unless SA and HOU do in fact have plans for max cap room ready, he will be LA.

 

Only difference is this time I would feel bad for Ariza.
Also we did the same thing to AB for the fast several seasons lol.

 

At this point, agents know the score when they negotiate with Morey. I don't like seeing players treated like assets, but they (and their agents) are just as ruthless. It's tough, but Ariza wakes up rich every morning, so I save my pity for more deserving people.

 

:grin:

No Harden, no McHale, no Hakeem...

Morey and his fast food order?

It's not happening. Hope they don't waste too much time.

 

I agree from a total basketball perspective....but these players aren't robots. LMA has a child in SA and currently lives in LA. He's much more likely to choose those cities. Winning is great...but being comfortable in the city you are living in is another major aspect to consider. That's where Houston falters compared to the other cities.

 

it's a power move by morey. he's not bringing anyone to woo LMA because he's gunna convince LMA we don't need him, making LMA want us more.

it's all mind games with morey

 

for some reason, i've never felt excited about getting lma. in b/w him and kevin love, i'd rather have love if i get to choose one.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pop on courting free agents: &quot;I’m not calling anyone at midnight. I’ll be in bed. And if that’s the difference, then I don’t want them&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash">#NBA</a></p>&mdash; Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) <a href="https://twitter.com/dchinellato/status/615846511591555072">June 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Spoiler

 

Yes, Morey will drive up with Sonic cheese dogs for Aldridge and the Lakers officials.... no I-PAD this time.

 

which pop is this? pop the great coach of the spurs, aka pop the grumpy?

 

Pop is awesome

 

So basically just Morey and Dwight?

 

I think he is going to end up with the Lakers.

 

Didn't realize he had a kid in SA - I can totally see your point there. LA is LA, and SA is also really good and closer to "home".

 

Well there are reports that McHale is in Spain chasing Llull and I have heard nothing about Harden being in LA to meet Aldridge.

That leaves Morey and Howard.....and Sonic cheese dogs and tots to sell the Rockets to Aldridge.....

I can see it now... Morey shows up, the Lakers brass already present, Morey has a Hawaiian shirt on, gut sticking out.... He has three soggy bags of SONIC in his hands at the door....... Howard is on his phone fighting with one of his baby mama's.

Morey tries to start talking to Aldridge when the Lakers brass start eating the Sonic cheese dogs.

 

By the way, is there anything besides the McRib that makes you throw up in your mouth more than the Hot Dog Pizza?

 

Quit throwing your dough in the air and make your own damn pizza!


;-)-