Spree would be an upgrade over Wesley and could be a nice addition. I just don't know how much he is going to cost. He turned down a 7M per year extension w/ the Wolves, how much does he expect to get this summer? For the money, I'd rather have Mobley.
What Spree WANTS and what the MARKET will bare will be completely different. NO ONE on the market will give Spree anything over 5M. I dont see it. He will have to come to that realization.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! One of the things I've always liked about the Rockets is that we've always had classy players. Thugs and egos are the reason I HATE teams like Indiana, Philadelphia, Lakers, etc..
I am against Sprewell under any conditions, might as well get Payton. They both WERE really good. But they both have always had BAD ATTITUDES. Please no more overthehill Knicks. Don't the Rockets have a quota of these types? The Rockets must get YOUNGER. Is Strickland coming back too?
I continue to be amazed by how many posters keep mentioning Mobely as a possible acquisition for this team Mobely will NEVER be in a Rockets uniform again, mark my words! If not for the fact that the Rockets don't have the money to pay him in the first place since they have to fulfill other more overriding needs, then for the fact that JVG would probably like to have a player with a higher IQ than a Mobely (besides Cat called out JVG a few times and said he is a "dictator" that he didn't like his style, etc.) All this should make you realize beyond a shadow of doubt that Cat will never be a Rocket again, save for may be the last few seasons of his career when he is in the late 30s looking to come back home to finish his career, and willing to play for the vet min. So please everyone, stop ranting about how you would take "Mobely over Spree", and use your brains instead of falling for wishful thinking and your emotional attachment to this guy, as if acquiring him was even a damn option
Spree has no game anymore. Watch him. In every respect, he's no where near the player Wesley is. He can get his own shot better than Wesley, but he dosen't make them very often anymore. No doubt right now, Wesley is a better basketball player than Spree at this point in there careers (defensively it's not even debatable).
We're not going to get Swift at the MLE. IMO, either Mobley or Swift at the MLE is a pipedream. The only thing that gives us an edge in getting either of them is if they pick Houston out of the crowd (like Mcgrady did). There are more quality SG's than their are quality PF's in free agency, so you'd have to believe that someone is going to overpay Swift, especially since he is a big man. Swift will probably have a lot more options than Mobley. Teams that have money to spend on a SG are going to spend it on the bigger names than Mobley...like Hughes and Joe Johnson. I wouldn't hate it if we got Sprewell at the right price. But if he gets more than a 2 year contract at a good market price he is going to hurt us later, as he is already declining. If we gave Mobley a 3 or 4 year contract, he will at least still help the team toward the end of his contract. But like I said, if Sprewell comes cheap and short term than I am all for it. But you've got to take a shot at Mobley if it's there.
I would lovew to respond to many of you, but it will take several pages. A couple of you said that Van Gundy is more of an expert than me, and you are right. However, Has Van Gundy said that he wants Spree? It is speculation! Van Gundy was not quoted as saying the this team needs Spree. Marc Sein has been wrong before. As for the S&T with Minnesota, this is quite funny. Play Minnesota owner or Kevin McHale for 10 minutes. Why would you sign Spree for 3.4 - 4 Million and trade him for Wesley. Would you accept that trade if you were Minnesota? Especially with Mobley on FA. Mobley will not get the major big bucks because of Redd, Allen, Hughes, Joe Johnson and other SG's getting the big bucks. I would pick up Cat for 6-7 Million over Wesley. Wally will probabally traded in the summer because Minnesota needs depth. Wally has been wanting either to start or to be traded since last season. Why would Minnesota want to help Houston. Would Spree accept a deal paying 3.4 - 4 Million this year and 3.7 - over 4 million in '96-'97. In a sign and trade the money has to match within 20%. Ohhh Yaaaaaa, I forgot about that one
The only way that I would like the deal if we make the trade (unlikely - see above), pick up a starting PG and defensive PF. If we can pick up a PG like Brevin or Antonio, we can move Sura to the 2. PG: Daniels or Knight SG: Sura SF: McGrady PF: Howard or PF (Draft or Swift "pipe dream") C: Yao You would have 3 ball handlers. Knight is #2 in Assists behind Nash. T-Mac and Knight gives you quickness. Sura is also pretty quick as a 2 when the knee is 90%. Looks guys, we acturally don't need Spree!!! I think Sports Center just went off. Maybe you can catch it tomorrow. Remember, the fantasy teams start in November. He He He!
Seriously, did any of you actually SEE Sprewell play last year? He was awful! He's no longer quick. He's no longer explosive. He's a streaky shooter. He doesn't rebound. He can no longer create his own shot. His +/- rating last year for the Wolves? -4.4 His percentage of shots that were jumpers? 83% His percentage of shots that he was assisted on? 66% His 3PT shooting %? .327 (By comparison, Wesley was -1.4 for us, 87% of his shots were jumpers, and he was assisted on 84% of his shots. The big advantage he had over Sprewell was his .383 3PT%) Spree's two monthes older than Wesley. The only thing that he brings to the table that David doesn't is 3 more inches of height, and a bad attitude. He's not nearly as adept at getting his shot, and his defense at this point in his career is nothing special.
Not that I necessarily want Sprewell, but you're really confused on a few issues. 1) The TWolves can let Spree walk but he has no upside cap impact to them at all for 2005-06. Without Spree, the TWolves are over the cap and have only 7 players with 2005-06 contracts. Plus, they must use all or part of their MLE to re-sign Griffin. IOW, a 1 year rent a player is not a bad option for them especially if it's attached to a future pick. 2) If the TWolves SnT with Houston and Wesley is the traded player, Latrell's contract must start within 85% (not 80% like you stated) of Wesley's $4.9m. If the Rox management thinks Sprewell is worth $4.2m for Yr 1 and 4.6m for Yr 2, I'll side with their opinion. 3) Mobley is a restricted FA. Unless the MLE in the new CBA rises dramatically, there is way no the TWolves can pay Mobley "6-7m". The only way Mobley gets more than MLE $ anywhere is a SnT by the Kings. 4) Trading Wally Z to make room for Mobley is easier in this thread than in reality. The TWolves are already paying Wally Z $46m over the next 4 years. Any trade for Wally must precede a SnT for Mobley otherwise you risk $17m in SG's. 5) In a SnT with SAC, MINN has no one in the $7m Mobley salary slot (and as mentioned MINN has only 7 contracts). Cassell + Hoiberg makes Mobley BYC. Nothing else is close value wise. But hey, let's not let the facts get in the way of a good rant.
1. I never mentioned a sign and trade between Sacramento and Minnesota. It sounds like someone needs to HIS facts straight. 2. Minnesota needs a major overhaul in the off-season. After selecting a coach and draft pick, Taylor and McHale need to look at their roster. Their biggest trade asset is Wally. The Wolves have limited options, but the Wolves need a younger back court. Cassell will be in his last year. Hudson was not very good. 3. Are you suggesting that we trade Wesley and a 1st Round Pick for Spree? Are you crazy? Put the pipe away, now! I think we can look at our recent history for the effect of giving up a 1st Round Pick for a 35 year old player. Wesley has 2 years on his contract. He is signed through '06-'07. Again, check you facts! 4. After the CBA is signed, The cap may go up to over 50 Million. The amount may also go up when the luxury tax is triggered. The MLE can go from 4.9 to 5.5 Million. If you at my previous post. I stated the Cat may have to take the MLE. There is a lot of competition at the 2 guard. 5. Griffin can be signed for the veterans exception. He made $720,000 last year. I think 1.2 Million is a great raise. The Wolves sign Griffin and keep the MLE. That is the fact Jack! 6. How do you know that the Wolves wont go over the cap for next year? Fans hate it when you go cheap after a bad season. Player Salaries were over 70 Million last year with big expectations. After you have a bad season, you have to keep fans interest on your team. Sorry to bust your chops, but I had to set you straight. Have a Great Weekend!
Nick, I couldn't agree more. Spree would come here BECAUSE of JVG..he is a tempermental sod, but clearly coch Gundy has him number. I want him here if he says he wants to be here. WAe could use a touch of gangsta in the form of a vet who's justrs using it for effect, his defense is very good IMOP, and he sure as hell can get off his shot...AI could see Spres witrh MJ being just killer off he bench in many ways..
To save GATER the time... Then, pray tell, how else does Minnesota get Mobley for "6-7 million".[/quote] Everyone knows what opinions are like. And if a 15 ppg shooter/scorer who's not good for much else, signed for 4 years, 46 million is their best asset...ouch. Check your own. Wesley is entering the final season of his contract. Isn't the 6-7 million you previously stated for Cuttino. Cat must have gotten some bad advice to opt out. Further, any reason why Cuttino particularly signs in Minnesota for MLE of all places? I'll go ahead and assume "veterans exception" means lower level exception. I'm glad you think 1.2 million is a great raise. That's why you're not Eddie's agent. People are talking Chris Andersen for half the MLE. Head to head, Eddie was a better rebounder and shot blocker in identical minutes and actually has range on his shot plus is 4 years younger. 23 year olds who can get 6.5 boards and better than 1.5 blocks will attract interest. Find me a comparable age/output who signed for 1.2 million in the last 5 years, and I'll believe you. I don't really see how a 52-53+ million dollar payroll can be construed as going cheap.
For those of you advocating for Sprewell, I'd like you guys to answer one question. How is Spree better than Jim Jackson, the guy we TRADED to acquire David Wesley? Spree doesn't rebound as well as JJ (or any better than [6'1] David Wesley!), he doesn't shoot as well as JJ, and he's just as slow as JJ. Anyone who watched the T'Wolves last year will tell you that Sprewell can no longer guard quick 2s. In a great article on JJ, JVG said in this month's issue of ESPN the Magazine: So how would Sprewell be any different than JJ, except that we'd probably be paying him through his 37th birthday?
You make fair points. My guess is that IF JVG brings in Sprewell, then he is convinced that Spree still has the quickness to guard those atheltic 2's. I think Spree is quicker than JJ at this point and does a better job creating his own shot but isnt as good a shooter as JJ is. I think Spre would be a slight upgrade on Wesley, but is more of a short term solution with perhaps our 1st round pick being the more long term solution as our 2 guard/swingman of the future.
