Be it a series of losses this year or the play offs last year, be it without TMac or with TMac on the floor, we get routinely abused by the bigger, quicker and younger guards. Even when they are healthy, the Wesleys, Andersons, Barrys and even Sura's can not match up with the athletic 2/3s. Obviously, Artest would be the perfect choice, but how long can we wait, dreaming he will fall in our lap. The season is fast slipping away, and even if we miraculously recover with healthy Tmac and Yao, play off picture does not appear to be brighter than last here. Therefore, we have to make some bold moves now and make an all out effort. Obviously, we can not expect much help from the WC teams, so we have to look at the East. There is turmoil in Orlando, Boston is trying to groom the younger players and Washinton appears to shake the things up and start over. Each of these teams has one thing in common that Rockets desperately need. Bigger and younger well rounded swing man. Can our expiring contracts and draft picks net us some help from them. Would Boston be willing to give up Ricky Davis (if then can unload Mark Blount) for the expiring contracts of Wesley/Moochie + cap filler and our unprotected Ist round draft pick? Will Orlando give up Turkoglu for the expiring contracts or may be a three way deal that can get a player they would prefer? How about a three way deal- Wesley/Moochie +cap fillers and Ist rounder to Boston, Mark Blount and New York's 2nd rounder (via Houston) plus Houston second rounder to Orlando and Ricky Davis/ Turkoglu to Houston. Boston cuts the pay roll by 12 million and gets a good Ist rounder Orlando gets a legitimate Center plus 2 potentially high second rounder for Turkoglu and Houston get 2 decent big swingmen, who would contribute right away. And we will be only 2-3 million over the cap next year. If the need be I will not hesitate to replace one of the expiring contract (Wesley/Moochie for Swift). If Boston and Orlando are not interested then we can look at Washington. They might be willing to give up Caron butler if we take Jamieson off their hands. Yes he has a big contract but still can ball and is definitely better than any of our four and Butler is very nice well rounded player. How about Wesley/Moochie/Howard+ cap filler for Butler and Jamison. We must get something done and an Express delivery is the need of the our. Your thoughts---------
I think CD is trying his hardest to pull something off but every other team just won't bite. He's a very win-now kind of guy if he feels the team is a player away from taking it all the way. But nobody wants to dance
If we trade I think we need to keep our first round pick. I know this is not going to be the draft that was last years but there are still some great players coming out, Rodney Carney,Shelden Williams (Although I am not a big fan the kid might be able to play PF,), Adam Morrison, and Taj Gray could all be good pick ups. I am a big fan of Carney and I think he will be an excellent pro. Sacrificing him for Ricky Davis just does not sit well with me. Davis is streaky, a poor defender, and has never really had the heart. I have never been a big fan of Hedo so I do not think we trade for him. Getting Artest is a pipe dream. At this point I think we have to look as where we are right before the deadline. Juwon, Wesley, Swift, and alston are all able to be had I think but I think there has to be a a reason. We do not trade just to trade. We could use the salary cap relief. We could use young talent. We need to think about it. Getting the 8th seed and with no future is why we traded for T-mac. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.
The Washington idea for Butler and Jamison is very creative. Congrats for that. I don't know if Les would pay Jamison's max contract. The overall payroll would be well into the lux tax, right? That's over 40 mil with just those 4 guys, then we have 11 more contracts to fill. It really would give us a decent contending team, though. I'd think the more likely parameters we have are we can afford one tertiary "star" with a top end at 8 mil. on contract, and the rest have to be value role players. One way to get value from journeymen is to get specialists - a guy that does one thing well. We can get talent on the cheap in the draft. That's the most financially sound way to go.
Turkoglu might be a possibility, though I wouldn't think so since he's been one of their most consistent players. Boston isn't giving up Davis right now since he's settled down attitude-wise and been their most consistent scorer this year (even ahead of Pierce, consistency-wise) The Washington deal you actually proposed has no chance.. I mean, I'm glad you're thinking.. but a) Washington doesn't think of Jamison as the dead-weight you seem to be panning him off as. "If we take Jamison they might give us Butler". He's not a Mashburn just eating money..he's their 2nd best player. b) They'd want talent back, not just cap-space and picks. They're not rebuilding right now...they finally hit the playoffs last year and just want to reload from the loss of Hughes. They may want to get rid of the Daniels contract..but that's it. c) They all hate Howard out in DC. They don't want him back. Especially not for so many years
I am not sure if we can save the season or not, but in terms of making a big trade that perhaps can help the rest of the season, next season and beyond....our best bet is to try to move the expiring deals of Wesley/Moochie to a team that is really fading and has had a terrible year and might want to rebuild or lop off some salary. Much like what happened last year when the Warriors sent Dale Davis/Speedy Claxton for Baron Davis. Also, I wouldnt move our 1st round pick unless i knew I was getting an All Star or close to all star type player in return. It just will be too valuable to us considering how high we are picking.
I agree with Deuce but I wonder who would be willing to take Wesley or Moochie. I think the chances of that happening is very slim.
no way in hell does any franchise trade two young players in their prime, playing MAJOR roles on their team for a bunch of old guys who aren't more than part time role players. there have been some pretty ridiculous trades posted on here, this one is near the top. i would LOVE to have a guy like caron butler on this team, a great athlete and good defender who can rebound and score from either the 2 or 3 spot. the wizards got one of the biggest steals of the offseason to acquire him for kwame brown. we would have to give up head and another good player just to get in the conversation of acquiring him alone, much less an all-star who puts up 20 & 8 everynight like jamison.
