Now this is more personal opinion more than anything else, but I do have a knack when it comes to Conspiracy Theories. If Fegan is representing both, Shandon and Hakeem, wouldn't it be financially beneficial for him to get Hakeem to sign elsewhere? Therefore there could be more negotiations about Shandon's contract. If Hakeem signs here than Shandon gets an early bird because that is all we can afford. Fegan specifically stated he wanted more than an early bird for Shandon. Best Case Scenario for Fegan and Worst For Rockets: Hakeem signs else where which gives us extra cap room to sign Shandon over a early bird deal Worst Case Scenario for Fegan and Best for Rockets: (what most of us want) Hakeem signs for last offer and we offer Shandon early bird rights From what I have read along with the market for his services, Shandon does not have many options. Therefore the key is getting Hakeem out of Houston to negotiate a higher contract. Shandon's negotiations were painfully similar two years ago with Fegan to the Dream negotiations right now. I feel he is influencing them both in this fashion and maybe that is why Shandon is staying quiet. He knows he will get a bigger deal if Hakeem is moved. Just my theory, I didn't hear this in the mall or at the Whole Foods Market.... ....What do you guys think? ------------------
Then wouldn't the best move by the Rocks be to offer Dream enough money (like $6 or $7 million) to cut Anderson out of the arithmetic, forcing him to either sign the Early Bird with us or the midlevel elsewhere? ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
If Anderson is signed for more than the early bird, then CD should be fired!! You do not pay a future bench player, that kind of money!! I like Shandon, but his only future with the Rockets will be backing up Cuttino. ------------------
I concur with FD Khan. I somehow feel that there was more to this than just Hakeem. I wonder if the negotiations would have been different had Hakeem hired Falk as his agent ------------------
I think the team wanted to keep Hakeem as much for the sake of him retiring as a Rocket and for PR reasons then the fact that the team really needed him for 40-50 games this season. If Fegan thinks he has the same leverage with Anderson, I would hope that the Rockets tell him real quick to hit the trail. We might like to keep Anderson, but it is not going to make or break the team enough to listen to crap from Fegan. ------------------
Khan, Nice analysis! I'm very skeptical that Feegan has everyone's best interest in mind. I can see him manipulating Hakeem into thinking TOR is a chance for redemption. SA is our back-up SG and should be paid like that or traded to someone who needs him as a starter. ------------------
Fagen only has his client's best interest in mind and of course his percentage of their best interest. Getting both players signed for THE MOST MONEY is his job; and if it takes manipulating the deal with the Raptors I'm sure he would do it. And if you need a lawyer or agent, get yourself the most hard-assed sumbich you can find too. ------------------ He's very popular, Ed. Sportos, Motorheads, Geeks, Sluts, Pinheads, Dweebies,Wonkers, Richies, they all adore him.
