Those of us who favor the Knicks deal are putting pretty much zero weight on winning this year. It's all about building up a championship team going forward. It isn't clear what sort of future Thomas/Miller would have with the Rockets. The Knicks draft picks are more alluring, but then what exactly are the details of the draft picks isn't so clear. And would you rather have an expiring Tyrus Thomas, or Jordan Hill who is on a rookie contract through 2013?
I don't know why people are so obsessed with the NY picks. Basically i see it as just a 1st round pick. The other one is just SWAP...it's not like we get two 1st round picks. And then there is a 2nd round pick...who care about the 2nd round pick. And then Jordan Hill...that guy is SORRY..i watch him on Youtube...he sucks ball...doesn't have the athleticism to compete imo. With Chicago...you get solid players in Miller and Salmon and Thomas giving us something that can block shots beside Yao. Now if Chicago throw in a 1st round pick...it's perfect.
Durvasa, I am impressed by all the attention that Tyrus Thomas is getting from some very astute talent evaluators in teams like the Spurs and Nuggets. The problem is can the rockets keep TT if they trade for him and at what price.
It's not about winning this year, it's always about competing. When Morey takes the NY deal he's basically saying screw this year. Forget about tanking and take the Bulls deal. Miller can definetly play, remember his game in Houston earlier this year ??, Salmons is okay and Thomas at least bring some shot blocking and athleticism. RA knows 2 of the 3 so that would also be a plus. The Bulls are also offering draft picks so I say take the deal. When it was Jerome James, Miller and Thomas I was intrigued, with Hinrich / Salmons involved it's definetly the deal to be made. To your question: Thomas who's expiring of course. He can help us this year but next year they're going after Bosh probably and Thomas is a player who gathers interest from many teams so you can bet he can be dealt in the offseason. What more do you guys need ?? It's funny how this is even an issue, now that it's known the Bulls are also matching the Knicks' draft picks and the 3rd player is Salmons / Hinrich instead of Jerome James.
If the Bulls are adding a pick then I think it's time to power up the fax machine. The players the Bulls are offering are far superior to the Knicks. With the Bulls adding a pick, I'd say that package was better than the Knicks long and short term. Building assets. We can use Miller next year as we've been looking for a backup since Mutombo. Salmons is having a bad year but is still better than anyone we have at the SG. Thomas is very tradable or usable. Plus a pick. Overall better usable or tradable assets than Hughes (expiring this year), Jeffries and Hill plus a possible protected pick and a pick swap.
Miller had a great game in Houston a short while ago. Perhaps that is fresh in his mind. The Chicago deal would be favored by Rick Adelman (bringing him two former players, immediate help, an extra draft pick for next year, a shot blocker he can use now). Feigen's opinion might be based on discussions he had with RA.
Chicago holds their own 2010 first round pick but they do owe their second rounder to the Blazers. http://www.realgm.com/src_future_draftpicks.php
Honest question: do you Leslie, Morey and whoever is involved in trading actually ask RA's opinion ? I hope they do because RA will definetly like the Bulls deal. If I were RA and Morey deals with the Knicks instead, I would be furious !!
If other teams are really wanting TT, could we possibly get Thomas, then flip him to one of those teams. Maybe we could get another first round pick out of one of the teams that are chasing him. Anyone know what kind of offers the Bulls are getting for Thomas?
If Chicago is really offering a pick next year and it is Salmons not Hinrich, this really banks on Morey's evaluation of Hill: No doubt: Salmons > Jeffries Bird in hand: 2010 draft pick as opposed to swap 2011 and 2012 (unprotected?) Miller expiring helps this year, might be decent backup next year (a position we absolutely have to improve on). The last question is what does Morey really thinks of Hill vs. Thomas. Thomas is better now and there is definate interest in him by other teams. Maybe a sign and trade candidate in the off-season. So unless, Morey is seeing another Carl Landry in Hill, you would think the Chicago deal is the choice.
The way I see it is short term with less risk with Chi trade. Long term higher risk with Knicks trade. Chi Trade we get miller + tyrus which both are expiring contracts and thomas may not even sign with us. however if he sucks then he may be a short rental. This trade would also put us in a better position this year's FA. As we still have some flexibility in looking for FA. Knicks - Hill long term gamble, if anyone can tell, it would be morey. If he thinks hill is what he crack up to be, then i trust his decision. That also means we will be looking to trade landry. The picks from Knicks is and should be better and higher then the Chi. Peronally, I would pick Chi because if we are in a winning now mode with Yao coming back next season, we can't afford to wait for hill to develop or getting nice picks in the draft. Miller is the ideal backup Center we all been looking for. tyrus if good would be icying on the cake. picks are better too.
I'm thinking if the Rockets get Thomas they can use him for the remainder of the season, and if he doesn't want to re-sign then they can do a S&T with someone over the summer.
Thomas can be dealt in the offseason with all the interest he's gathering. That's one of the hundred why it's a no-brainer to take the Bulls deal !!
He would be a great bargaining chip in a deal for Chris Bosh this off-season. He would probably allow us to keep Landry.
The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are battling to get Tracy McGrady(notes) and his $23 million expiring contract from the Houston Rockets, according to the New York Post. A deal is likely to be finalized sometime today for the guard who is currently suspended from the team. The Knicks want to send rookie Jordan Hill(notes), Larry Hughes(notes), a 2012 first-round pick, and Jared Jeffries(notes) to Houston, which would give the Knicks about $9.4 million more in salary-cap space this summer. The Knicks would get McGrady, Brian Cook(notes), and Joey Dorsey(notes). The Bulls are supposedly offering Tyrus Thomas(notes), Brad Miller(notes) and either John Salmons(notes) or Kirk Hinrich(notes). It's looking like the Bulls may have the better offer because Rockets GM Daryl Morey doesn't love the idea of taking on Jeffries. tifwiw http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Knicks-and-Bulls-fighting-for-McGrady?urn=nba,220182
The Knicks are still trying to clean up what Isiah did, and they have been getting better...not to mention finally about to get out of those contracts. I do not understand everyone's feelings on the Knicks, like it is a foregone conclusion they will not sign any big names and will somehow get worse than they already are. Hell, they will be better next year completely disregarding the FACT that they will be able to lure at least one superstar there. It is still Ney York City and they still have a player's coach and they still have a ton of money to spend and they still are in the Eastern Conference. The expectation their future picks will be some sort of coup for the Rockets is amazingly confident. To the point of just being a tad foolish. Teams get better in the NBA....fast.
