This was not a "mistake" by Morey. It was the result of ongoing negotiations with Landry's agent throughout the summer. I believe the Rockets were offering a partially guaranteed two-year deal with a team option for the second year. Landry and his agent wanted a fully guaranteed deal with either a player option for Year 2 or a two-year guaranteed deal, since Landry was the first pick of the second round. Given the Rockets' then-current roster (including Jackie Butler and Justin Reed), there was serious concern about guaranteeing salary for this year and next that would push the team into luxury tax territory. Also, if I am not mistaken, most of the people on this BBS (primarily the Mike Harris lovers, but also some others) were calling for the Rockets to cut Landry in training camp and were otherwise referring to Landry as a "scrub". Well, it looks like the Rockets made the right decision on keeping Landry. Under the current CBA, the Rockets can match any offer for Landry from another team, up to the MLE. If the Rockets match any such offer, then they have to use all or a portion of the MLE to pay Landry. This would be very bad news for Steve Francis, assuming that he is able to contribute the remainder of this season and subsequently opts out of his current deal to re-sign with the Rockets for all or some of the MLE. Fortunately for the Rockets, when Bonzi decided to come back this season, he ensured that the Rockets would have his Early Bird rights, meaning that Bonzi can sign up to a full "MLE-sized" deal, without having to dip into the actual MLE.
I think most people here were excited about him. He had some great preseason games, much like he has done in the regular season when given minutes, and that made everyone like him I think most people wanted to keep both of them at the expense of other players
If someone wants to give Landry a $5 million annual paycheck, at this point, hasta la vista. Maybe he'll continue to play his way into that, but I doubt it. Plus, i don't think restricted prevents us from going the sign and trade route, either.
If sending Landry out to get Bibby or Miller is the kicker, you have to do it. Not to take anything away from Landry's play, But opposing teams play him like they played Hayes. If he becomes as good as some think he might be, comparing him to Gay, teams will not ignore him as much, and make a concess effort to keep a body on him. The point is we want to win NOW! If this team keeps failing, Tracy won't be around much longer. Personally, I'd rather ship Hayes, but Landry has to be on the table. As much as I like some of these guys, on the table for me would be Hayes, Landry, Novak, Bonzi, Rafer and James. Sad but true, you have to give something to get something. Tracy would even be on the table for the right guy or coulpe of guys. As much as I like Stevie, he hasn't been doing us much good at home so I guess he's on the table too. Not getting rid of all these guys but they would be on the table.
Landry has so much potential- he might even be a mini Hakeem in the making- do not trader this talent!!
At draft time no they weren't similar at all, but we're not at draft time anymore. Landry has shown as much potential as Gay showed in college. If the draft was redone today Landry would probably be drafted top 15, which I realize is lower that what Gay was drafted but I would say Miller is valued less than what Battier was, especially considering the Griz's fire-sale mentality. Lastly the trade can't be straight up. Landry makes less than 500k and Miller makes almost 9mil. In other words to get Miller we would have to include multiple players and throwing in a guy who makes so little but has so much potential is just plain dumb.
