Forget What Happens With T-Mac, do you resign Artest

You have to sign him. One thing all great teams have in common is consistency, that team unity. We can't be altering rosters every season, like I do on my nba live.

 

Good point. We struggled in the 1st half of every season.

If Ron could accept a one-year contract, it would be great!

 

With all the free agents coming out 2010 Ron won't want to sign a 1 year deal. Plus, he could get hurt next year and run down his value. He will want some longer term for security I would think.

 

I'm certain Ron agrees with you.

But:
-Morey is a moneyball guy, who wants strong value for his dollar. Rafer got moved because Morey could get a reasonable replacement for 1/4 the cost. He had two staredowns (Mutombo and Landry) and signed both for less than what the majority of this BBS were "willing".

-The Economy - a large number of teams are going to lose money this year, and are bracing for a cold winter next year, since the major 08/09 sponsors had signed on before the economy went under on them. We're not as bad off as Memphis or Milwaukee, but Les isn't going to pay luxury tax when he's already going to be bringing in less revenue than the payroll. Because of the cap and tax lines both retreating by at least 10% this summer, we're ALREADY over the cap and at the tax line for next year - BEFORE resigning Ron. The best case scenario is if McGrady misses most of 09/10 and 80% of his salary ($18.6 if he never plays) is paid by insurance. We can't just cut, waive, or trade him - there's no way to make numbers that big disappear.

-This was a contract year for Ron, and what did he show us? His poorest full season in 6 years, just about the worst shooting he's displayed during his career, a bad habit of abandoning the offense for cringe-inducing shot selections, the fewest trips to the line he's earned since his days in Chicago, the nail in the coffin that his days as a stopper are gone, etc. All this during a CONTRACT YEAR.


-2010 is going to be a factor. The Rockets currently have less than $20M committed, assuming Yao opts out. But that's for only 4 players (Battier, Brooks, Lowry, Landry) and Scola (and Wafer?) will most definitely be extended by that time. They are very unlikely to sign Ron to a deal that will rob them of 2010 flexibility.

Now, he's been invaluable this season - without him I don't know if we survive the McGrady trainwreck. But when you stop to consider that he may very well be through as a top 10 (top 15?) swingman....I don't see a deal starting at $11M working out for us.

Comparing his value to Battier doesn't really work, since Morey's using different math. He isn't thinking what FMV is, he's wondering if he can get equivalent play for significantly less pay with someone else. That's what's establishing Ron's worth to the franchise. We also know that Battier was shopped, and not for a lack of sincere love for him in the organization. His $7M tag puts him on the block.

 

Totally Agree. Even though I am very happy that we got out of the first round. I hope Morey doesnt give in to the pressure of resigning Artest because of this. All this positive media attention he has been getting lately is not helping either. I think if Morey is big on efficiency, he will let Ron go or Sign and Trade.

 

The only way I would sign Artest to a long contract is if we win the championship THIS year. That would prove that we are that good with this squad.

But more realistically, I am with JuanValdes' take. Keeping Artest without a healthy TMac does not make sense. If Artest is your second best player, you are not going anywhere, especially when our best player can be neutralized fairly easily.

This is the problem with Artest. While he is not good enough to be the second guy on a championship team, he doesn't do well as a third option. Look at how he struggled playing alongside TMac.

So the dilemma is, if we don't have TMac, we should just rebuild. If we have TMac, he does not fit well with Artest. In any case, I would not give him more than two years. Too much of a risk.

I trust Morey, though. I think he has a pretty good idea what Artest is really worth. I am sure Morey won't just throw money at Artest simply because he is entertaining in interviews.

 

I think Morey can do better Von.

 

/\ better than

 

The thing is I dont question none of Morey's moves whatever he does Im cosigning for it

 

Can you really tell this right now? Let's just say the rockets win the championship, and Artest plays the rest of the playoffs the way he did Game 6 with the Blazers... you know they would probably give him good money. I know that's a stretch, but we really need to see how this all ends before we can form opinions on what should be done with Artest.

 

i sense that morey is inclined to re-sign ron. the only question is at what price and for how long.

if it's up tome, i'd throw the mle (or mle+1mil) per for 4 years on the table.

 

Ron has repeatably said he loves it in Houston and wants to sign with us. The only thing I'm worried about is other teams throwing $10 million + at him

 

i think you resign him, he plays both sides of the court and one of the best 2 way players in the league, that's a top notch player. when he has it going on the offensive side of the court, he's up there with the best perimeter players in the league. plus he can defend 3 positions, and do it very well.

this team is playing better without mac, and a lot of that has to do with ron.

 

QFT. I love how I'm able to just sit back, relax and appreciate the moves that DM makes. Many folks here were pissed off to no end when we traded Alston for Lowry. Some questioned why we chose Von Wafer over Strawberry or Harris. He brought in Deke at a good time. He was able to get Artest for peanuts.

Guys, we're in good hands with DM and RA.

 

who's going to do that?

 

I'm trying to think of potential suitors:
Detroit will have space, but already have Rip and Prince, and seem determined to have max space for 2010. Maybe a S&T for Prince or Rip? But why bother if it's a lateral move?

The Raptors definitely have the space.

I don't know if he'd fit in the rotation, but OKC has the cap space and would want to make a splash to keep fan interest high.

Memphis will have cap space, but are broke, broke, broke. So are the Pacers, Bucks, Wolves, Hornets, and Suns.

New Jersey will have a little under the cap, but not much at all, and they're absolutely trying to have LeBron money.

Portland might have just enough cap space, but that would be awkward.

Sacramento isn't bringing him back.

No space but plausible interest:
Chicago in a S&T for Gordon or Hinrich?
Cleveland S&T for expiring Wallace? Miami's got Blount's expiring, too, but why trade for dead weight when you could take the money off the books right away?
We aren't dealing him within the division. Not happening.
New York might want him if we take back an undesirable - but there would have to be picks involved for us to consider it.

 

Detroit and Indiana are not Artestable. Under any scenario.
Miami IMHO would 'kill' to add him in an SnT. Beasley + Haslim + #1 maybe.
Nets would SnT for him, Yi + Najera + #1, lotto (if below top tier) IMHO.
Bulls? Maybe. SnT for Hinrich? Bigger deal?
Knicks? SnT for Nate + #1 Lotto (if below top tier) + filler?
Clips? You betcha.
Cleveland if they fall short? You betcha; and Wallace's expiring? Nah, it would have to be real players.

Several teams would pitch an SnT IMHO. He is eminently movable. I would prefer to see him earn his contract for Houston by leading Rox past Lakes (and Nugs and Cavs).

 

The benefit would be that so many teams will have their salary spaces freed up. If he waits for 2010 his hope would be that one of those many teams who miss out will overpay for a consolation signing like himself.

 

Or he could just lead us past the Lakers and to a championship and get PAID in 2009.