2002 Hughes is a Free Agent But 2001 the Rockets will throw the bank at Webber or Finley. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Marc Jackson is a free agent this summer. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
I'm a free agent. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon atheistalliance.org
We could use him right now Just think if we can sign him and Webber Jackson Webber Eddie Griffin (Seton Hall) Mobley Francis ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
I think it all depends on how the Rockets perform this season as to who we pursue in Free Agency. The team is slowly pulling together and learning how to play as a unit. That should translate into more consistent performances come mid-January. If that happens then I see the Rockets inking Shandon and Mo to new deals and then seeing what Hakeem wants to do (if he wants to go around again they'll most likely facilitate that) - if Dream leaves then I think a big man of some sort will be pursued (although that need can probably be filled through the draft as we'd be looking for a backup of some sort). ------------------
I know this has been discussed numerous times, but who do the Rockets realistically have a shot at next year? Webber??? Finley???? Who else can we pony up the jack for? ------------------ "Chucky who?" Charles Barkley
Call it a hunch (because that's all it is -- speculation), but I get the feeling the Rockets are going to pack up free agent hopes this summer and focus on the next one. I would expect some creative financing to re-sign Maurice Taylor and Shandon Anderson while keeping Hakeem Olajuwon, somehow, someway. Cap experts, enter here Reason is the odds of getting Webber are slim to none while Finley is a great player wanting the max -- and he'll get it from Mark Cuban (and then some under the table) in Dallas. I think the next year or year after that has a lot more free agent possibilities... ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Lil Francis, how come you do not have Shandon Anderson in your lineup? ------------------ [This message has been edited by DJ (edited December 23, 2000).]
I think Clutch is right on here. Webber is wishful thinking. The guy has stated for a long time that he wishes to get back to the east coast so he can be closer to home. I wouldn't rule out Miami or New York with Detroit as a dark horse candidate. Cuban will do anything to keep Finley and they are winning at the moment as well. My guess is that the Rockets will stand pat, sign their own guys and work on the draft. I could see a trade as a way to move higher in the draft or to acquire a younger guy at the small forward spot, but free agency leaves a lot to be desired this year. Besides, if they are happy with Taylor, one of their biggest holes is filled. Small forward is the last real problem area and this next draft seems to be loaded with possibilities there. ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
Finley might consider us if Shandon decides to leave(I hope not). We are at the same level as the mavs and they have finley and we dont. so we would me about 3 times better if we did have him. I dont think either one of the major free agents will sign here. No reason to. Sac-Town has built itself a contender and dallas loves finley, cuban loves finley, and finley loves dallas/cuban.
The way Rudy is treating him I doubt that he will be back. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
how exactly is he treating them? I haven't heard of any feuds between them or anything If you are talking about minutes/touches then you might be right. I would also like to see him post up a little more. Take one iso from each steve and cat, one 3 point play from walt, and one post up away from each mo and hakeem. That is at least 5 extra touches right there.
Our offseason depends a lot on Mo Taylor's performance. If he continues to show a 23 year old 18-8 PF, that blends and improving on defense, the story changes a lot if he is a total bust and wants to max out coming off an 11-4 year. Luck seems to be on our side. HOPEFULLY, Mo will blossom like he is, and stay here for a reasonable amount, which is impossible to predict right now, the market for a 18-8, 23 year old PF with 4 years of experience wouldn't be a dime a dozen. If he is, and we can keep around Shandon, then SF and C are our greatest concerns. Forget Webber. Forget Finley. If we pay for Shandon, Hakeem, or Mo, let alone 2 or 3 of them, we won't have the cap. What we do have is a slew of picks, with our 2 weak spots (C/SF) fairly strong in this draft. We are likely to have 2 picks in this draft, our own and Milwaukee's. Ours will be top 15, probably lotto land. Milwaukee's is top 20ish, but could still land a good player. The SFs to target in on in this draft include guys like Morris, Battier, Griffin (SF/PF), Wallace, Yarbrough, and late 1st, early 2nd, a Jefferson. Morris and Battier are seniors, and were on the USA Select team seen by Rudy T. Jefferson and Yarbrough are both Juniors, while Wallace and Griffin are freshmen (there goes the "no" sign from Rudy). At center, Woods, Ming (maybe), and Haywood are the crop of the class. Curry and Chandler will probably best be brought along as power forwards due to their age, and slight size deficiences (height, weight). Haywood is probably the best body wise already, but he is best compared to Cato-in game AND attitude. Woods is a great talent, lean, athletic, solid rebounder and shotblocker, with a little offensive game. The numbers may fool you, but from what I've seen, he has been denied the ball thoroughly, with double teams denying him the ball. ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated.
Good post NIKEstrad attitudes like yours are rare on this BBS.Iget tired of reading negative posts so ones like this are refreshing. ------------------ Principal Skinner to the school hamster after sending it into a snowstorm to rescue himself and the children"Nibbles,you made it!Now chew through my ball sack" Just some more brilliance brought to you courtesy of The Simpsons
Keep in mind, caproom doesn't necessarily mean free agents. There are two other things we could do: Trade for a star Trade for an over-paid player and, for taking this player off the team's hands, get other quality draft picks or players ------------------
I like the idea of getting Marc Jackson (Golden State must be sweating bullets over this guy's potential departure). If we trade Cato plus our picks, we might land high enough in the draft to grab the small forward we need. I get Wallace and Griffin mixed up, but it seems one or both of these guys gets points, blocks, steals, and BOARDS. Of course, someone could fall to us if we don't trade up. But the forward rotation (3 and 4) being our weakness, and Mo possibly staying on, I think we'll look at that 3 spot. That's where we constantly get waxed. ------------------
It seems like everyone assumes that Shandon and Mo will be wearing Rocket PJ's next year. I havent seen enough out of Mo to justify resigning him....HE CANT BANG DOWN LOW and REBOUND...we need a rebounder in the worst possible way. I like Shandon and still think he has loads of talent....but he needs to be more aggresive on the offensive end. Plus I dont know how happy he is with his role on the team...... ------------------ "Chucky who?" Charles Barkley
If there is any change(other than release/renounce) in the contract position of Anderson, Hakeem or Taylor, the Rockets will not have enough cap room to sign a big name free agent. The thing to remember is that not many other teams are going to be under the cap either, and Sacramento will definitely wbe interested in a sign and trade if they are going to lose Webber. Just like Eddie Jones/Charlotte/Miami did this year. Jones was offered deals by the "under the cap" Bulls and Magic, but instead chose to do a sign and trade and go to Miami. Sure, having the capspace gives you some flexibility, but it some cases, it puts you at a disadvantage by having less to trade. ------------------ Maybe all the rulers are wrong. Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info
That's why I've (over)posted about acquiring Marc Jackson. He does everything we need at the center position. And we can offer him, say, a first-year salary of 4 million (it'll take more to get him, I know, but the point is, he won't get Webber type money, and Webber is a long shot at best). As far as Mo? Who knows if he'll stay. If he does, we can hopefully surround him with a center and a small forward (draft) who CAN rebound. ------------------
If Orlando wanted to make the playoffs this year and Orlando wanted to try to get Webber next year... would you trade Dream for an injured Grant Hill? ------------------ You don't normally see a shot-blocker out there shooting 3s like that. - Matt Bullard
