If we move Steve to the 2 at serious 30+ minutes, we agree that we first must get a real starting and real backup PG, unless we expect to find a youngish 35-40mpg PG out there, do you use your primary trading assets on that PG, when you already have a weak PF position? I don't. But that's just me. If the goal is to move SF to SG nearly exclusively, what I'd expect to find is a solid vet without trading a starter. Then I'd probably go for frontcourt strength in a Mobley/EG trade. I guess I'm a lot more worried about our frontcourt weakness draining Yao than I think making Francis an exclusive 2 is the answer. I also think it is easier to find vet PGs than it is to find solid PFs.
Okay, fair enough. FWIW, I want Andre Miller and Elton Brand, and I think those two are entirely possible. I've wanted those two for quite some time, and my babbling about Terry was mostly because Doc mentioned an Eastern PG, and I see Francis in the same mold of guard as Payton and Cassell, and now apparently Jason Terry. Thanks for the info.
The Clippers are so far under the salary cap that they will not have to take into consideration BYC issues if they sign/trade their free agents. So the gurus can rest easy. So, for example, Brand is re-signed starting at $10 mil. They wouldn't have to take back only $5 mil. They can absorb the excess salary because, really, the team has about $20 million in cap space for next year. If the Clips re-signed Brand and Odom and whomever and so filled out that cap space, which they won't, then, Houston, we would have a problem.
He is a good offensive player, but we all can see the guy doesnt fit in this team anymore. With Yao and Francis, he has to be the 3rd option and a role player, which I dont think he is willing to be, at least he didnt show us in this season. It's also good for his career in NBA if we move him to another team where he can be best utilized, e.g. Clippers might be a good fit. Look at K.T., he plays an important role in Phily now, and his game definitely flourish over there. Moving Cat is not a shocking news. Remember Yao Ming mentioned to the Chinese media that Rockets was trying to put him for sale before the trading dead line. We need a team that flows through Steve and Ming, and as discussed many times here Cat sometimes was not helping us by forcing the shot.
Lynus: no problem. obviously, i enjoy scouting players... as for miller, we are in 100% agreement. i think he would be a wonderful pickup...although i would not agree to a 6 or 7 year deal with him. imo, 6 & 7 year deals should ONLY go to your franchise type players. role players, which is what miller would become on this team, only get 3-4 years. brand is to yao ming, as thorpe was to hakeem olajuwon. nuff said.
It depends on the amount they sign for, and whether the Clippers are under the cap at the time of the signing. Whoever signed for over 120% of previous salary becomes a BYC player, unless the Clippers are under the cap at the time of the signing. The numbers I showed were their cap hits (300% of current salary) until such signing occurs....which is probably right around what they each will sign for, except Odom could be lower.
I'm not so sure about that. Come July 1st, Brand, Odom, Maggette and Miller all count 300% of current salary to the clippers cap. Check my numbers above. Do you see anything wrong with them? also, what is the estimated cap?
You forgot the part where Terry looks much cooler with a head band than Francis. And Jason and Terry are much cooler first names as last names than Steve and Francis.
sounds good, I really hope we pick up J Crawford and Brand. How much better would this team look w/ those 2 and Boki at the 3? Im salivatin already.......
I think that removing Moochie, Cat, EG, and probably one or 2 other players (trade purposes) can be considered blowing up a team right? Either way. Moving Steve to the 2 can be considered a BIG move. Basically, we're changing the starting 1, starting 2, starting 4, backup 1, and possibly others. If the team truly is willing to make these necessary changes, and Les is willing to cut Moochie despite his guaranteed contract, it would make me a very happy person.
OK ... Scott Pollard. Tell me this guy would be wrong. He rebounds and he knows how to put the ball in when close to the basket (something our forwards going back to Kenny Thomas haven't been able to do). What's Scott Pollard's contract like? The Kings can afford to lose him. With Keon Clark, Lawrence Funderburke, and Webber these guys have got more forwards than they know what to do with.
Heres a thought... since David Robinson is retiring and Willis is getting really old, do you think the Rox would trade Kelvin Cato to the spurs for Tony Parker and shift steve to the 2? Cause it looks like the spurs are going after jason kidd!
So if we accept that we are not facing luxury tax issues, then we shouldn't be clamoring to move our bad contracts. Moving bad contracts reduces the value of the talent we receiving in return. Here's hoping that Les follows, to some degree, the Cuban model. Trade for talent, even if the players are somewhat overpaid. So then it makes sense to trade Cat and Griff. Outside of the 2 untouchables, they are our most marketable commodities. Throw in Rice's expiring contract to get the salaries up if we are going after a talented, expensive player. These three will bring the most talent in return from trades, if we want to be a contender in the West.
Yep. I think that was the original idea. To trade away Mobley and Griffin mainly...and Rice to sweeten deals. And our picks. AND SOMEHOW GET RID OF MOOCHIE. But who are we gonna trade them for?!?!? We need to compose a huge list of targets.
I dont think Moochie will be cut, maybe traded, but not cut. Do said they were DISCUSSING it...doesn't mean it'll happen. Sg East - Jon Barry, although it might be hard to pry him away from Detroit Pf West - If its through Free Agency, then probably a guy like Stromile Swift...otherwise, a cool possibility might be Fortson (they have a log-jam at the PF position) Pg East - Jamaal Crawford? who knows And the Rockets are probably looking at Brand. Who wouldn't? And they would probably pull the trigger on Cat and Griff for Brand. That would be sweet.
I'll get one started: EG, Moochie and Cuttino to Portland for Zach Randolph, Jeff McInnis, and Derek Anderson.
Moochie can be traded. I think the Rockets will wait till late summer to cut Moochie, or maybe even preseason. They'll try to work him into deals, and I think they'll succeed. A etam like New York would take Moochie if it meant getting Cato or Griff.
Yes...but I've been too busy handling my own finances today to worry about Moochies. I still disagree with parts of your asssement. And you never considered my comments about personal reasons to take a buyout at or slightly below market rate.
