As bleak as the team looks now, I think it's important to remember that Yao and T-Mac are only in their mid-20's. It takes time to build up a contender, and besides those two, we really don't have a lot of pieces. And despite the fact that trade mania has officially hit the rockets as of last week, I still think that smart drafting and shrewd free agent signings are the truest ways to contention (Especially when our only decent trade bait can only muster up the likes of David Wesley). In terms of free agency, with our two foundation guys being relatively young, I think the best way to build around them is to use our MLE to sign one young talented player (who can grow with our two stars) instead of dividing up the MLE and trying fill a couple of positions. If we can sign the right player then that will shore up one of our weak position for many years, allowing us the chance to repeat the process in future free agency campaigns. Otherwise we'd just be always trying to shuffle in low priced "bargains" instead of building up the talent level. So in that vein, I've come up with a list of three guys who are unrestricted free agents next summer (so we won't have to overbid to land them) who I think the Rox should seriously think about targetting with our full MLE. Stromile Swift Age: 25 I'm sure I'm not the only one that would like to see Stro in a Rox uniform. He's athletic, a very good shotblocker, and a decent rebounder. He can hit a 12 foot jumper if left open, and can run the floor. Now I know most of you think that we won't be able to sign him with just the MLE. But by all accounts, there are a lot less teams with cap space next year. And the ones that do, like Seattle have their own free agents to consider first. Neither Memphis or Atlanta wanted to give him a big contract last summer, and by his performance so far this year, I don't expect him to get a huge offer next summer. His game hasn't emerged, he's playing about the same as he was last year. I see him in the same situation as guys like Olowakandi and Joe Smith. Big guys that never hit their potential who had to take MLE offers in order to reprove themselves. And if Swift is looking to showcase himself, or if he's looking for a long-term deal in a good situation, then Houston would seem like the perfect place. He's not going to stay in Memphis getting 20 mpg backing up Gasol. If he comes to Houston, he would have a starting job and he'd just be required to do what he's been doing; Block shots, rebound, and hit open jumpers. He would be the first guy I would target if I was CD. Bobby Simmons Age:24 He would be a great swingman running mate with Tracy. Simmons is athletic, a great energy guy, and has developed into a pretty good perimeter shooter. I wouldn't say that he's the 3 pt wiz that we're all looking for, because he doesn't really shoot that many 3s a game, but his percentage has been very good this year. He's also another one of those high energy guys, who seems to have a nose for the ball, plays pesky defense, and contributes to a lot of stuff that doesn't appear in the box score. He reminds me of a Posey with a better shot. Or maybe a Bowen with much more talent. I'd love to have him and T-Mac guarding the perimeter, being active, getting steals and boards. And unless he turns his play up another notch, then I really think that he will be right at about MLE range. Larry Hughes Age: 25 He's in his seventh year in the league, and if you haven't noticed, he's turned into a pretty good ball player. Look at his numbers: 19.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.1 apg. They're almost Francisesque, but with only 2.3 TO's a game. Hughes isn't a pure point, and he's not even a decent three point shooter. But he's active on defense (league leader in steals), attacks the basket, and has improved on his perimeter game in general. Poor man's Francis or Rich man's Sura, Hughes would be a good addition to the team. He can play the 1 or the 2, and has the ability to fill up the stat line. He might want more than the MLE, but we'll see how the market shakes out. Also, he might prefer it in Washington with his former teammates in Arenas and Jamison, so we'll find out if this "Yao and T-Mac can attract free agents" theory has any steam. All three of these guys will be unrestriced Free Agents next summer, fill a need, and increases the team's youth, talent, and athleticism. These are the kind of role players that we should be building around Yao and T-Mac. Young guys that have a chance to grow with our stars. If Damon Jones really did have Houston on his list, then we already messed up last year. Let's not make that same mistake again next year and beyond.
We won't be able to get swift or any other decent PF with our MLE for that matter, but I'd love bobby simmons to be on our team. I watch alot of the clippers/laker games since i live here, and he worked real hard on his jumpshot and the stats show. Not a lights out 3 point shooter but when he does take however few of them he makes them. He's money from anywhere along the baseline, plays good D and has a really strong build. McGrady as much as JVG says likes to guard 3s or whatever should really guard 2s and waste less energy on bigger dudes. He might get more than the MLE though. FOr our PF the only way is via trade. Or through the draft. or malick badiane
I like all 3 guys. Our need is PF..so I would try to get Swift. Then I would try to get either Hughes or Simmons. Hughes is a good player I like him a lot but Simmons might be a better fit since he can shoot..I'd try to get all 3 somehow.
Uh, Eddie Griffin (spoken confidently, anonymously, but confidently?) works best if JVG is no longer around
I dont really like hughes. He seems like he has the attitude where he wants the bal, and he wants to be the man. I'm afraid that hughes might not know his role. A player taht u didnt have on ur list that I really want is radmanovic. He is a lights out shooter, and is also fairly athletic and young. I seeing him as a poor man's peja. He can play our 3, and maybe even a little 4. He's a guy who I want on our team mainly because of his outside shooting.
This is a listing of those 112 players who hold options or team options to become a Free Agent in 2005 according to hoopsworld.com Aaron Williams Adrian Griffin Alan Henderson Andrew DeClercq Antonio Daniels Austin Croshere Bo Outlaw Bobby Jackson Brandon Armstrong Brandon Hunter Brendan Haywood Brian Grant Brian Scalabrine Cezary Trybanski Charlie Ward Chris Crawford Christian Laettner Corie Blount Cuttino Mobley Dale Davis Damon Stoudamire Dan Gadzuric Daniel Santiago Danny Fortson Darius Songaila Darrell Armstrong DeSagana Diop Devean George Devin Brown Donyell Marshall Earl Watson Eddie Gill Eddie House Eddie Jones Eddy Curry Elden Campbell Erick Strickland Ervin Johnson Gerald Wallace Glenn Robinson Grant Hill Jake Voskuhl Jalen Rose Jamaal Tinsley Jamal Mashburn Jamal Sampson James Jones Jason Collins Jason Kapono Jahidi White Jeff McInnis Jerome Beasley Jerome James Jerome Moiso Joe Johnson Kedrick Brown Keith Bogans Keith Van Horn Kerry Kittles Kwame Brown Kyle Korver Larry Hughes Lucious Harris Luke Walton Malik Allen Mark Madsen Marko Jaric Maurice Williams Michael Bradley Michael Redd Mike James Othella Harrington Popeye Jones Primoz Brezec Raja Bell Ray Allen Reggie Evans Robert Horry Rodney White Roger Mason Jr Ryan Bowen Samuel Dalembert Ronald Murray Shane Battier Shareef Abdur-Rahim Steve Blake Steve Hunter Tariq Abdul-Wahad Theron Smith Tony Battie Tony Delk Travis Hansen Tyson Chandler Udonis Haslem Vladimir Radmanovic Walter McCarty Wang Zhizhi Willie Green Zaza Pachulia Zydrunas Ilgauskas Zeljko Rebraca Zendon Hamilton if we go after a pg id go after earl watson, bobby jackson, ronald 'flip" murray, larry hughes if we go for another sg id go after cuttino, or korver, raja bell if we go after a sf id go after radmanovic if we go after a pf tyson chandler, stromile, haslem if we go after a c id go after dalembert
m_cable nice work there. Gosh I love Bobby Simmons. He will be my priority. He is going to be a solid player and star in this league. With Boki gone we can now go after a real SF. CD please get Bobby Siommons by all means possible. Stromile will be nice too but I am not too crazy about him. He comes accross as having a poor/lazy work ethic; his rebounding skills is suspect too. Simmons is priority #1 for me.
I'm telling you guys, Hughes might get more than the MLE because Washington might want to keep together a good thing. But Swift has all the makings of a Joe Smith/Olowakandi situation. He hasn't improved his numbers at all the past couple of years. If you don't keep improving, the potential label starts to come off. Also by my count, there are only 3 teams with significant amounts of cap space and no key free agents. Atlanta, Charlotte, and the Clippers. All of the other teams that will have cap space will probably use much of it to sign their own free agents, like Seattle with Ray Allen, Cleveland with Big Z, and Chicago with their twin toddlers. Unless Atlanta offers him a load of cash, I really think Swift can be had for the MLE. And if Atlanta was going to do that, they could have signed him last summer.
I would go for Earl Watson, Stromile Swift, and Gerald Wallace or Bobby Simmons. Trying to get younger and more athletic.
tyson chandler, daniels , and keith van horn. 1. antonio daniels/sura 2. tmac 3. keith van horn 4. tyson 5. yao that would be a very strong starting five.
I would go for either Daniels or Jaric and/or Chandler (depending on how he finishes out the season he could be had for the MLE).
A lot of guys getting mentioned like Chandler, Radman, Jaric, Korver, Wallace, and Dalembert are restricted free agents. It will be very difficult to sign these guys away from their current teams using only the MLE. Oh and I'd love to bring Mobley back. But he still seems pretty sore about the whole trading thing.
On 610 sports radio 12-30-04 --5:00 pm - Rich Lord mentioned trading Mo and #1 round draft pick to Chicago for Chandler. I would do this - we need a power forward in the worst way and Chandler is young.. We will never get Stromile Swift- in this vein - Jerry West made it known last off seson - Summer '04 that Memphis will match any offers for Swift when he becomes a free agent. We do not have the resources to get Swift..... For that matter why woud Swift want to come to a team like us?? He has a .500 potential team he is on now. I do not want Larry Hughes - he is all potential and I suspect he would clash with our coach -chemistry problems.. Simmons looks good to me though...
Udonis Haslem.... Power forward FG% 51 FT% 84.... REB.Game 8.8 Presently plays with Shaq so he'll know how to play off a big man and his stats always go up when Shaq is out. Only 6'8 but a banger, hustler and rebounder, knows his role. Kyle Korver....Small Forward is presently averaging almost 3 3pointers a game. Also hits 88% of his free throws. You want a shooter to help spread the floor, this guy is it. A smaller version of Matt Bullard. He's a hustler and he'll come cheap. Can play SG of SF. Listed at 6'7 2 guys who should not only help but be realistic choices for the Rox and their salary cap limitations. Someone mentioned West will keep Swift, I believe he signed a 1 year deal for this year so he'll be a unrestriced free agent next year. Personally I think he's over rated and won't be worth the cash he'll probably get. If he was such a good rebounder don't you think Memphis would be playing him alot more.
jsb, Haslem is the only one on that list that I think will be in the MLE range. Actually, Donyell Marshall too. I would expect most of our MLE to be put towards a rebounding 4, assuming a trade is not made for one before then.
