Possibility for Blazers trade: Rockets trade: Kelvin Cato, ~$7.2 mil., 3 years remaining Cuttino Mobley $5.3 mil., 3 years remaining Eddie Griffin $2.3 mil., 3 years remaining Trade Exception: $6.5 mil. Blazers trade: Rasheed Wallace ~$16.6 mil., 1 year remaining Ruben Patterson ~5.3 mil., 4 years remaining Why Rocks do this: get Rasheed. If it doesn't work out, at least you have a lot of cap room. Patterson is a cancer, but he plays good defense. Why Blazers do this: They get a decent center in Cato, good SG in Cuttino and a young PF with potential on a rookie-scale contract. While they lose most of the capspace Rasheed would have given them, they still get the $6.5 mil. trade exception. PLUS, they lose PR nightmare in Patterson. Why Rocks don't do this: Rocks give up a lot of talent and in return, could watch Rasheed walk away in a year a la Gary Payton. Rasheed's on the decline and may not be worth gutting the team for. Saddled with PR nightmare Patterson for four seasons. Makes us thin at center (only Amaechi backing up Yao). Why Blazers don't do this: Blazers want a marquis player in return for Rasheed; may not be satisfied in terms of PR with what they're receiving in exchange. Lose Rasheed's capspace next summer.
If it feels like I'm giving up too much, it's because I'm trying my best not to be a homer. I'm guessing on salaries; don't quote me on it.
I don't see anymore deals. The Rockets just patched up some holes, upgraded the team, and got under the luxury tax. Any other move would put the Rockets OVER the luxury tax.
The Rockets have said before that they would be willing to pay the luxury tax, but only for the right situation.
