I was thinking if we don't think Nachbar is the real deal and don't get a shot at Woods/Jeffires we should consider the following trade: Houston trades: 1st round pick (#15) 2nd Round Draft Pick #38 PF Kenny Thomas (14.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.9 apg in 34.5 minutes) PF Jason Collier (4.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.4 apg in 14.6 minutes) Houston receives: 1st round pick #18 SG Mike Miller (15.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg in 33.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: -3.1 ppg, -6.2 rpg, and +0.8 apg. Orlando trades: 1st round pick (#18) SG Mike Miller (15.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg in 33.7 minutes) Orlando receives: 1st round pick #15 2nd Round Draft Pick #38 ( ppg, rpg, apg in games) PF Kenny Thomas (14.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.9 apg in 72 games) PF Jason Collier (4.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.4 apg in 25 games) Change in team outlook: +3.1 ppg, +6.2 rpg, and -0.8 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Ya'll may think Orlando would never do this but think of it this way. The difference between the #15 and #18 will be big for Orlando. At #15 they will almost assuredly be able to get Haislip or Stoudamire, but both will be gone by #15. They desperately need more interior defense and a more athletic front court which they get in a big way from Haislip/Stoudamire, and KT adds dimension too (Collier is a throw in obviously). For us we get M. Miller and then can get defensive sf/sg with the 18 pick (C. Jeffries, Welsh, Prince, etc). If think it would really help both teams.
Stoudemire will almost assuredly be gone by 15, and haislip may very well be gone too. The Magic haven't even had Marcus in for a workout and reportedly like Ely, a player who would be available at 18. Like I mentioned in the Mike Miller thread in the Rockets 2002 forum, if the Magic move up, it's going to be for a player in the mid lottery...not just three picks. Kenny Thomas is a player who would be good for the Magic, but not at the expense of Mike Miller. Langhi and Collier have no spots on the Magic, not with Garrity and DeClercq around....they'd merely be cap fillers in this deal, and I thjink Langhi is a FA anyway. Something to consider, sure, but it's going to take more to get Mike Miller or he likely stays in Orlando.
mfclark: Do you think KT and 15 would be enough for Mike Miller, if the Magic held their 18th pick? I'd be a big fan of Miller on the Rocks... he gives us some of those point forward skills that Odom would bring, and is a substantially better perimeter shooter, something we need. I like Kenny too, and I think he and the 15 would be a little much from the Rockets talent-wise, but we do have quality depth and we might not want to take on another player/contract at pick 15.
I wouldn't trade the #15 pick and KT for Mike Miller if I am the Rockets unless I get the #18 or minimally a future #1. I agree Orlando might hold out for better than KT + #15 (and Collier for salary, not Langhi) + our 2nd rouner for Miller and #18. But if the #15 is Haislip or Stoudemire (neither for sure will be there at #18), I believe getting this years #15 plus KT would make them a much more formidable team than Miller and whomever they get at #18. I also doubt Ely will be there at 18 as well and the best they can do is probably stregnthen their PG spot (F. Williams, Dickou, Welsh) . mfclark, I hope you are right that Stoudemire and Haislip (especially Haislip) are gone by the 14th pick, because that all but assures us at getting at some real good SF prospects at #15 (some combination of Nachbar, J. Jeffires and Woods left over) and in such case I wouldn't want to trade down anyway. I only want to trade down if Haislip, Rush and Ely are the best players on the board at #15--all whom would be much more valuable to someone else.
Perhaps. Picks 15 and 18 would allow the Magic to save a little salary in 2003 over Mike Miller, plus potentially allow them to nab a replacement SF in Nachbar or Woods as well as a PF like Ely or Stoudemire. Added in with KT and it's probably a net improvement over Mike Miller, but the Magic think the world of Miller. Essentially, he fits the Magic's offense almost exactly like he would Houston's - two penetrating guards to dish to him for the open 3, although he can drive to the hole and occasionally (with heavy emphasis on occasionally) post up his defender. Like I mentioned over the the main forum, KT and a post player would solve a lot of the Magic's post problems, at least for the next year. I like KT a lot, too, and his contract is very appealing to many teams around the league. But, I feel many people underrate him and with the arena topic still ongoing in Orlando, people may wonder why the Magic are dealing their rookie of the year for another rookie and someone they haven't heard of before...especially Tracy McGrady. He knows KT - but his friendship with Miller can't be underrated. The trade makes sense....but do I think it'll get done? Probably not...unless something's changed in the team's perception of Miller.
I think even if Stoudemire and Haislip are on the board that there will be at least two of those SF prospects available, namely Nachbar. Tayshaun Prince should be available as well, and if Woods' fall is real, he might be available as well. Personally, I'm high on Stoudemire and about as low as you can get on Haislip - whoever takes him is going to get the next Darvin Ham, in my opinion. Maybe that's why he's projected to Milwaukee a lot, lol. Jeffries will likely take a trade up to get; Woods is about 50/50; and Nachbar should likely be available no matter the situation. Nachbar is probably the guy who would best fit the Rockets, anyway, from a "win-now" standpoint.
