If Daniel's is our target

The idea of the Rockets getting Daniels was more about the Sonics DUMPING his salary on us than anything else. Ridnour is their future at PG and they have flirted with Ronald Murry there as well. Daniels it not in their long term plans so the "thrifty" Sonics might want to just lop him off the payroll if given the chance.

I am sure we have offered them a second round pick for their troubles and that is it. They probably are holding out for more but since we arent desperate we are staying pat as well.

If the Sonics use their MLE to strengthen their team in another area then they might want to dump salary and Daniels could be ours.

 

I doubt they see a Daniels trade as a salary dump. The guy is making peanuts ($2.1 million) and is in the last season of his contract. And while he may not be in their future, he isn't a bad player. Cheap and expiring contract, plus decent talent makes him an actual trade commodity. I'd think they expect to get a decent roleplayer in trade. Pike maybe? A protected 1st round pick?

 

I was under the impression if they signed Fischer we would have traded a first round pick and the trade exception.

By getting Ridnour they probably are looking to keep AD and work Ridnour into the rotation after Daniels leaves at the end of the year.

 

What do the Sonics need really?

Their team is such a mess.

One thing I figured from their board at RealGM is that their fans would be more than happy to swap Booth with Spoon.

But would we be willing to do that? Similar contract, but Booth has one extra year. So maybe they throw in Daniels to make up for it?

We need Booth for one season at least. Following that one season, he has 2 seasons to go at 6M each. I'm sure we could find a teamto dump him on with salaries inflating all over the league.

I doubt JVG would trade one of his guys though. I can't see him trading one of his ex-Knicks.

 

How about MoT for Booth and Daniels? Didn't Seatte try to sign MoT a few years back, right before we overpaid him?

 

Are we comfortable with a Howard/Spoon combo at PF?

The problem is, they'll ask for picks or cash or something in that deal. I would do MoT for Daniels and Booth straight up and give some minutes to Booth at PF, but the Sonics wouldn't do it, I don't think so.

MoT is a very talented scorer. He can score 20ppg given the minutes, and on a good percetnage mind you. Once he gets into very good shape, it won't be too difficult to trade him and he'll be a decent starter on some team in the league. I always envision him being just PERFECT alongside Shaq. Shaq is such a good rebounder/shotblocker, MoT would take tons of pressure off him they'd really feed off each other.

 

Are we comfortable with a Howard/Spoon combo at PF?

Probably not, but now you also have Booth to take up 5-10 minutes per game, you can still go after Stromile Swift with the MLE (if Memphis matches, they match) and you get the PG you definitely need.

The only hesitation from the Rockets perspective is that can you get something better for Taylor? I don't know the answer to that - I guess only CD would.

The problem is, they'll ask for picks or cash or something in that deal. I would do MoT for Daniels and Booth straight up and give some minutes to Booth at PF, but the Sonics wouldn't do it, I don't think so.

MoT is a very talented scorer. He can score 20ppg given the minutes, and on a good percetnage mind you. Once he gets into very good shape, it won't be too difficult to trade him and he'll be a decent starter on some team in the league. I always envision him being just PERFECT alongside Shaq. Shaq is such a good rebounder/shotblocker, MoT would take tons of pressure off him they'd really feed off each other.

I think you answered your questions why the Sonics would do it. They haven't had a post player scoring presence since Shawn Kemp. Taylor gives them a solid starter and allowed them to take Collison and Swift along slowly.

Again, that said, while I don't think MoT ever becomes the player say Juwan Howard is or has been (and Howard is constantly criticized), I do think with 35+ minutes a night on the right team, especially in the East, Mo can put up 17 ppg, 7 rpg - which is decent (heck, these days that should get you $100 million plus, right?) and theoretically maybe should be able to get more in return. Which Eastern Conference teams would be interested in Mo and have a viable package in return?

 

I don't see why they'd be interested but would Milwaukee look into a Joe Smith for MoT swap - fill in the contracts. I've always liked Joe's game and MoT could compliment Etan Thomas' style - but then, so can Joe Smith, and Milwaukee already has him cheaper. Just an idea.