If you were GM what moves would you make August 1st.

Thank god you aren't the GM!
Deke+Wesley+James for Stoudmire at around $8M per? thank god you aren't the GM! Wesley for a Sn'T Stoudmire at about $3M per is fair for all parties if Portland wants a serviceable vet. 2 guard with an expiring contract. not to say Deke is a FREE agent and he's not going to the jailblazers as the last stop of his career! ok, although you just suggested a stupid proposal, you'd still be GM of the year if you can somehow sign Watson, Person, White, and Willis with noly the LLE and Vet. Min.

 

no worries... I am a laywer, I can take that broke a$$ rug wearin sucka !

 

you are funny guy

 

1. Resign both Deke and Barry.

2. Trade Sura or James/2nd Round Pick for Stoudamire.

3. Trade Wesley for Eric Williams straight up.

Lineup:

Stoudamire-Head
Sura-Barry
TMac-Williams
Swift-Howard
Yao-Deke

 

I could roll with that. Looks good.


Bottom line...we are in a position of strength here. We got Swift. That was huge. The Rockets dont need to make any rash decisions to take on big contracts. We just got Swift on the cheap and our cap looks pretty good right now. The Rockets just have to be patient. Their patience payed off with Swift. We targeted him, showed him we were VERY interested and our patience and diligence payed off. Not to mention the Tmac/Yao factor. And Tmac publicly campaigning for people can't hurt either.

Our "patience" might payoff in getting Damon Stoudamire with the LLE. Sure there are teams that might pay more for him but maybe at this stage of his career he wants to stay "home" and play for Houston and be a starter on this great team we are building. Patience.

The Rockets should also be patient to see what happens with Michael Finley. I am not saying wait around until perhaps Oct 1st (the deadline to release guys in the amnesty rule), but see what happens with Finley at least early on. Adding a guy like Finley to this team with the LLE would be even MORE of a coup than Stoudamire in my opinion!

I think the Rockets should resign Deke and Barry. They both are big parts of our team. Deke is good for Yao and is a QUALITY reserve in small minutes and Barry brings all sorts of intangibles to the team.

This is a "no brainer" but the Rockets also have to sign Yao to his extension. This should be DONE before the season starts to get that out of the way. Then we can stop reading about the Yao to Laker rumors.

I think David Wesley and his 4.9M expiring contract is the PRIME candidate to be moved. He has the MOST value of all of our expiring contracts. Guys like Head, Sura, Barry and even James can play some 2 for us. So Wesley is expendible. If we could move Wesley for DS then fine.

Ultimately I would LOVE to be able to move Wesley and a 2006 1st rounder for someone like Desmond Mason or Mo Peterson. Guys that have nice length and are young. Guys that can be part of our Yao/Tmac/Swift core. I think Mason probably is unattainable with our given assets but Peterson might be depending on how the season goes for the Raps.

 

If the Rockets are able to acquire Stoudamire, I think it'll have a chain reaction to what moves they'll end up making the rest of the summer.

From that point on, I don't see them looking to add any more big name offensive minded players to the team (Mason, Watson, Peterson, etc.). I don't think this team can support more than 4 or 5 players that average double digit scoring. Yao, Mcgrady, Swift, and Stoudamire will supply us with all the offense we need. We need to look at more true role players that'll do the little things like playing strong defense, rebounding, making smart passes, hustle plays, etc.

I think Mike James will be moved if the Rockets acquire Stoudamire. He's playing for a contract next year and he's not going to accept less playing time. With Stoudamire likely to play at least +30 minutes, and James possibly having to share backup minutes with Sura and Head, he's almost assuredly going to be leaving after the season ends. We might as well get something for him right now instead of losing him at the end of the year for nothing. I would look to move him to Toronto for Eric Williams. We need a backup for Mcgrady and possibly for Swift as well, if we end up trading Howard for Stoudamire. Toronto was not happy with Alston at the point last year and Alvin Williams career looks like it's over. Good move for both teams.

We're definitely going to have to acquire some bigger guards to compensate for Stoudamire's height. We were already too small in the backcourt as it is. I certainly do not want to go into the playoffs next season and watch as the opposing team's guards basically jump over our guards for rebounds. A big and strong guard like Greg Buckner would fit nicely next to Stoudamire.

My roster would be similar to that one, but I would move Sura to the bench, where I think he's best suited, and acquire a more defensive minded shooting guard to put next to Stoudamire (Greg Buckner, Trenton Hassell, Doug Christie, etc.).

Buckner/Sura/Barry
Stoudamire/Head

I would essentially use the same formula that was so successful for us last year. With Stoudamire playing a similar role to Sura (playmaker) and Buckner a similar role to Wesley (defensive specialist). Difference being, Stoudamire's a better playmaker than Sura and Buckner is not as much of a liability defensively as Wesley when matched up against bigger guards.

 

Well that is based on what the Rox themselves have said.. obviously this is all speculation. Pretty clear though that if Baxter doesn't stick with US, he will assuredly stick with SOME team this year.

And Glover, well, surely the guy would be at least as good (pending what he shows in camp) as anyone else we have currently on the roster backing up TMac..

But you're right, it's just as likely that neither of them joins the team... leaving us with just about the same team we ended the season with.. I dunno about that.. like I said, we DO have a lot of dead weight on the team as it currently stands.

 

I agree with this, and might add if we add DS we may be done with any substantial moves until we see how the team plays early in the season.

The only reason I move James if because Portland wants him in a S&T for DS, and we need to do that to make it work. IMO James is not far off an ideal back-up for us and behind DS. He brings scoring punch with 2nd unit, and it a good sized, physical and good D playing 1. Good guy to have around if someone is beating up on DS because of his lack of size/strength and you need a change.

As for James not accepting the back-up role (say 20MPG) and/or concerns him playing for a contract and not his team, I think that is a bunk argument. He has done this role most of his career. He was part of a championship team with this kind of role (20MPG inthe year, like 16MPG in the playoffs), when his contract was ending, and by all accounts Larry B and Pistons said he performed the role well and they missed him dearly not having him last year (Arroyo was much less effective and Chancey ended up burned out). DS is 31 or 32, he will need lots of breaks, and we will need a back-up for the future. We have his Early Bird rights, might very well resign him next year even if he does opt out.

It is way too early to count on Head as a primary back-up. Devan Harris was a top 5 or 6 pick who had more experience in that position and he still sucks in that role. We are hopefull for Head, and if he blossums as a PG, yes probably James days are numbered as a Rocket, but it is way to early to conclude he will be the equal or better player (PG in particular) than Mike James. James is one of the better back-up 1s in this league, we will have to have a pretty favorable offer to let him go.

 

I agree desert. James is like Bobby Jackson. He the spark off the bench who scores and creates. No one ever complains about bobby jackson not passing or not that, but when he wasn't playing the kings suffered. You can make the argument that Jackson was the toughest player on the kings. I think you can look at the Rox and say Sura and james are the toughest players on the Rox. I dont think you can gauge that by stats.

 

That’s why moving Bob Sura to the bench and having him back up both guard spots is the perfect situation for him. I view Sura as a much better option to be the leader of the second unit, with his playmaking ability and leadership, than James.

He accepted his role in Detroit basically because he was traded at the trade deadline and there really was nothing more he could do. I’m sure if he had his choice he would much rather be in a situation where he could get more playing time. Notice that he decided to leave Detroit despite the Pistons wanting him back to go to Milwaukee, a place where he would get more playing time and more money. I suspect he’ll do the exact same thing to Houston after the season ends. Which is why I'm in favor of trading him while he still has trade value.

Despite him playing decently in Detroit in 20mpg, there’s no question he’s much more productive when given 25 minutes or more. Just look at his production in Detroit compared to Milwaukee and Houston.

Detroit:
19.7mpg
6.3ppg
.401 FG%
.364 3P%

Milwaukee:
24.8mpg
11.4ppg
.446 FG%
.382 3P%

Houston:
25.6mpg
12.4
.433 FG%
.393 3P%

Field goal percentages all up and nearly twice as many points in only 5 more minutes per game.

He already makes 3.8 million now. It would be ludicrous to give him any more than that simply to play 20 minutes and average 6 points like he did in Detroit. Especially when you consider that we already have plenty of quality backup guards on the team (Sura, Wesley, Head, Barry) and a starting point guard that’ll likely play 30 minutes a game.

 

Hmmmm........, GM you say? Well, mark me down as a GM wannabe.

The first thing I'd do (in fact, I'd be doing it now), would be to contact Chicago about a S&T for Duhon. Chicago has a glut at the PG position (Hinrich, Gordon, Duhon, Pargo, & Williams) & might be willing to do a S&T with Duhon, in order to resign Jayson Williams (PG) real cheap. With Hinrich starting at PG & Gordon at SG, perhaps Chicago could use a veteran player that could play both the PG/SG positions. By trading Duhon, Williams might be more willing to resign with Chicago & perhaps, allow the fans/team to finally realize the dreams they had when they first drafted him.

I'd propose this trade to Chicago:

Houston sends James/expiring contract (Baker?)/2nd round pick (or a conditional #1 pick, if they insist) to Chicago.

Chicago sends a resigned Duhon to Houston.

If they refused, I'd offer Gary Payton the Veterans Minimum, as a temporary fix. While his defense is starting to fade, he's still playing at a higher level than a lot of the promising young players today.

Next, I'd resign Mutombo, Barry, & Padgett.

Finally, I'd offer one of, Finley (assuming he's released), Kittles (you sold me NIKEstrad), Greg Buckner, Wesley Person, Sprewell, & Devin Brown, the LLE & the inside shot at the starting SG position. He'd still have to beat out Sura, though.

That'd give me a roster of:

C: Yao/Mutombo/Swift
PF: Swift/Howard/Padgett/Spoon(IL)
SF: McGrady/Finley/Padgett
SG: Finley/Sura/Barry
PG: Duhon/Sura/Head/Wesley(IL)/Moochie(IL, or released)

That'd be an interesting team to see play.

 

Duhon agreed to a contract with the Bulls

 

Sura is older, more brittle, and definetly not as quick. I'd rather have Sura play more at the 2, and even 3. Besides, with bench players like Deke, Sura or Wesley at the 2, and JH or Spoon or Baxter at the PF, you need an extra guy to score. That is why the ideal starter is more concerned with setting others up and running the O (e.g., DS, or Sura if we don't get another starting caliber PG), the ideal back-up is someone to bring their own offense, play defense, brings energy. James fits that latter bill well.

This is way to small a sampling to make conclusions. For Boston in 03-04 he was getting 30MPG, but wasn't shooting as well as either place in 04-05. Also,
in the playoffs for Detroit James hit 43% of his 3s for the Pistons, on only 9MPG. Of course remember Billips was going 38MPG, noone will mistake James or 99% of the other NBA point guards for Billips (IMO the best overall PG). This year Billips had to play 40+ the last two series and got poor production from back-ups, it really hurt Detroit that James was not on the team.

In sum, there isn't enough data here to say James nees 30MPG, 25MPG, 20MPG or 9MPG to be most effective. On could just as easily argue James has just become a better player and better shooter since his league arrival in 01-02, and his best year was last year. The fact he played about 25 MPG, rather than 30, or 20, is likely inconsequential.

Unlike guys coming off their mega contracts, last year's contract may have been James last big chance to cash on his basketball skill to secure his and his family's financial future. I don't hold it against him in the least if Milwakee just had a better offer than Detroit. It is a lot different from DS coming here, or SAR going to NJ for less than his market rate.

Further in hindsight, as close as Detroit was to a title and as poor as their back-up guards played, I bet the Pistons would have worked a little harder to keep him. They are paying a guy 4+ million (Arroyo) and it cost them a 1st round pick, when resigning James would have been cheaper and got them a better player. Given the few plays that changed game 5 and 7 to SA's favor, this miscalculation last offseason probably cost them a title.

Actually he makes 3.4 mil now. Next year he can make 3.7 mil or opt out. But if he plays well enough to opt out it is still a win-win for us. Worst case, if we now are sure Head can do this role we can let James walk and we got a high quality player this year for only 3.4 mil. We can also sign and trade him then so other teams don't have to give up their MLE. Alternatively, if Head does not appear ready to be a back-up NBA 1, we have 1st crack at resigning James and don't have to use an MLE to do it.

Also, after next year it is most probable Wesley and Barry are gone. Our backcourt will not be nearly as experienced, and James will be playing in the league long after those two and probably Sura as well. Again, we hope Head can do the role of James and make him redudant, than we can have the experienced James back up the young Head, or Head back up another PG (DS), or seek to trade James before the deadline or S&T him next year. It would be foolish to count on Head or any young unproven guy (Jay W) to bring to the team what we known James can do on the NBA level.

Further, keeping James now is well worth the early 2nd round type compensation we could get for him trading him this offseason, unless we trade him specifically to acquire the superior player (S&T for Stoudamire).

 

Considering the dubious start, this has turned into a pretty good discussion. I'll try to pitch in.

Here is a queston. Could Stoudamire improve our defense? I see him as a clear defensive liability due to his hight. But could he be the guy who pressures the ball in an uptempo defense? Get the ball out of their PG's hand and make their second choice initiate the offense.

It would be a situational defense. Short bursts, and only against teams that do not have multiple ball handlers on the floor simeltaneously.

 

Where did you read this?

As far as I know, they're still negotiating & Duhon has already turned down their low ball offer. By trading him to us, they'd get a solid veteran backup PG/SG, a #1 pick, & an expiring contract that drops off the books at the end of the year.

 

I think the Rox need a guy who gets to the ft line and finishes more than they need another spot up guy. When you play teams like det and Sa who doesn't double, what does those spot up guys do? Nothing. If a guy who can get to the rack like G Wallace, Patterson or i 've wanted a guy like Harrington and move T-Mac back to the 2 would force another defensive setup.

 

Considering how well Sura played last season at the point and how well he played in Atlanta at the point, I don’t understand why you would want him to become a full time shooting guard. I thought he looked very comfortable as the floor general of the team last year. His best attribute is his playmaking. In the starting lineup with Mcgrady, Yao and Stoudamire, he’s not going to be able to do nearly as much playmaking as he did last season. In the second unit, he could be THE playmaker on the floor.

A second unit of Sura/Wesley/Barry/Howard/Mutombo makes a lot more sense to me than if you replace Sura with James. You have a penetrate-and-dish type of player in Sura and you have 3 great jump shooters (Wesley, Barry, Howard) to receive his passes and knock down open jumpers. With James instead of Sura, it’s pretty much 4 guys that can shoot, but nobody that can create any open shots. Bench players like Baxter, Spoon, and Mutombo NEED playmakers like Sura to create shots for more than they need scorers like James.

Billups playing 38 minutes in the playoffs and James only getting 9 minutes a game is exactly why I don’t consider him a player that is particularly important to our team anymore. If the Rockets are to acquire Stoudamire, you can pretty much count on him getting at least 35 minutes a game in the playoffs. Which leaves hardly any playing time for Mike James. His usefulness to the team with Stoudamire on our team is MUCH less than it was this past year without Stoudamire. If come playoff time, all we need is 10 quality minutes from our backup point guard, we have plenty of other guards on our team besides James that can give us 10 quality minutes.

If he plays well enough to opt out, he’ll leave. There would be no reason for other teams to agree to a sign and trade, when they can just sign him with the MLE. For the Rockets, it would not be worth signing him to long term contract for any more than what he’s currently making. No matter how well he plays. With Stoudamire here, James’ worth to the team will not be the same as his worth to teams out there that are more desperate for a point guard.

If Wesley, Sura, and Barry are likely to be gone after next year, who’s going to take over for them at shooting guard. We have absolutely nobody. Which is exactly why I would look to move James for a starting shooting guard. At point guard, we will at the very least have Stoudamire, Head and maybe Spanoullis. At shooting guard, we got nothing.

 

Good thoughts, Hottoddie ...

I have to admit, I've been impressed with how JVG and CD have worked together to build a team with good chemistry, so I'm pretty trusting in where they decide to go at this point.

CHI has always had a soft spot for Howard, and he's from that area. I'd approach CHI with Howard for a resigned Duhon or any of their PGs instead. That way, we wouldn't have to give up any picks, and I'm not sure he'll get the playing time here. Of course, if there was any combination of anything, even throwing 3 first round picks, I'd love to get Chandler, but that's a pipedream at this point.

If Stoudamire would sign for the LLE, that would be awesome.

I'd love to pick up Jay Williams, but not if we get Duhon AND Stoudamire.

Then, when the luxury tax vets are released, if Brian Grant would sign cheap, I'd use him to backup Swift at PF. He'd give us some good inside muscle. And, if Finley was also available on the cheap, I'd sign him, if all these FA's really want to come here, as CD has been saying.

We need to trade some of these expiring contracts, just to clear the decks a bit, so I'd approach Toronto about trading disgruntled Eric Williams for either Sura, Wesley or James, or another expiring contract w/2nd round pick. Williams is a poor man's Artest, and would give us some great defensive intensity behind McGrady.

I don't see Spanoulis or Badianne ready this year... we'd need to buy out Norris and Ward, and cut them.

Of course, resign Deke and Barry, and extend Yao's contract.

That would give us:

Yao/Deke
Swift/Grant/Spoon/Baker
TMac/Williams/Barry
Finley/Wesley or James/Head
Stoudamire/Sura/Duhon

That's a nice balance of veterans and youth, and would be a contender this year, IMHO, especially if Yao steps up.

 

Are you a Dallas fan?

 

JHo+ Baker + Moochie for Antonio Davis.

Kirk Hinrich 2007 restricted free agent.