But Cuban was saying before Houston got the first pick that he didn't think that Ming was going to be that good. For this to work, he'd have to have Wang on his side as well.
Agreed that Cuban did not like Ming, and did say so. However, I think that once Houston got the top pick it and it became apparent that they were after Ming (as are about 20 other NBA teams by the way) then I think he would say anything to hinder Houston's chances of landing Ming. Cuban is not stupid, nor is he a good judge of basketball talent. He is a smart man, who let's his coaches judge the talent. Cuban is a budding Jerry Jones, for sure. DaDakota
Getting Wang with the MCE is a very good idea, if only to help Ming adjust. Well worth the price, plus some skills. Dump Collier and Walt, Draft Ming, sign Wang, resign Francis. Do something with the 15 - draft a player, trade it, whatever. Done. Ming Cato Wang Griffin Taylor KT Rice KT Wang (draft?) Mobely Torres Rice Francis Mooch Tbrown? plus 3 injured reserve TMo stiff 1 (Collier?) stiff 2 (Walt?) Plenty of combinations - makes us a difficult, versitile team.
pasox2- Walt Williams is an unrestricted FA and unless Steve Francis makes a big fuss (the Maryland thing) he will not be offered a contract. Jason Collier has one more year on his Rockets contract with a team option next summer. Colliers short and cheap contract and the fact his is a serviceable backup C gives him some trade value. I would look for Collier to be offered along with KT & #15 for a vet and/or moving up in the draft. Those who feel that Ming is a good idea from a marketing standpoint ought to love the idea of Wang and Ming both on Houston. One high-profile game instead of 2 game to be broadcast to the Orient (sorry for excluding Bateer but I feel he is less skilled and less marketable). Aren't there enough positives about Wang Zhi Zhi to outbid Sterling for his services?
Gater - agree 100%. I just thought Walt might get a vet min offer cause he's everyone's best pal. Nice thought on Collier. Hope so. Ming plus Wang in limited mins = Rox gear sales $$$. Plus, an effective spread-the-defense, un-guardable halfcourt set. Think about Sacremento trying to get that last second shot. Who's going to block Ming, Wang, and Eddie? If they come out, Steve and Cuttino carve up the inside, or shake free for the jumper. The only worry is the inbounds pass, if those giants just swing the ball high. They already know how to play together, anyway.
So basically you are saying you would trade Kandi for Wang. Man that is the oldest story in the word. by the way, I think I am taking the high road by laying off the "... enter Wang" set up.
Actually Wang is a Restricted FA not unrestricted. Nellie has also said that they will match any offer Wang is given up to the 4.5 mil exception. So if the Rockets or any other team wants Wang they will have to pay him more than 4.5 mil. That being said I think he will sign with Golden State. He has a HUGE fan base in the Bay Area, and spends most of time there when not in Dallas. I also think that Wang's situation could now definately help the Rockets with Yao. Wang called the Chinese Gov.'s bluff to never let him play in the NBA again if he didn't return. Now they're saying that they will let Wang play in the summer league and training camp. If they let Yao do the same then my opinion on drafting Yao changes. If Yao is allowed to participate in summer league play and training camp then Yao is without doubt the player the Rockets should draft. Also on a side note. Dallas isn't the ones that were not developing Wang. That fault belongs tothe Chinese Gov. Nellie actually wanted Wang to be a starter but his lack of knowledge on the NBA game led to his limited minutes. The Chinese Gov is responsible for Wang's underdevelopment not the Mavs.
I wouldn't mind getting Wang to help Ming get comfortable with America and the NBA. He might be a good addition on the court as well. I think he could play a Turkoglu role for the team and provide some great outside shooting off the bench.
I believe you are incorrect, sir. Wang was a second round pick and his original contract was for 2 years. Because Wang was/is a 2nd rounder, Dallas does not have an option year on Wang and thus Wang is unrestricted. Dallas only has Early Bird rights which means Dallas can pay Wang the greater of 175% of 465k or the average player salary. Both should be well less than the MCE.
I think, to make sense of this along with Nellie's comments... The Dallas get to offer up to the $4.5 million exception for Wang, and that's something they're prepared to do. Nellie might've assumed this would be enough to get him back. But Wang wants to develop. So, don't be surprised if he goes elsewhere for less.
Yes he was. As is Wang this year. I'm trying to find a free agent list with Wang on it to prove that he is a Restricted Free Agent not unrestricted.
I believe you are incorrect, sir. Wang was a second round pick and his original contract was for 2 years. Because Wang was/is a 2nd rounder, Dallas does not have an option year on Wang and thus Wang is unrestricted. Dallas only has Early Bird rights which means Dallas can pay Wang the greater of 175% of 465k or the average player salary. Both should be well less than the MCE. The MCE is the average salary GATER- Wasn't Cuttino a restricted free agent after 2 years of a 2nd round contract? yep he was. He got the big contract because Houston was under the cap. If a team is under the cap obviously they can offer whatever they want to a player.
TexasG - Look at RealGM - they have Raef listed as restricted but Zhi Zhi is not. If Wang is restricted, how can it be that he is not returning calls from the Mavs and states he wants to play summer league for the Clipps or Warriors? That doesn't add up. NIKE - Are you saying that Cuttino was restricted? As I recall, he visited Toronto but decided to stay here. I don't recall any offer sheet or option discussion. Cuttino's contract for 2001-2002 was less than the MCE.
Big contract? Cuttino will make less in 2004-2005 than Rice, Taylor and Cato do NOW. I think you are confusing the cap room the Rockets had last summer with Cuttino's summer of 2000. Cuttino made less then the MCE in 2001-2002.
