Is Moving Steve Francis or Cuttino Mobley Inevitable?

When did I say that no one else can give what Steve can? I said that Steve does a lot of things that Cat doesn't. And yes T-Mac can rebound, score, and do a lot of other things, but we don't have T-Mac and most likely never will.

I'm not going to refute any of your other points because it just takes too long.

But to name some offers that Orlando would take over the Rockets: any package w/ Paul Pierce, and package w/ AI, the Marion, Johnson, Jake V., and 1st round pick package from Suns, etc...

 

Steve out performed Paul Pierce in the post season, had a better showcase in more regular seasons games than Pual Pierce.

Steve is AI, only more athletic and younger.

So only competition we have involves the suns. A two team running, is still Houston in the running.

 

There's where you indicating you couldn't find other PG's couldn't do what Francis does.

Besides, now that i think about it further. His assists and turnover ratio, and his bad playmaking skills, null and voids the "PG" argument.

 

Another thing, Francis can do things Cat can, unfortunately, rebounds aside, it all lies in athleticism and immature desire which can only flourish in teams where they mostly face lousy opposition, in this case the east.

 

aren't you guys about tired of this? either Steve goesor he stays, either way nobody will know for months and there is no point in debating it ad nauseum.

 

The Key and x-factor in any Tmac trade would be Grant Hill. If Orlando plans to dump Tmac, then that means they plan on rebuilding. If that happens they cant rebuild with an aging and large contract Grant Hill. If anyone is able to take Hills contract it would be us. In MoT, and Cato we have assets that orlando needs, a servicable center and a true low post offensive threat. All we need is one of them to be shipped off with francis and the TE to be able to make the trade possible. Pike could be a throwin also since they need shooters. The key to rebuilding is young talent and no bad contracts, and compared to Hill, MoT or Cato contract doesnt look so bad. Cato could average a double double if he played more and 7 million a year for a good center is not too bad. I doubt they will consider MoT, but he is better then any of their other forwards. Orlando would think twice about trading for either Cato or MoT, but would they think twice if they got the oppurtunity to shipoff Hills contract for a servicable players with contracts that are not so bad.

Remeber MoTs contract ends the same time as Hill, but nearly at half the price.

 

Mcgrady and Hill have the same contracts - both can opt out this year, or they can let it expire after next year.
If Orlando decides to rebuild, a huge contract that expires in 2 years is better than a contract that lasts twice as long and actually has more owed (MoT contract).

The Rockets have 2 huge problems:
1. Good enough to win (which means none of those nice lottery picks) but not good enough to win it all (can't match talent of the big boys).

2. Salary constraints: Since they can't improve through the draft, they need to improve through free agency (unless/until Yao turns into Hakeem). Several problems and positives with that:
Problem) I consider MoT's contract to be one of the worst on the team. It is large and long. It is over 8 mil and growing and runs through 2007.
SF is max.
Yao will be max in 2006.
So, with MoT on the payroll through 2007, we will be stuck maxing Yao before we get free of his contract - which means we will not be able to pursue free agents worth more than the exception - before 2010.
Positives) Cato and Cat's contracts expire in 2006, along with Yao's. If we don't get bogged down with new long term contracts and could get rid of MoT's contract, we could improve - in 2006(two years away).

Solution - do what it takes to get rid of MoT!!!!!
At least that way we could add a third strong player (or 4th if we resigned Cat)

I agree that SF might be traded because it is the only way we can improve. BUT - don't give him away.
Anyone watching this team can see that SF is the on that can score (and has to) when the rest of the team is being shut down (which happens way too often). Noone else has the pure talent to MAKE it happen. So, if he is traded, get a lot - because he might become Iverson at his next home.

Finally, trade ideas:

1) Not a big fan of TMac but, if Orlando wanted to deal and they liked SF - SF, Cato, Cat for TMac, Gooden.
Orlando gets its backcourt and a center/PF to backup PF Howard and C Okafor - should put Oralndo around the 5th seed in the east next year). Rockets get PF with potential and a star SG.

2) Trade MoT
Mot, Cato and TE to Portland for Stoudamire and DDavis
We give up contracts that expire in 2006 and 2007 for two contracts that expire in 1 year. We lose the trade exception and have to pay the $22 mil those 2 players get in 2005. Portland only has to pay the $15 mil for those 2 guys next years - which saves them another $15 mil in luxury taxes. That covers the $23 mil left on the contracts after 2005 (2 yrs for MoT and 1 yr fot Cato at approx $8 mil each year). Portland also has other contract epxiring in2005, so MoT and Cato won't make them pay luxury taxes in 2006.

MoT+TE for Grant Hill contract (try to include Cato for Gooden)
Orlando gets a backup PF(one that might complement Howard and be happy with 12 minutes a night) and a TE that it might turn into something. We accelerate MoT's 4 year contract into a 2 year contract and get rid of him.
If we can include another player to get Gooden - then we come out way ahead.

MoT+TE for New York/Dallas contracts that expire in or prior to 2006.
Isiah expects to operate way over the cap just like Cuban. So, either will live with a sixth man with a bad contract - especially if they get a TE he can use to add another high dollar player.

MoT to Chicago
Try for ERob - contract is 1 year shorter and Chicago want to get rid of him. Who knows, MoT might be able to help Curry or Chandler develop.
Or MoT+TE for ADavis - Bulls get more cap room and a cheaper backup PF. Rockets get a contract that expires in 2006 - and get a better PF - one that would start ahead of Cato. Better short term and long term.

MoT+TE for Jalen Rose: Gives us a solid 3. Gives Toronto cap relief or TE exception to use in another deal plus a 6th man.

 

39

 

Francis for President! Better than Dubya any old day.