Okay here's the reasoning. The rockets don't have a first rounder this year. They can't trade away first rounders in consecutive years. BUT after the draft is over, they can trade away next years first rounder, because the rule doesn't check what happened in previous years, only on future picks. That's why we haven't had a first rounder in two years. The rox couldn't send their pick away yet, but during the draft is when most of the wheeling and dealing takes place, so Orlando did it for them. All that being said, this still could mean that T-Mac is headed elsewhere, so it's time to keep your fingers crossed.
But I wonder if there is some Suns trade going on, with Marion and Johnson along with who they drafted, would ORL want Deng?
What makes people think the Nelson draft was planned!? Nelson wasn't even SUPPOSED to fall that far so I'm praying it doesn't screw up the deal. By the way, Stern hasn't announced the trade because it was stated that all the trades were pushed back until later tonight or tomorrow so that it didn't take away from the draft. From the sound of it all the trades are officials, in fact that Wizards deal was still listed as "proposed" but it was stated the pick was Dallas' pick.
Word had it (Chronicle I think) had Les trying to buy his way into the 1st round this year. I think Nelson is a JVG kind of player. I imagine this might have been a pick for the Rox with future #1 (s?) going to Orlando. All this talk about Phoenix is BS. They won't part with Amare or Joe Johnson, got rid of the #7 for a future#1, and Shawn Marion and any other combo isn't going to get it done. Bottom line folks, Rox have the best package as it stands now unless someone else gets in the mix, TMac will only contract extend with the Rox, so either Orlando deals with the Rox or they lose TMac for nothing next year. Just my $.02
Yes Serge Zwikker has been working out with John Lucas and is great shape. He's been talking to the Rockets about a new 3 year contract. My wife's aunt' brother-in-law mows the the lawn at John Lucas's gym and I got it direct from him.
Here's hoping it's something like this: T-Mac Howard Declerq Gains Nelson for Steve Cat Cato Future #1 $3 million
Orlando drafting Nelson doesn't mean much. Francis is still meeting with the owner of the Magic saturday. I would point to that being way more important than this. A team always has to have a contingency plan.
wasnt paxson already interviewed during the broadcast talking about gordon and deng like they were on his team... maybe it just hasnt been announced but is getting worked out
Ok, the fact that Orlando just picked Anderson V from Brazil (a 6'10 PF) means that they should expect Juwan Howard to be gone. The 31 pick of Phoenix was also a PF which means they aren't looking for replacements for Shawn Marion or Joe Johnson.
Here's something to confirm Jebus' post and help calm us down on #7 being a part of TMac to Phoenix deal. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...4bulls,1,477439.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines Bulls add Deng, Gordon June 24, 2004, 8:29 PM CDT The Bulls added a pair of college standouts in the NBA draft on Thursday, taking Ben Gordon of Connecticut and agreeing to a trade for Duke's Luol Deng. The Bulls took Gordon with the No. 3 selection, then got Deng at No. 7 in a trade agreement with the Phoenix Suns..........
Now THAT would make a potential Nelson to Houston as part of that deal possible. I still hope that Francis big mouth didn't cost the Rockets the deal. If Francis had shut up this deal would have been done a long time ago. And this isn't trashing Francis this is just stating a fact that is ticking me off right now.
