Can a capologist answer a question on the TE? Can the 4.2 TE be traded like a player with a difference of 25% and 100k, or is it for the exact amount of, or less, of the actual TE? If it is like a player, then we could add the difference, which would be 5.35 mil with 12.5 annual raises instead of 8.5, making our TE better than the MLE. Of course, all we have to do is add another year to make it beat the other teams on the MLE, or for that matter, the TE. I'm really hoping we don't have to trade another player in this transaction. Hopefully, we can get it done with a TE and a second round pick for next year. We can't mix players with a TE anyway.
Dallas, Minni, and the Rockets can only offer the MLE. From what I'm reading, the dispute is in the # of years the teams are offering.
So, let's say is comes down to everyone offering the same number of years, and price is about the same. Then, is it so clear-cut that he'll end up here? I would like to say yes, but I'm hesitant to be so confident, only to have the hopes shattered (especially after the draft and us getting screwed by Portland).
Depth would be an issue. However, I wouldn't want Bowen and Deke playing a lot of minutes anyway. We would be left with: James / Alston T-Mac Battier / Novak Howard / Hayes Yao That wouldn't be that bad with the MLE and the 2 TE's still on the table.
Not playing a lot of minutes...fine. But, this would still be giving up too much. We'd absolutely have to have a backup center, and to replace Deke, that'd be a feat. Ok, he can't score, but he can rebound and block shots, even at his age. So to find a quality backup Center, and a quality back up SG, that's tough for the lack of money we'd be able to offer. Not only that, we still need (arguably) a third PG, but we could deal without. However, I'm not convinced that Novak will be good enough to play (consistent) backup minutes at the 3. I just think we'd be giving up too many players with too little money to work with in return. Old or not, Deke is still a GREAT value for us, and Head...well, we saw what he did for us last year, and with his salary, he's also a VERY GOOD value.
We could sign Antonio Davis and Darrell Armstrong to the Vetrans Minimum. Trade the 4.2 Trade Exception and a future 2nd rounder for Fred Jones. Split the MLE between Rausual Butler and Melvin Ely. Re-sign Frahm. James/Alston/Armstrong T-MAC/Jones/Frahm Battier/Butler/Novak Ely/ Howard/Hayes Yao/ Davis
NO. We have a TE of 4.2m. That plus 100k is all we are allowed to take back in salary. You are trying to combine exceptions in the same trade.
The Rockets need players and can offer guranteed playing time, James wants to play in Houston and he controls his destiny; barring some significant money issues (and the Rockets are willing to offer top market value) you'd have to think this will get done. Dallas has no real monetary advantage unless Cuban just wants to go crazy on the number of years. They have players that will command playing time in front of James, possibly including Ager. If Yao and Tmac stay healthy the Rockets are a playoff team. Mike James is not the only thing the Rockets need but he is a player we can get even with our limited assets and flexibility.
I don't really see the point in getting Fred Jones unless we lose Head. Why should we add another undersized 2 guard? We need to add athleticism and length and height at our guard spots. I understand taht Jones is very athletic, but he dosent have the body we need in a 2 guard. I think with the MLE we should add an athletic 4 or a 4 that can shoot. I hope that we get MIke James with a SnT, that would be perfect for us.
But you're only looking at it from one side. Toronto can either: (1) SNT James to us for the TE and Head; (2) SNT James to us for just the TE; or (3) get nothing if James signs for MLE. Under Scenario 3, Toronto loses out on the chance to get an asset. Houston loses the MLE but keeps Head. Probably a net loss. (Maybe some debate, depending on whether the MLE could have been used to improve the team more than Head staying.) Under Scenario 2, both teams benefit. Under Scenario 1, both teams benefit, but more benefit to Toronto than Houston. If we tell Toronto that we would rather lose the MLE (scenario 3) than Head (scenario 1), Toronto would be a little crazy to not pursue Scenario 2. Of course, that depends on what else the Mavs and Minny is offering and also depends on James' willingness to go to those teams. Both of those factors appear to weigh in our favor and take power away from Toronto.
Scenario 1 does not work unless the TE is for MJ and Head is traded straight up with another Raptor. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=969907729483 MEETINGS SET: Raptors free-agent guard Mike James is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas today as he tries to find a new place to ply his trade. Because those three teams are all over the NBA salary cap and the Raptors have no interest in taking on any of their marginal players, it looks as if a sign-and-trade deal — which would allow James to increase his salary — is out and he will have to agree to sign on for the so-called mid-level cap exception of approximately $5 million (U.S.) to start.
the extra height is only an advantage if a player knows how to use it, can play defense. jones has a similiar build to wesley, is known for defense/perimeter defense, but unlike wesley he's running on years younger legs.
I strongly believe that our third PG will be pulled off of the Summer League roster. That's JLIII, Darius Washington or Hollis Price. I'm pulling for Price. As for a backup C, there are a few options out there. Lorenzen Wright, Cato, Pollard to name a few. We should be able to get one of these guys at the vet min. This would leave the MLE and TE's to get a 2 and a 4. TE for Stevenson and MLE for Songaila? MLE for Fred Jones and TE for Songaila? There would be lots of options here.
Apparently James is really close to signing with us!! http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2006/07/06/1670676-sun.html
To take this a step further, if James has decided to sign with the Rockets, it would serve him well to tell Toronto that he is going to sign with the Rox for 3 years MLE, under which Toronto gets nothing. Then Toronto would be foolish not to take the TE and James gets a 4 ro 5 year contract under the TE
MJ and Battier. We could've done much worse on our first 2 offseason aquisitions. When does the season start? I'm ready to watch some basketball!
To me this is bad news. I would be estatic with it at first but the more I think about it the more I am worried about Cuban. This trade for Croshere just gave the Mavs an expiring contract to waive in front Torontos face if it comes to a S&T. We all know Toronto did not want to S&T with Dallas before the trade but now this would give them much more cap space for next year. Its very inviting for Colangelo and a young team on the rise. Consider me worried.
