James close to Sign With Rockets for 30million 5 years?

Well In the other thread you wanted to make the 4 th year the Team option, now you are suggesting a 5 year with TE is OK- so basically you are suggesting that with a 1 Million differential this Team will somehow be screwed ( Signing for TE 5 years Vs MLE for 4years- per your suggestion).

So much for a credible arguement!

 

A 4 year deal with the full MLE is a nobrainer. If James agrees, and Toronto doesn't want too much (rights to VSpan or Novak at the MOST), for the TE even better.

In fact we should not lose out on MJ for a 5th year with the TE route if it comes down to it. Yes he will be overpayed his last year or two. Then again we are getting a vet coming off a fanstatic year both in terms of production and efficiency for 9 mil to cover the 1st two years, and that is a heck of a deal on the front end.

It is very important James is a Rocket and the alternatives in free agency are much inferior. Given the effort to "win now" we absolutely should not lose him over 1 year's raise. 4 year full MLE or 5 years starting at 4.3 using the TE. I am fine with either and the Rockets should be too.

 

This is from a Minnesota paper today, July 7:

James, one of the biggest names remaining on the free-agent market, was a busy man Thursday. He met with the Houston Rockets and had a long talk at Cox Pavilion with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

"Minnesota is definitely one of my top (choices)," James said. "They have one of the best players in the NBA in Kevin Garnett. I've been a fan of Kevin since I've been in the game. It would be an honor for me to play with somebody like that, because I think he thinks like me as far as how I approach the game, and he would bring out the best in me."

Doesn't rule us out but was worth passing along...

 

I honestly think one of the biggest reasons the deal hasn't been made yet is that Mike James is LOVING being in the spotlight. As one of the top free agents he's getting VIP treatment from people like Kevin McHale, Mark Cuban and the media. Considering how generally under-rated Mike James has been, this attention has to be like crack for his massive ego.

 

I think the primary reason no deal is in place is because the Rockets have not offered a full MLE (5 years with max raises), and probably only a 3 year one. Hopefully in the end the difference will be split and Minny doesn't outbid us. This is begin handled by agents and it is a business, this is the last contract Mike James will get.

 

Perhaps, but you can't tell me he isn't eating the attention up!

 

Exactly what I was thinking about this little go-around he's having. He knows it's Houston.

 

I recall Mike James saying that Van Gundy coming to his house last week was the first time a coach came to house to recruit him EVER. That includes high school. My guess is Mike simply hasn't gotten enough love, and is milking it for all its worth.

Might as well, given his age, this may be the first and last time he gets this kind of attention.

 

Mike is loving the attention. No doubt about it. I'm hoping that he's pretty much a done deal to the Rox, but just wants to make everybody sweat it out. Just like with Lebron and his extension.

 

Being that there's only 3 choices, he ain't lying.

 

I wouldnt be too sure about that.....Mark Cuban is pretty convincing guy and it seems alot of players would not mind playing for Mavs. But it would be the smartest thing James could do is sign with the Rox because not only he gets the money he wants he also will get, most likely, starter position and would be recognized alot more than other teams.

 

Excactly

 

Hopefully no deal has been announced because the Rox are trying to work a sign and trade with toronto instead of the MLE so they can use the MLE on someone else. I only hope the rox dont give anything of value up to get him though cuz i think they are the frontrunners anyway and can not give away depth.

 

This is what I said:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=115011&page=2&pp=20

Now, what point are you trying to make? I tell you what, it's OK. Somehow, I'll manage without further illumination.

 

The latest and greatest...


July 7, 2006, 8:31PM
James may make decision Monday

•Rockets still in the hunt

•Guard weighs deals from three teams

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

LAS VEGAS - Mike James, the Rockets' primary free agent target, has postponed his decision about where he would play next season until Monday, James' agent Bill Duffy said.

James is choosing between offers from the Rockets, Mavericks and Timberwolves, all above the salary cap and limited to offering the mid-level exception unless they can reach agreement with the Toronto Raptors on a sign-and-trade deal. James chose to wait until Monday when he is scheduled to meet with Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

Duffy said James initially considered the Rockets the front-runner but now is torn between the interest all three teams have shown.

"Now that Michael's sitting down with people ... the playing field has been balanced," Duffy said Friday. "In fairness to the entire process and all the teams that have expressed interest, Mike wanted to sit down with everybody. My belief is by Monday afternoon, we want to have this team figured out."

Duffy said he there is "ongoing dialogue" about a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Raptors. That would allow teams to pay more than the mid-level exception, expected to begin at about $5 million, but there are do not seem to be many players with appropriate contracts that would interest the Raptors.

The Rockets have a $4.2 million trade exception in which they could trade only a draft pick to acquire James in a sign-and-trade, giving him larger raises than if signing him outright.

"That is being contemplated," Duffy said. "He loves Houston, there's no question about that."

 

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4032171.html


I consider it's a bad sign. Normally under the similar situations, they would just announce that he would sign with Mavs after the meeting on monday. Hope I am wrong again.

 

The people on the (People on streets) edge of the night
And loves (People on streets) dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

 

Carlos beltran any one?

 

a meeting with avery johnson? do i have to go crazy? i'm not liking this at all. if he goes to the mavs this is probably the worst offseason imaginable as a rocket's fan. we need him just barely more then we need the mavs to not get him.

is he having a meeting with van gundy, is tracy in his ear on a daily basis? what's going on from a rocket's perspective feigen? the only thing i've heard is the meeting in vegas with CD but that's it.

 

considering jeffries and washington have reached an impasse(http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20060706-115734-4704r.htm), i doubt that washington would match a long-term MLE deal, the same kind that Mike James is trying to get.

"They have no intentions of overpaying him. As a restricted free agent the Wizards can match any offer Jeffries receives.
The Wizards, at least for now, don't appear to be interested in doing a sign-and-trade, despite that fact that Philadelphia and Phoenix are believed to have approached the Wizards, who already have tendered Jeffries the required one-year qualifying offer.
Miller's position is that Jeffries' value to the Wizards is higher than what it is for other teams because he knows the system well. The 6-foot-11 Jeffries played all five positions last season.
'He wants to do something that he will be happy with over the next five years...'"

there's no way washington matches a 5-yr MLE deal.