Jay Williams Working Out for Houston : UPDATE - He's coming for a 2nd visit

Argh. You had to mention that disaster.

Every time Strickland went into a game---every time---the Rockets would lose their lead. EVERY time.

OK, worthless venting done.

If we sign Jay Williams, there is another deal going down somewhere, because our guard situation is already more than ridiculous.

 

There's a real probability that we'll sign him. I think the Heat's options are Blake and Payton... A trade must be made in order to follow it up if it happens

 

I think Wesley is making it hard on the Rockets to move him. Apparently, he's been in the gym a lot this summer and has been banging down shots. He's also in a contract year, looking for his last multi-year deal, so he's obviously motivated. I believe we would have already made a move if Wesley hadn't shown up this summer and had acted disinterested in his future. I've gotta hand it to the guy. If every player on the team, played with the hustle and determination that he brings on the defensive end, we would win the championship. His only knock is he is 6 feet nothing. But, if his shot comes back, he's nails in every facet of his game besides the size factor. Tremendous free throw shooter, strong as an ox, defensive digger, who, if his shot comes back (and I think it will), is a major piece. In fact, his lack of height is actually a plus on the kick out spot up 3s. Short guys like him can get that shot off so much quicker than guys with length (eg Sura, or Demar Johnson) and when defenses are rotating out on the kickouts, we need all the quickness and accuracy we can get from the 3 ball shooter. I sure hope if we move him that we get a major piece back.

I'd much rather move out Baker, Moochie, and Ward, for maybe 1 or 2 players and hang on to Wesley if possible. If we could pull off a 2 or 3 for 1 with Minny for a resigned Spree, or really, any team for a good taller 2 guard, then I hope we do that and keep Wesley. I would really only be willing to give up Wesley in a deal for a first rate distributing PG that can shoot such as Tinsley, etc. We are underestimating Wesley's value.

Pull off a 3 for 1 and dump Baker, Mooch, and Ward. Or pull off a 2 for 1 and send a contract to Charlotte for a TE. Then sign JW to a minimum contract and give it a shot. We would still have flexibility to make some changes at midseason.

 

Yall realize if we do sign JayWill, we would have the top to picks in the 2002 draft. That would be ludicrous if JWill can make a descent comeback.

 

Sorry, I can't spell.

 

That is interesting, because if we go ahead and sign JW, we will have 17 players under contract. We already have to cut one player as it is, because of picking up Baxter. If we add JW, that means two will have to go.

Which makes me wonder about something.

You know how, when, at certain times of the year, everyone knows that team so-and-so is trying really hard to trade some player, because they all know that if the team CAN'T trade the player, he is going to simply be released anyway. So usually the team desperately trying to trade the player is unable to get anything for the guy, because everyone knows they can just sign him outright after he is cut.

Now that's all fine and good, but I wonder about that in the Rox' current situation. It doesn't seem to me to be quite the same, which I guess is a good thing. Because it's not the PLAYERS from us that anyone would want (why would anyone want Baker, Ward, or Mooch as players?), but their soon-to-be-expiring contracts. So if we cut them outright, they may as well just retire, because no one will sign them. No one covets our players, but there is a possibility that some teams might covet the pieces of paper that go along with them.

So the question is: assuming that no team in their right mind would bother to sign Baker, Mooch or Ward if we cut them, exactly which teams out there would be so enamored of 2 (or maybe even all three) of the expiring contracts that they would be willing to take them all on this year and send us only one player back in return? Is there even one team out there for whom this would make sense? Honestly, I do not follow every other team in the league all that closely, so I really don't know. But it would have to be someone who is basically only playing for a shot at the big free agents (whoever they may be) in the next offseason.

And if there is no team out there that fits this bill, then we should just go ahead and cut bait, cut the guys, set our roster, and stop worrying about all this mess.

I guess the third alternative would be to keep at leats two of them on the roster this year, but we will still be over the cap next year anyway, with or without them, so the only reason to do THAT would be to pray that some team falls off the face of the planet by the TD, and we could swing something then. Speaking personally, I would rather see them go ahead and gather a complete team this year from the season's start, and have the whole year together, instead of having to add pieces over the course of the year. Even if it means eating the last year of all three guys' contracts.

 

I think it will be between us and the Raptors. Miami seems to want Steve Blake or Gary Payton. Raptors probley could offer more playing time.

 

adding Jay Williams would be the cherry to our offseason sundae.

 

Looks like Miami is out of the race.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a...jacobsen_and_white_jay_williams_not_expected/

Miami Looking At Jacobsen And White, Jay Williams Not Expected
16th September, 2005 - 12:31 pm

Sun-Sentinel - The Heat retains its $5 million midlevel salary-cap exception to add a free agent. Should the bulk of that funding go to a point guard, it likely then would focus on a low-cost alternative at small forward, such as Rodney White or Casey Jacobsen.

Former University of Miami forward Darius Rice also remains a regular at the Heat's offseason workout program.

However, Riley made it sound as if former Bulls guard Jay Williams' comeback from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident would happen elsewhere.

"Again," he said, "we're about now. We already have developmental guys."

 

Sounds like Riley wasn't too impressed with Williams. Take that as a warning?

 

If we sign Williams, it doesn't mean a Wesley (or any other) trade is in the works. He isn't going to replace anyone in the rotation this year. The only thing he would do is take up a roster spot. Instead of just cutting Ward, Moochie would be gone also.

In answer to one who asked if anyone would want Ward, Moochie or Baker in a trade now: No. I said right after last season ended any team that took any of them (or Spoon) before the season started just for the reason of clearing up cap space should be ashamed of themselves. Giving up all hope at the beginning of a season is unacceptable. Teams clearly out of the playoffs at the trade deadline may want them; but not now.

 

Williams wants playing time to prove himself. He will not sign here unless he's given a legit chance to earn a rotation spot.

 

Unless Jay Williams already decided on another team. Or another team already decided on him.

Although we all know it will be a miracle if Jay Williams can still play in the NBA, even as a 3rd string PG.

 

If there is a confidence that Williams can become a good PG within the next few years, it would be worth picking him up.

We are very limited in putting together pieces next to Yao/TMac. This summer we were incredibly lucky with Swift signing for the MLE. If we platoon him for a couple years, and he turns out to be great, what a pickup. I'd cut Baker and Norris to get him, but only if they can see he's truly recovered, and just needs to play himself into NBA shape.

 

it would be worth picking him up ... in a couple of years.

 

I think he won't play until the All-Star game. This season will be a test for him.

 

You are right. But I think he is more worried about getting an NBA contract than playing time. Beggars can't be choosers.

 

Insidehoops.com just reporeted that Jay Williams has been offered a contract by the Raptors for one year $640k...............................

 

We should offer 2 years + a team option for year 3......No state income Tax here in Texas Jay !!!