If T-mac walks, they don't get $22 million to spend next season. They only get the available salary that is below the salary cap. For example, if T-mac's contracted had expired last season. This year's salary cap is $57.7 mil. The Rockets have $74.3 mil in salary. If we take T-Mac's $23.2 mil away, it leaves us with $51.2 mil in salary. The available salary cap space would be $6.5 mil($57.7mil-$51.2 mil) in salary. T-Mac alone only gives us $6.5 mil, if the cap stays the same next year. If unemployment continues to rise and league revenues dip this season, T-Mac would give us even less.
Best case scenario: He signs back for something under market value and we can trade some role players and expirings for a third star. Thats probably the only way we win a ring anytime soon.
It is so hard to discuss Tmac legitimately when there is a basic misunderstanding by most people about how the cap works. Just let him expire...they say....ARRRGGHHHHHH ! DD
I think he's giving it one last go but will ultimately realize that it's futile before the end of this season. In one way or another, I am guessing his body will tell him it's time to shut it down for good.
I disagree, I think he will be easily tradeable at the deadline by teams wanting to move longer term deals for an expiring...especially if Tmac plays relatively healthy. DD
Probably some contender like Boston, LA or San Antonio that needs an aging, former superstar to screw up any hopes for a championship.
I do not understand the hate people have for Tmac. He plays for the Houston Rockets and I support the Rockets and all of the players on the team. I do not see the hate for Yao and I believe he has been injured more than Tmac. I hope he can come back and help the Rockets this year but I feel that if he can come back, some people will still hate him and hope he fails. I dont get it!!!
I do not understand people who can't comprehend fans of the team thinking that trading a player is better for the overall team, and then labeling it hate because they just don't have the comprehension of what people are talking about. DD - hating on the hater labels.
I think T-mac will play again for the Rockets. He's not going to command a big contract from anyone...and with a healthy Yao and a solid season from T-mac, the Rockets would be foolish not to re-sign him. Think of the 3 scenarios 1. He walks and you get nothing in return. This is the worst because cap analysis by people on here have shown he won't generate a lot of cap room to sign a big name. 2. We trade him. This will be a bad deal because we will get lesser value in return. We won't get star players, we'll get bloated contracts like Eddie Curry and Darko Millevic. Do we want these guys for T-mac? I don't think they will make us a contender folks. The other thing is draft picks...but then you are giving up on Yao a bit too. 3. Retain him at a lower cost. This is the best scenario. we aren't going to find a better wing man for Yao than T-mac. Yao has 2 to 3 seasons in him tops before he begins a decline. His body isn't made for the rigors of basketball and players his size/weight usually begin to decline around 30. Shaq is a great example. With the supporting cast we have now, A Yao-Mac team would be formadible threat to take the crown. I think you have to roll the dice on that versus the unknown.
You're right about if he plays relatively healthy,but the Rockets won't get back much. Bad contracts will definitely be added along with a player or two. DM will have to persuade Les to look at the bigger picture instead of getting stuck.
First you wanted to trade him over the summer and not wait...now it's the trading deadline. for a year all you post is trade t-mac, that the team has moved on. So don't be surprised people think you have somethign against t-mac...you are one of his biggest detractors. What is best for the team, see my post above. T-mac for all his flaws, we aren't going to find someone better. Corey Maggette isn't going to lead us to a ring. No, t-mac won't either, but he sure will do more than CM. With a healthy Yao, I would put this team and t-mac over anyone you can get for t-mac which will be crude.
I do want to trade him...still do......nothing has changed but more time has passed. You can put any team you want...and your opinion is your opinion...I say..having 2 injury prone players keeps you in purgatory. Got to trade one...and TMac is the guy I would move. DD
I look at it this way. Let's say T-mac has a 50% chance of being healthy in 2010-2011, and same with Yao (for the full season). That's a 25% chance we'll have both healthy and thus have a great shot at going deep into the playoffs. The other scenario is to trade one. Let's say it's T-mac because Yao will not be traded. Ok, what do you get in return? Look at what is being offered for T-mac! It's garbage. It's absolutely garbage. You basically are throwing him away. We know that with just Yao or just T-mac, we don't win a ring. We need two superstars. Heck, L.A. has 2 and arguably 3 if you count Odom. Boston has 3 or maybe 4. The better option is let's see what T-mac comes back. Why not see what happens? When it's in the Rockets best interet to trade t-mac, then trade him. But we don't have to worry about that now, feb is still a far way off.
Well... that really depends on the quality of players, how long their contracts are, and that teams know we are trying to unload McGrady so they will try to low ball us. This has to be an option IMO.
