A couple of observations: 1) Newspapers are often incorrect or biased, yes. However, in most cases, the bias goes towards the home team. Thus, why would teh Seattle Times go out on a limb and say Rashard Lewis will sign for only one year--especially with quotes from Rashard himself saying he will only sign for one year-it is illegal to misquote someone you know. I mean, even if Rashard was still undecided on what to do, the paper would more likely say some thing like- Rashard still up in the air-or something like that. Oh well. I think if he signs in Seattle it will be only for one year. Maybe he wants to play in HOusotn, maybe not. I think, more importantly he will sign for 1 year to get his unrestriced status next year to go after the 9 million max for him(assuming he has a good season which shouldnt be a problem). A question: If it is true that Toronto has offered that kin do f deal-6 years for however much you said it was- doesnt this put Rashard in a good situation if he really wants to play for us. I mean, now he can realistically go to monagement and say, "look, either way I wont be playing for you next year. Do you want me to just walk to Toronto or will you sign and trade me to Houston?" ------------------ When I die I want to go peacefully like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in the back seat!
Damn, what a fun thread! Here are my thoughts: The one advantage we seem to have over all of these other teams that can offer more money to Lewis (including Seattle)is that Rashard (from everything I have heard or read)is a true home-towner: He grew up watching and loving the Rockets. The Rockets most likely were his favorite team his whole life. He probably dreamed of playing professionally here his whole life, in front of his friends and family, for his favorite team. Other advantages we have in getting him are that: 1: We have a need for a bonafide starter at the positions that suit him: SF, PF, and even some C. 2: While we cannot offer him nearly as much money as other teams, we're not exactly offering peanuts either. And after next season, that all changes. 3: Houston does have an incredibly bright future. With an improved frontcourt that would feature him, our future would be even brighter. The only true disadvantages we have are: 1: We didn't draft him first and he is still pissed at the perceived "snub." I do not think that is the case. Rashard seems mature enough to realize that, though disappointing to him, the Rockets did what they thought was best for them at the time, and he still wants to come here. 2: Money. We can't offer what others can right now. As we all know, that changes when Dream retires. I don't think he is all about the money. My prediction is that Rashard stays in Seattle until next offseason, when he returns to where he truly wants to be: At home in Houston Texas, playing for his life-long favorite team: the Houston Rockets. Of course, if the Rockets don't get an arena, then we can take all of this and write it down, and then wipe our collective butts with it. ------------------ I need a new signature. 302
Does anybody know if we used our mid-level exception (2.2 Million) this year on Shandon Anderson, when we offered him 2 years at 4.5 million or something LAST year? ------------------
I hope we're in on Jahidi White.....he might be bitter after that Francis dunk though. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
DAMN!!! ------------------ "I talked about what degenerates they [Mets fans] were, and they proved me right. Just by saying something, I could make them mad enough to go home and slap their moms." John Rocker
i just want to see this reach a hundred. ------------------ johnny "red" kerr:i'm glad the bulls did'nt draft steve francis. dan roan: why!!!!! johnny red kerr:because he would forever be compared to michael jordan.
What I find funny is that somehow, through all the discussion and argument, RT45's idea (admitted by him) went from right to crazy and he somehow he believes this to be some sort of vindication simply because, though totally implausible and admittedly nuts, it is possible. Well, geez, ANYTHING is possible, but why argue about it if it really isn't probable? What a bizarre and long-winded thread. ------------------ "No one gets out ALIVE!" SaveOurRockets.com
Jeff: You're being generous to the poor kid. In reality, his idea still isn't possible, as Seattle cannot mathematically match a 7 million dollar Bulls offer. aelliott managed to clear up only 6.7 million in cap space, even if they renounced their 1st round picks. I really must tip my hat to RT45. I've never seen such dogmatic insistence even in the face of unequivacable proof... aelliott, and nearly every other member of the BBS. His self-esteem must be absolutely incredible. I'm not sure if Lewis is coming here, but I sure don't think he's playing in Seattle after this year. Of course, we will have all that cap space next year... ------------------
So Jeff-Think we can get a trade of Walt Williams and the exception for Kobe? ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
Who needs Kobe when you can get Kazaam..urrrr...Flubber...urrrr...You get the point.We all know "the Wizard's" trade value. ------------------ "There are two rules for success... 1) Never tell everything you know."
From what I understand, it looks like the only way we'll get Rashard Lewis is from a sign -n- trade THIS YEAR. Why would Seattle sign him to a 1-yr deal when the most they could offer comes from a 2-yr deal? Signing him to a 1-yr deal is basically admitting that he's planning on leaving next season. Also, I don't see why he would want to sign with us for the exception this offseason, because from what I understand, if he does that, the most he could make NEXT season (when Hakeem retires) is 20% more than what he made the year before. Please correct me if any of this is wrong. It seems that the best options Lewis has is 1) sign outright with a team with caproom this offseason, 2) sign with Seattle for a 2-yr Early Bird, 3) sign with Seattle for Early Bird and get traded elsewhere. Signing with Houston this offseason would appear to be the scenario LEAST beneficial to Rashard. Therefore, I've concluded that the only way we'll obtain his services is via a sign -n- trade THIS offseason. Please tell me your thoughts. ------------------ I Hate Every Bone in Your Body But Mine
After all this fighting about who could offer more for Lewis and if he is going to sign a one-year-deal to be able to come to Houston next year and so on, I would like to know if anyone has any source of information whether the Rockets actually want him now. Everybody seems to think this is self-explanatory, but it is a fact that they did not take him in the draft two years ago, although they had enough chances to do so. Sure, he has developed quite well, but isn't it possible that the same reasons which stopped the Rockets from drafting him are still valid? Just wondering.
Probably not. The Rockets then were a post up team, that had a fair chance of succeeding in the playoffs, especially at the time, with the acquisition of Pippen. All we needed was backcourt help, in the form of shooters. Lewis isn't a guard, and isn't a dead eye shooter from the 3 point line. That explains picks of Dickerson, Drew, and Turkcan. The Rockets screwed up, it's that simple. aelliott-Did you ever find out about a scenario if the offer sheet for Mobley stays at the 2.3 million exception, if the Rockets can offer/give him the 4.1 Early Bird instead? (Same situation applying for Lewis). ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
First, thanks guys(anyone other than Cat, RT and aelliott) for chiming in otherwise we might have to give these boys their own forum!! Second, while it was mentioned about 65 posts ago, I have to agree with RT on a few things. From what I recall Patterson is NOT a free agent. I seem to remember him signing a contract late last summer. Also, NBATalk.com is a total joke when it comes to their free agent page. They have Hakeem listed as being signed through 2004. Anyway, let the insane battle resume. ------------------ We need some meat in the post and I don't mean Brian Grant!
NIKEstrad, Why would he sign the offer sheet for the Mid-Level exception if he wanted to stay with the Rockets? Just get the Rockets to give the average player salary of +/- 4 million (2 year Early Bird) and be done with it. If Cat would be trying to do what MManal suggested Rashard should do, then the same concept would apply. Meaning that he wants out from the Rockets in 2001. Its possible that Cat would want to do a one year at the Mid-Level money and then come back in line next summer for a fat contract when the Rockets plan on having cap space available. The question to be asked is how much of the cap space will the Rockets give to a 6th man? Mango ------------------ 1. Put new topics in the proper forum 2. Use clear wording for new threads 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself like an adult The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood! All will be assimilated.
Would this deal work? Indiana has a 4.5 mil. trade exception, so why don't we trade Walt for the exception and that will give us enough cap space to sign Rashard this summer. ------------------ You ain't gotta like me, you just mad cause I tell it how it is, and you tell it how it might be.
New Jack, we're so far over the cap right now that that wouldn't work. ------------------ Just because you're white and play basketball doesn't mean you're a Matt Bullard clone, despite idiotic accusations to the contrary. visit www.swirve.com
I think The Cat has a very valuable piece of information here, and it makes a lot of sense. Forget about what "crazy" scenarios could happen, and lets focus on things that seem somewhat logical atleast. First off, no matter what we you slice it and how much you try to rationalize it, no team that has any sense will take on Vin Baker and his 86 million dollar contract. If any GM is that crazy, he deserves to be fired on the spot. Baker is such a huge cap albatross, its not even funny. Even if Indiana hypothetically could make the deal work, they would INSANE committing that kind of cap room to some PF that grabs a meager 7.7 RPG and shoots an anemic .455 from the field. Not to mention, his game declines big time in the playoffs. Why would anyone in their right mind take that contract on even if Seattle handed it to them on a silver platter? You can do a whole lot better for that kind of money than Vin Baker. Also, I fail to see why any team with cap room (Orlando, Chicago, etc) would just take on Horace Grant and eat up their space. The reason they have cap space is to sign FAs and young ones at that, not pick up Horace. Indiana already has more than enough forward help that they are trying to sign so I see no reason for them to take on Grant. Houston would not just go out and help Seattle by taking on Grant's salary. Let's look at this from Rashard's standpoint. Even if the Houston option did not exist, a 2.3 mil 1 yr signing would STILL be better for him than a 2 yr. 8.4 mil deal. Think about it if you are in his shoes; his game has been improving exponentially, and his mix of talents (6-10, long, athletic, 3 pt range) are something that is VERY marketable in the NBA. When I saw how much his game had improved by the Utah series this yr, my jaw dropped. The guy was nailing 3 pt shots left and right, was very active, ran the floor like a gazelle and showed his excellent athletic ability. There was a night and day difference between his rookie and second yr. Odds are, he will keep improving, and a 1 yr deal could put him back on the market next summer as an UNRESTRICTED free agent. Teams will be lined up for his services, and he can just pick and choose what he wants. If he takes a 2 yr deal from Seattle, that option would not be there. Even if he wants to stay in Seattle, this would be smart as the Sonics would have to bid along with everyone else in 2001. If Rashard Lewis signs a 1 yr offer sheet for the 2.3 mil exception, Seattle can keep offering their 2 yr deal till they are blue in the face. Once his signature goes on that 1 yr sheet, Seattle matches in 15 days or loses him. Its pretty cut and dry, I dont see why there is a 100+ post arguement. Then Lewis goes out onto the open market next summer and seriously cashes in. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
MManal, What if he takes a 1 year Mid-Level with Seattle and then gets a bigger Full Bird next year? Yes, their payroll would explode doing that, but I don't know the owner's attitude/philosophy about spending money. Mango ------------------ 1. Put new topics in the proper forum 2. Use clear wording for new threads 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself like an adult The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood! All will be assimilated.
