I saw this in the Chronicle story about Les not being worried about the team... <i>Alexander said the franchise would always look for deals that might improve the team, but he said the luxury tax threshold remains a line the Rockets would not cross. The Rockets believe their current salary commitment would fall just short of requiring them to pay a luxury tax after the season. With the tax preventing the team from adding additional salary commitments, especially next season when Steve Francis' contract extension begins, it would be very difficult for the Rockets to make most trades. </i> With reports suggesting Posey may want $50 million - 6 years, $48 million is the most likely number - that could definitely put the team over the luxury tax threshold unless they move salary to afford him. I hope this isn't a boon to guys like Cuban and Allen, who have money to burn.
I am not sure if he is worth 8 millions/ year that he is seeking for. Even though Les said he will not cross the luxury tax threshold, if he is convinced that Posey is a major part of the puzzle I think Les will open his checkbook. One thing about Les that we have seen so far is he is willing to do what is the best for the team. With the luxury tax issues, a lot of free agent in the last couple of year didn't get what they wanted. I think with a good crop of free agents next year the competition for Posey will not be as stiff. I think they might offer him a similiar deal that Mobley got which wil be about 5-6 mils/year provided that he continued to fit with the team. With most team over the cap, Houston can outbids most of them. I think if Posey like the team then he will sign with Houston unless someone make an outrageous offer (which is unlikely).
I smell another bad contract - over payment. I hope I am wrong........anyway what do I know. Yeye dey smell.
Cuban wasn't able to get Rashard. Why would he pay $16m for a defensive stopper? IMO, he'd come off the bench behind Najera or even Adrian Griffin. He and his agent have to know that. Team Turmoil? IMO, they'd pay Pippen a few more dollars than they would Posey and for a shorter contract length. A six year, $44.6m deal starts at $5.5m in year one (12.5% escalation assumed). James - do the right thing...$45m ain't bad for a defensive stopper. Les may consider brushing near the LT for one season as Rice's $9+m comes off after next season.
Posey wont be back with the Rockets unless he wants to be here..Dont see the team getting into a bidding war, this isn't the first time the Rox have said luxury tax is a no-no. If Posey wants 6 yr 48 million, he may be able to get it ..elsewhere, but Denver declined and the Rox will too.
$48 million dollars (jesus that is a lot of freaking money) for 6 years is way too much for posey. the guy is a good role player to have but he isn't more than that.
Les, Rudy and C.D. will find a way to keep him. Offense puts people in the seats, but (pardon the cliches) defense wins championships. However, Posey has provided a nice dose of offense as well. IMO, the Rockets need Posey.
Posey is good, but not $48 million good. He is crazy to ask for that. Denver would not do it and hopefully Les will not do it. I love Posey and what he brings to the team, but not at that price. If he looks around from the last year or so, and with other FA's available, he will probably not get that much. Here's to hoping he gets a decent salary and stays a Rocket!
But where did that # come from? At worst, it's a # that Posey's agent might have floated...and then watched it sink. I think we'll be able to keep Posey. Kinda depressing, though, to have an owner bound to the tax when the Kings and Mavs are willing to spend in order to have the two best teams in the NBA. We've overpaid for Mo, for Cato, *cough cough* for Francis *cough*....well, not for Francis, he's our Franchise; I guess I can forget about trading for a third max salary player (Yao being the 2nd, even if that's three years away).
Yep, I'd be very surprised if Posey was back next season. He was a spectacular pick up, especially since Rice got hurt, but I just look like it as midseason help. Of course, he could be part of a sign and trade, no? I think a big factor in determining whether to sign Posey is what the Rockets think of Nachbar. Unfortunately, Boki's not going to get enough playing time to prove anything this year. If we really have cap space problems, I would suggest Maurice Taylor for Tyrone Hill. Hill has no years remaining on his contract and the salaries match up. Of course, Cavs might not be interested.
Kings and Mavs are willing to pay luxury tax because their rosters are already complete (i.e. title quality). But our roster is not complete yet even with Posey. I would like to keep Posey but not to make us over the cap too much. You know we will be screwed (i.e. difficult to make moves) if we commit too many long term fat contracts to role players. If our roster is able to challenge for the title, I am sure Les wouldn't mind paying tax.
Was 48 mil. reported while Posey was still a Nugget or is this recent? It's a little more understandable if he was still a Nugget, because he was basically the only player they had. I just can't imagine him asking for that much money for being a role player on the Rockets.
Posey will learn his value in the marketplace soon enough. He isn't worth 8 mil per year; hopefully we can keep him for a Mobley contract. In any case, I think we'll keep him. He isn't perfect, but who is? We need him.
good points Roxtxia. I hate to hear that Les wants to stay UNDER the luxury tax. Its just like saying "Well, I'm going to shell out money for a team, but I'm not going to spend TOO much...and I'm sure not going to spend a lot of extra money just to make us great(heaven forbid!)." Why did Les buy a team if he was going to worry about a few extra mil here and there? Damn, let a billionaire buy the rockets! Not some one whose going to run the team like a Wal-mart. I don't know why people keep saying Hawk is just as good as posey. No way in hell he is! Posey is a MUCH better finisher than Hawk. He's more athletic, runs the floor better, stronger, taller and he DOES shoot better than hawk. Losing posey would be a big blow to the already crappy small forward/shooting guard rotations. But if he wants 48mil...then adios.
Come on staying under the cap is clever so that we are able to make more moves to make us better in the future. Do you honestly think that our roster is really that "great" i.e. completely set to challenge for the title even with Posey? I don't think so. I certainly don't want my franchise run by you even you are a billionaire!!
I imagine Posey will find his value defined by the mid-level exception. Can we afford to give him a contract of $4.5 million to start?
