I see your point regarding leverage and committing for the future however wouldn't you try to gamble if this year becomes special because of the play of the team and Tmac? I know it is highly unlikely however it is a scenario that could happen and why waste a year. Next year, they can use his salary for a free agent or part of it. I do not think he is still expecting a max contract. or is he?
That all depends on Tmac, if he is putting up huge numbers and the team is winning.....I think the Rockets have a tough choice. GM's are paid to think big picture and with injuries, Yao and Tmac..are just two risky of a duo, IMO. DD
Granting an offer is on the table, lets say for Bosh. Will you disrupt the chemistry of the team? If the team is clicking with Tmac would they gamble a let him go for a player that has to still adjust? This adjustment could lead the team to lose a good seeding or at worst a playoff spot.
That is the issue for Morey who needs to be thinking long term, not in the moment like us fans do. DD
Might as well make a run and work in retooling in the off season. Chance of winning must be of importance compare to retooling. All this would be academic should the Rockets have a losing record or Tmac not back to his old reliable self.
This was really my next question...what do you with T in the long run? I mean, he has to come out playing great ball for his future, and if he does then what? If you don't get rid of him by trade deadline you're agreeing to commit to him? Because he's not yours to deal next offseason...so what do you do? We'll see if he can win enough hearts and minds back in Houston...I don't know...I can see it now, though, first little injury he goes down for fans will be screaming... On the other hand, can you get some good pieces to build for the future before the trade deadline? Let's hope he can get back early and be good to up his value. That's always been my thing, let him play great and up his value in a trade. Please, please, please.
Would be interesting right? It may be too early but it would be fun to know what would happen. Morey would be at a crossroad.
Oh, for the record, I'm not sure about Tmac long term, myself, I think he'd have to come in next year and do some Kobe-esque stuff, circa-lastyear, if that makes sense. The new Kobe, the team Kobe. Having him and Yao longer worries me...we need a new young star...sorry T...
That is where the problem arises. Go with a healthy and productive Tmac at a run at the title or trade him and hope to get good pieces that could help this season and seasons to come? Note: Hope to get good pieces that wont disrupt chemistry. DD said that its Morey's problem but it is interesting to know what would happen.
Yeah, we're trying to predict the future here, but I don't think Tmac comes back that good where you look at the situation and say, "ok, we're making a serious run at it". I really and truly don't see that happening unless Yao came back super early and we got some weird team chemistry going on and just started killing it. That said, I think you gotta plan and go for the future, go a little younger, a little smarter, a little more mobile. Whatever happens, I don't envy Morey's and the organization's situation and what they will have to consider next season.
I don't think it is a crossroads at all, I think they will trade Tracy regardless. His history of injuries, and histrionics on and off the court have sealed his fate, IMO. Right now it is about building value for a trade that is how I see it. I could be wrong but Jo-boo told me, and he never lies. DD
Trade him if a deal is at hand. The future is important to think off. Long term planning is essential to build a winning program. It is just that if there is a minute possibility of doing something special this season then the team can gamble and wait until next off season to retool and not rebuild.
if tracy is playing well before the deadline, the only teams who would want him are teams near contender status b/c they need that "other" guy to make that push. and those teams are not going to give up a whole lot of stuff to get him (probably draft picks and some players, but no stars/all-stars that morey would want). so it depends on what morey wants. tracy, via trades, is NOT going to land us an all-star. it's unrealistic.
I think if T-mac plays well, Les is going to want to keep him. We aren't going to find a better player for less, in fact, we might not have another free agent acquisiton of major impact for the next few years. I think Les would be interested in signing t-mac to a 1 or 2 year deal if he plays well.
