I also have to point out that Nocioni can only be signed-and-traded after July 15th, so you can't package him with a draft pick (as some Chicago columnists with mustaches have been suggesting).
I doubt salary will be an issue for Chicago. They are in a good market and are always one of the top revenue earners in the league. So if they want Nocioni then the MLE is not a problem and the Rockets will have to be putting something rather appealing on the table for Chicago to bite.
Very interesting thread, Desert Scar, but no player realignment, draft pick or trade scenario can be rationally discussed without first determining who will coach the Rockets next year.
Good names to throw out there. I don't know much about Amir Johnson. I do know that the Wizards are pretty high on Andray Blatche. But they might not pay a ton for him if they are looking to lock up Stevenson. Blatche is the kind of "under the radar" type of athletic player I could see Morey going after.
Excellent point. Combined with the fairly rational thinking within this thread by des Scar, Deuce, etc, this further leads me to the conclusion that van gundy will be let go. His focus on rebounding, defense etc. makes it unlikely, if not impossible, for him to play a "non-traditional" PF. There was all the talk in the preseason about how Battier may get a look at the PF, some of the comments came from Jeff him self. but, when the ball went up, Van Gundy remained true to what he is. (not to derail this thread, but it's germain to the ideas expressed here -- you can't reasonably expect Van gundy to change his stripes.
Well the Van Gundy move would be to go after PJ Brown with the MLE and Jason Hart with the LEE. And our defense and boarding would be even better, but we would still get roasted by the super athletic shooting teams. Now Mo Williams would be one move JVG or anyone would do. But the viability of small 4s with 3 range like Barnes and Nocioni, or another wing (Pietrus), yeah that could depend on the coach. Now if Mo W isn't in the picture, I'd be pretty dissappointed if we grabbed a PJ Brown over a Barnes/Nocioni just because Brown is more of a prototype of a JVG type of 4. The Rockets need athleticism and scoring punch much more than just a slightly better defensive version of Howard. If JVG hasn't see that he has tunnel vision and needs to go. If he is sincere about adding some new wrinkles with an athletic but undersized 4 with range (Barnes/Nocioni) if that was the best player available I would be OK rolling wih him. If he hadn't kept his word by mid season (reverted to a slow line-up) it would be over right then and there.
JVG wants more rebounding but would he want PJ Brown? After last season JVG made comments on wanting more shooting at the 4 to create more spacing and wanting a Boris Diaw type player.
Somebody has to go on that team at the wing. JRich is making $11+ mill., Jackson $8 mill., Pietrus is up for an extension and they still have Monte Ellis who will need to be paid in the next year or two. And, that's not even mentioning Barnes. That's alot of jack for just their wing players. Then you add the money Foyle and Harrington are making, they have to cut money somewhere. I'm not saying Pietrus is the one to go but they have to do something IMO. I actually think JRich will be traded. Pietrus, Barnes & Ellis would all be cheaper no matter what and they could add another rotational piece or two to round out the team and maybe an expiring contract. He is their best trade asset.
Of the options presented, My preference would be to grab Mo williams (I rate that as possible, but less thann 50%). Our team is very good, not the classic first round fodder with zero chance of developing into a contender, that needs to be blown up (memphis). Bringing a Mo Williams is a tweak, a major tweak, but a tweak. this would allow us to see what would happen if we were to enter the playoffs with a Yao at full health, additional talent in mo Williams, and perhaps a new coach that would employ Battier at PF or take advantage of Snyder's athleticim and work him into the rotation during the year. I harken back to Hakeem's words to Yao, it took him 10 years. It took a while to get the right cast around Hakeem, and that coincided wth Hakeem taking his game to the legendary/complete level. Now that's some chicken and egg --- you have to have the right cast to give Hakeem confidence to share the ball, make the team more than the sum of its parts. Here, I think we need to see what Yao can become. i don't think he's done improving. If he can avoid the bs injuries, perhaps we'll see 26/10 out of him. Perhaps a new offense will round out his passing skills that we know he has. perhaps. . . What' I'd really like to see is the freaking triangle offense here. But wait, that's a whole nother thread that I need to consider starting.
Obviously we are faced with the decision of using our limited money on either a PF or a PG. To me this decision will very much be impacted by the coaching decision. For example, if JVG leaves, I will feel much better about our PG depth cart because V-span will get to play and develop. I think Rafer (in a reduced min role) is fine to lead the team. Especially if you bring in a good defender/slasher like V-span. If we focus on the PF spot and get someone athletic...heck we could even get out and run a little bit when Yao isn't in the game. We will be fine in the regular season even if we stay like we are, but we are trying to build for the playoffs. As we saw with Utah, it is all about match up. The PF position KILLED us defensively in the playoffs. Insert one to these free agent power forwards into the line up and get V-span going, and this is a totally different team.
Barnes is an unrestricted free agent and Pietrus is a restricted free agent this year. I really, really, doubt they can afford to resign at MLE + type money both given the team salary and wing depth considerations Mograd mentions. JRich is there 2nd or 3rd best player. Yes he costs a lot, but he is more instrumental to their success. They would trade Harrington or maybe even Jackson first IMO.
Actually the PF position has KILLED us offensively even more. Boozer and Duncan and those guys are going to do damage to anybody. But what you want is some offensive points and efficiency and to make those guys play both ends. That is why I like Nocioni or Barnes--to get the offense more productive. The Rockets have much more room for improvement in offense than defense and rebounding--as nice as it would be to have a prototype athletic 4/5 type in the 4 spot it is even more important to have better/more versatile offensive player can play a lot of 4.
What we need basically lands in three positions: PG, PF, and SG/SF. For PG, basically there are several practical players worth consideration: 1. Chucky Atkins 2. Mike James 3. Steve Francis (if he gets bought out) 4. Draft pick: Crittenton, Acie Law (Trade UPPP) 5. Marcus Banks (um, i dunno i dunno i dunno) For PF, it's hard to say, but several ideas have been quite intriguing: 1. Travis Outlaw 2. Marvin Ely 3. Marc Jackson?>_< Basically, we take fliers on this one, because you really don't get a quality athletic big man for this price (even the full MLE)... And he's gonna have to have the defensive ability, can rebound, and score to some degree... Plus a good attitude... Some are interesting: Brian Cook. Uh, is Joe Smith a free agent? Swingmen/Wing players: 1. Matt Barnes How much is this guy gonna ask for, what, 4 mil? He's got the ability and sure fills a void (scorer off the bench, creates his own shot), but how much money will he take up? 2. Matt Carroll VERY Luther Head like. Hell, I bet he doesn't play the 1! And, not as bad. And here. Look. We basically got no chance in chasing the likes of Nocioni (hell, this guy's 77 in '07, just for the heck of it), Mikki Moore or Mo Williams. Mason, Pietrus, nope. Mike Sweetney? Nah.
I want to thank all that actually contributed to a thread with useful information. It is great to see valuable exchanges without crazy talk about Van Gundy either one way or another. If is amazing how much better the team will be with more talent and another good player. Thanks to all
