It seems that Nike has decided that rather than signing Harden to a mega deal, they are going to spend their money on a bunch of lesser names. Could work if a few of them really break out into stardom.
Agree. Role with 14, sign a couple 10 days, if needed, and wait to see if someone like a Josh Smith shakes loose later in the season.
Signed, sealed, delivered. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the Rockets <a href="https://twitter.com/MONSTATREZZ">@MONSTATREZZ</a>! Looking forward to seeing this all year: <a href="https://t.co/wGo1MAa0y0">https://t.co/wGo1MAa0y0</a></p>— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) <a href="https://twitter.com/dmorey/status/644956324762025985">September 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
David Weiner @BimaThug The Rockets are now officially HARD-CAPPED at the apron level. They are currently approximately $1.56M below the apron. Kurt Helin @basketballtalk Report: Spurs worked out Carlos Delfino, hoping for NBA comeback We have some space Morey bring Delfino back
Here are our updated options: 1) Sign a free agent to a 1 year minimum contract ($947k is what counts against the cap, not what they are actually paid) 2) Sign a free agent to a 2 year minimum contract ($1.499 million is the 10 year vet max) 3) Trade for any player making under $1.56 million using the Shved exception 4) Trade for any player making under $7.8 million using standard trade matching rules (125% of outgoing) 5) Trade for any player making over $7.8, but we must stay within $1.56 million of outgoing salary 6) Trade for any player but send more outgoing salary than we take in
I'd think a third Center would be the biggest priority with Dwight missing so much time and possibly not playing back to backs. Beyond that Motiejunas possibly not being ready from the start. At PG Bev's injury history, Terry being 38 Delfino would not see the floor behind Ariza, Brewer & Dekker.
Honestly all this means is that the Rockets have less flexibility if they get a rash of injuries and need to sign street FAs to fill in. I don't think it's actually a big deal in trades since the Rockets can only match 125% anyway by being over the tax line. However, since this team currently has some of the best depth in the league, that shouldn't be a big problem.
While it's not a catastrophe by any stretch, I think you overlook the impact of a hard cap on trades. True, the Rockets are limited to taking back only about 125% of outgoing salary. But what if they do a 3-for-1 deal? NBA rosters must have at least 13 players. If the team wanted to add 1-2 vet minimum guys to fill out the roster post-trade, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to do so.
We could possibly do a 1 for 2 or even a 2 for 3 deal without a lot of trouble right now. Say......Terrence to Detroit for Danny Granger, Spencer Dinwiddie, and a future second. Bottom line is when you speculate on trades you might as well speculate on player(s) for player(s) deals that have virtually matching salaries. Anything other than 1 for 1, 2 for 2, 3 for 3, etc. deals with close to matching salaries is going to be close to impossible.
Why do you think Morey agreed to a three year deal then? I think it's because the team is very optimistic that Harrell is going to be a very nice player, and they wanted to trade some cap flexibility in order to get him locked away (on the cheap) instead of running the risk of some desperate gm overpaying to snatch him away.
Yes, pretty much. I'm not saying the Rockets made the wrong decision. I was merely pointing out that the restrictions of the hard cap on trades shouldn't be downplayed.
