Move in Atlanta...

I don't see a need:

* For a $10m backup center (Ratliff).
* An $8m backup PF (Taylor).
* $28 for a tweener PF (SAR) who would be a retricted FA in 2005.
* To have to bid on Terry next summer when he is a restriced FA.
* To completely orient 3 new players 25 games into the season into an already solid defense and a progressing offense.

Let Francis finish the season. If JVG or Francis has problems with how it turns out, Francis's BYC status ends next summer and the TE runs until training camp 2004.

 

Obviously, $28m for SAR.

 

lol. I agree. I would not do this trade.

 

I'd jump on any deal that got Ratliff and SAR(who I think is a 3 in the west) to Houston for anything less then Steve or Yao. I'm not big on the Terry part.

If Cato has any value in the league at all you trade this guy NOW!! If you could somehow get Ward or Thomas out of NY that would be the iceing on the cake.

Steve/Ward
Jackson/Pike
SAR/Pike
Thomas/Ratliff/SAR
Yao/Ratliff

I guess I putting Mobley, taylor, Cato, and Bokie on the table to make these two deals go down. You weekends GM's...get to work!

 

Basically what you are saying is we swich Francis for Terry, Ratliff for Cato and SAR for Mobley.

What is the point in switching Francis for Terry and Ratliff for Cato? They are basically the same type of players. This doesnt address anything but change for the sake of change which I dont think helps this team AT ALL.

Now, Mobley for SAR is different. The Rockets clearly need a better scoring presence for their Forwards and SAR would bring that. Just like Al Harrington of the Pacers SAR could play the 3 and the 4 spot. But SAR is a bit more consistant that Harrington. I would love to have SAR on the Rockets. SAR is everything the Rockets had hoped Griffin would turn into at least offensively. And while SAR's defense is average one would hope the team defense would pick up the slack. The key here is augmenting the offense.

 

I don't know. I definitely see Gator's logic. We are with out a doubt in the play off race and I am very hesitant at whole sale changes to our team now.

However,

I would love to have Ratliff and SAR on our team.

Ratliff at PF and SAR at the 3. Ratliff is not just a good shot blocker but a premier shot blocker and would make our interior defense just that much better, although he is not quite the rebounder that Cato is and does not provide the beef that Cato does. Yao would have to step up his rebounding. Ratliffs offense is just a little better than Cato's. Ratliff would be an outstanding 4 in the West.

SAR is an awesome talent that has been stuck on bad teams for a long time. In the west, as someone else has already pointed out, SAR would definitely be a three...at least IMO and a damn good one.

Terry does nothing for me but we would need a PG if we traded Steve.

I do not want to trade Cat now. He seems to have adapted to JVGs system very well.

This is intriguing but even if we wanted to do it I just don't see how we could make it work...salary cap wise.

 

I would see how bad they want to move SAR. You can have Taylor, Moochie, and Boki, Coach Stotts. .

Seriously, I think he is a valuable player at the 3. Not a good fit at the 4, where we need ( and can get) a Kurt Thomas. But sure, I'd trade Cuttino and some bad contracts for SAR. Why not. Be Big.

 

I have considered SAR and Terry for Mo Taylor and Francis. I think Terry is similar to Francis but is not quite as talented/explosive with the ball but understands the team game a little better and is a little better off the ball. SAR has similar liabilities as Mo Taylor--matching up with WC 4s, but SAR at least can create his own match-up problems. For Atlanta, they would get the best player in the deal in Francis and a true lead scorer that could get them 23, 24 PPG. They would have a 1st team EC point guard and generate more excitement, Mo isn't a bad 2nd or 3rd option versus EC post players either. I think it would help both teams a little.

Also, Terry would be under contract until 06. The Rockets would be in great shape with him having his full bird rights (although wouldn't he be unresticted crash?). That is a good neotiating position, even better if restricted. Similar with SAR (though definetly unresticted), the Rockets have his Bird Rights. They either choose to resign these guys for contracts they feel they are worth, or get major capspace.

In the offseason I was hoping for a move for Ratliff. But at this stage in his career (limited offense) he really is more of a 5 than 4. I would trade Cato plus change for him, but nothing more (e.g., Mobley). The difference between Cato and Ratliff in the primary back-up Yao role is not enough to be a major factor (either can play the 4 opposite Yao--but that really is a stop gap as we see with Cato). That is why I say focus on parties in starter positions first (Terry, SAR for SF, Mo) with Ratliff more of an after thought and considered seperately (for Cato + change).