NBA Free Agents 2002: Prospects For The Rockets

Here's a link to a list of the free agents. The restricted players can have their contracts matched by their current teams.

http://www.realgm.com/src_freeagents.php?year=2002

 

That is one weak list. Anybody who is even somewhat decent is restricted. There are no cream of the crop players either. Other than Lewis, are there any other top tier talents who may opt out?

The only player on the list I wouldnt mind throwing some money at (not the whole $5 mil of course) is Darvin Ham. I've liked his game since college.

 

Isn't Darvin Ham essentially a poor man's Bo Outlaw? Nice ot have, but not for more than the 1m exception.

 

The next year is weak also, if you take all the restricted FA's off the list. The CBA has definitely disrupted free agency.

The ironic thing is, Denver just gutted their team in the trade with Dallas, with the intention of having a ton of cap space to pursue FA's. The only problem is, that most of the good FA's are restricted & their current teams will have a lot of cap space available also, to resign them. Denver is so screwed. Here's the links to the free agents & team's committed salaries for the 03/04 season.

http://www.realgm.com/src_freeagents.php?year=2003

http://www.realgm.com/src_teamcap2.php

 

The name that really intrigues me (besides Lewis) is Loren Woods. I always thought that we should've gone after him rather than Tmorris. He's got great size and shot blocking ability and is solid on offense. I don't know wether he's done anything at all in the pros but I loved his college game... any thoughts?

 

Darvin Ham should be in the dunk contest. He has major ups.

 

Malik Rose, Lee Nailon would be a nice addition to small forward. Also Jarron Collins from Utah is a FA, he'd be a nice pickup at center. Olowokandi, and Keon Clark would be good pickups too, but they're both restricted.

 

I'd take Ham for defensive purposes, as well as someone that will come into the game and play hard without needed the ball.



Side Note: Why did we ever pick up Glen Rice, and how much would it be to buy his contract out?

Rice, Wizard, Langhi{however you spell it}, and Collier need to be decided upon this off season; are we keeping them or not.
I say Hell NO, but maybe that's just me. Of course, contracts like the one Rice has is damn near Impossible to deal with.

I'd prefer to see a consistent rotation between T. Morris, Torres, Mobley, and Griffin. Of course Stevie is there .
We need to establish our "team of the future" so players can begin to feel comfortable with their status and playing time.
Throw in a couple role players like Darvin Ham...THAT KNOW THEIR ROLE!
Go for Lewis, or Dunleavy from Duke, or some other player that can come in and contribute.
That's what I would like...........but it won't happen....oh well.

 

Keon Clark may well be a stud one day

 

no really he should breed with lisa leslie & make really tall people

 

Hottodie-Den won't have the massive cap space until Howard's contract runs out after next year.

 

how so? we, along with other teams, will have major cap room in 2003 but the FA class is going to the best in many years. we should be a major player.

if not, we can always make a trade and take better players in (with higher contracts).

 

Someone call the cops if Den is ever considered a FA hotbed.

 

NugzFan, what do you guys plan to do with McDyess? If his knee continues to flare up, you guys are SO SO SO screwed.

I think Kiki is a very good GM, but he just made an awful mistake. Unless they trade a healthy McDyess this off season for a top 4 pick, tank this season. That's 2 top 5 picks. Then tank next season. That's 3 cornerstones, and pick up the role players in 2003.

 

I think there are a few free agents I would love for the Rockets to get (at least 1) regardless of their current roster even though most of these will probably be too expensive:

Olowakandi, Nailon, Rodney Rogers, Ricky Davis(Restricted), Lafrentz(restricted-will break the bank), Larry Hughes(Restricted-too expensive), Devean George(Excellent player), Medvedenko (big body), Jimmy Jackson, Gary Trent, Troy Hudson, Bonzi Wells(Restricted), Keon Clark(restricted), Popeye Jones.

The Rockets I'm sure will get none of the above players and will end of getting some scrub. Hopefully we'll get a good pick and Toronto's pick(if they make the playoffs) and turn it into a good player(through a trade) or get another star in the draft ala Griffin.

 

• Kandi man has looked good this year (if he only shot Cato's Dunks, he would be a 80%+ FG shooter).
• Toronto will not make the playoffs, and Rudy will probably gamble on the 2nd rounders.
• Rockets will not get anything out of the draft (this will probably be worse than the 2000 lottery run), we will probably be picking about 11th instead of 6th. This draft is not as deep as last year, and we would be lucky to pick high enough for Jeffries.

Only bright side we have is a possible #11 pick and KT for Odom (or another SF). No one will take Taylor, until he proves he's healed, and there is no room for 3 PF's on our roster. Especially when we need a SF desparately. Odom makes more sense then Lewis.

 

Actually, if Denver can trade cap-killer Juwan Howard to a team such as the Knicks (a team in desperate need to wipe $$$ off the books; Juwan will be entering the last year of his grotesque contract), then Denver might come out OK.

But the Knicks will have to face the reality of needing to include Sprewell in such a move. But they should be ready to say, We're rebuilding: time to face facts.

IF Denver wants Sprewell, that is. Denver would have to pull a Chicago maneuver: if the free agents don't come to you, drag'em in, kicking and screaming.

 

Hopefully its a good veteran. I wont complain if we get a stud young un', but we need some veteran experience on this team.

 

Well last year I would have said "HELL YES" to that trade. But Kenny has blown up this year. I suppose I would still do it, because we have a glut at the 4, but I wouldnt be as enthusiastic about it. We better not do it if we have a top five pick and include KT on top of it.

I think KT's value has gone up tenfold this season.