(Once again, this is not a suggestion, endorsement, or something I pulled from the grapevine, PURELY HYPOTHETICAL AND SPECULATIVE!! ) How would you fell about a Kelvin Cato for Vin Baker swap? True, Baker's contract is a MOTHER_, but he's big enough and skilled enough to play C, and you never know what a change of scenery could do for a player (see Juwan Howard). Thoughts?
Well,....YEAH!! In all seriousness, I actually doubt SEA would go for the trade moreso than the Rocks. I would think they'd at least want KT and\or picks as well. We all know and have heard about Cato's promise, his potential, yada yada, but as Bum Phillips said, "Potential means you ain't done nothin' yet." IMHO, I would probably pass on Vin at this point. Vin's contract, man, his contract..., OUCH!!
Year Baker Cato '01/02 11.25 6.048 '02/'03 12.375 6.72 '03/'04 13.5 7.392 '04/'05 14.625 8.064 '05/'06 15.75 8.736 I was inclined to say 'yes' on that gamble. Baker is more serviceable than and there is a chance that a change of scenery will make him more than serviceable. After looking at the contract numbers though, there is no way we should do that. As overpaid as Cato may be, Baker is almost twice as expensive. We'd have to get some additional pay for bailing them out of that contract -- and that's not easy considering we'd have to give them more players to equalize contracts!
They thought they were going to be able to trade his butt, and searched everywhere but found no realistic takers ..... so the powers that be had a talk with the underacheiving mound and decided to give him a chance to redeem himself. That was written about Vinnie. The scarry thing is it could have just as easily described Cato' s"what I did this summer" essay also. Vinnie has put on some weight. I hear Cato is working out but laying low. I hope something has made him angry. I would take any emotion that could be construed as "active participation" in the game he's is made to play. But any trade talk of Cato for Vinnie better include some valium for this BBS's members, some "Gold Gym" memberships for The Vin Bin, some multiple Seattle picks and the last minute addition of some guys named Payton or Lewis. Not likely. But interestingly, the Sonics are in so much major trouble this year, who knows what they will do. PS: If it's Vin Baker or Cato .... I'll keep Cato. Reluctant, but true.
hehe, opie- I thought you WERE describing Cato. It'd be great to have the foaming at the mouth Cato back. I've always thought that Cato achieving what was expected of him would be an ideal center for the Rockets.
Keep Cato... by all means. At least he has an upside. Getting Baker back into form is, perhaps, less likely and offers less long-term benefit. I still can't believe that CD says we are "set" at Center. We have two injured guys... that's it. Let's hear it for Alvin Jones!
If Cato doesn't do anything else, at least he's good for a blocked shot or two. He doesn't allow too many cheap layups...even on his worst day. But Baker is just a pile of oatmeal. The only redeeming value is his big ass could push against Shaq a little more. I'd keep Cato. He still has a shot for some growth. -krosfyah
