It's more about his value. Morey is trying to see what people think Landry (with possibly a bum knee) is worth on the open market. My guess is: not a lot. If you're in Landry's camp, you can whine and crap on about this all you like, but you've only got yourself to blame. Morey originally offered a 2 year deal (team option on the second), Landry's agent wanted 2 guaranteed years. They settled on a 1 year deal. 1 year deals are ok as long as you don't get injured - and Landry got injured, returned, but never looked quite as explosive. What's the going rate for a 6'9 PF who averaged 8pt, 5boards, and doesn't block shots and can't jump like they used to? If I was Landry, I'd be asking for 2 years at the LLE, show that you can play the game, and then get your agent to bargain hard with your Bird rights!
Asking Landry to have a surgery to confirm he is fine is just over the top. It would be reasonable for him to undergo MRI, CT and XRay and physically tested to be fit first. If he fails any of those test or the scan showed something then only go for the scope surgery. If he is having some cartilage problems, he will surely have some pain and have difficulty of passing certain physical test.
If Landry doesn't do it, no team will offer him a big contract. But, if he does do this test and finds a problem, Probably, no team will give him an offer at all.
emjohn is right. I had my shoulder repaired after exploritory surgery. You have to go in to see the full damage. MRI and X-Rays do not always show tears or the full damage. This is not genius. Morey would be stupid not to request Landrys knees get scoped. They can look at his knees and if its damaged, fix it right on the spot. He would be out the same day. Sign the next day. It sounds to me like there is serious concerns from the Rockets with his knee/knees. He's gonna have to sign cheap with incentives or walk.
Morey is doing it because he wants to sign Landry. Now, the Pacers and other teams will want to know the results of the surgery also. If he refuses, then other teams will shy away. It's like what happened to Darrell Arthur and his kidneys and teams weren't able to get the physicals. Just the thought was enough to lower his value, and his kidneys were fine actually.
I'm guessing you haven't had microfracture or multiple acl reconstructions like me. Go back and read what emjohn wrote because he stated it perfectly. also, I am willing to bet the farm that when they do the scope they find out he has bald spots on his knee that need microfracture. the way his knee has been acting makes it seems like this is the case. also, if he has to do the microfracture then there is no reason why he can't come back 100% like amare. game. set. match. morey.
But see "knee problems" is problematic; it's how these things get sketchy. If you have "relationship problems" with your girl, that could mean she's needy or it could mean she's pointing a shotgun at you. That's why you get it scoped and find out if it's a meniscal tear or if he needs microfracture surgery; it's due diligence. The fact is, it is invasive, terribly invasive. But if you want a multi-year contract for several million dollars, it's the cost of doing business, and (I think most people would grudgingly agree) a pretty reasonable one. As for Morey, we saw from the draft, and pretty much everything else he's done, that he's always looking for leverage, as any good GM should. It's like in a Madden trade when you try to get them to throw in a 3rd rounder, nope? a 4th rounder? 5th rounder? 6th rounder? But always try to get something more. He picked up a few 2nd rounders in the draft this year; if his public statements give other teams a bit of a chill on Landry, I'm sure Morey didn't mind.
"Dr. Andrews said Landry would be throwing heat in no time at all and would be readily available for the Astros down the stretch"
This is where you say in business, you deal fairly and squarely and you will be dealt with in return. What goes around comes around. Would not be suprised to see Landry walk now.
I think this is just a wise business move. Morey is probably considering signing Landry to a substantial contract, but we need to thoroughly check the knee before committing million$. Sometimes you have to do more than kick the tires.
lets also remember for all Landry did he is a 25 year old rookie not a 21 year old. he is undersized. He only played about 40 games (thus never hitting a rookie wall or having opponents scout him properly. He averaged 8 and 5 not 20 and 10.... and now there may be knee issues. I like him alot but not blank check alot... Morey has proven to be a shrewd smart GM so far and i applaud him on wanting more info. My only worry is that he gets away and we get nothing. I'd prefer to sign and trade him if Morey deemed we can survive with Hayes at the backup 4 spot.
well said. i dont think it comes down to hayes as the backup. i think dorsey probably has the inside track in that race. there is always the possibility of a trade (luther, hayes, jackson, steve, etc...). i want the rockets to spend that money on the best possible player...a guy like pietrus comes to mind. they can find 8-5 somewhere else.
So, "being classy" means not looking at all medical contingencies when coming up with a contract offer for a player who has a history of knee problems? I would love for the Rockets to be the Happytimes Love team, but I think there is a balance to be struck between being classy and careless.
