A lot of threads lately have been addressing the fact that the Rockets need a defensive stopper who can back up Cuttino and split some minutes at SF as well. So here goes some Dreamcasting, after a little research, I found the guy who I think would be a perfect fit, Ron Artest. Now, what would it take to get him here? He's still on the rookie scale, so he doesn't make a lot of money, so a Artest for KT and TMo would work salary wise, but would the Pacers go for that? They are already loaded at the three with Bender, Harrington, and Ron Mercer and the two looks decent for them with Mercer and first round pick Feddie Jones splitting, and I really think KT can be a very good PF in the East. The Rockets would make the deal because they unload the log jam at the 4, while adding a defensive presence. After the trade our line up would look like this: PG- Francis/Moochie/Maddox/Brown SG- Mobley/Artest/Francis SF- Rice/Nachbar/Artest PF-Mo T/Eddie/ free agent? C- Yao/Cato/Collier After the trade the Rockets go after a free agent who can play the four or five, plays good defense and rebounds like a mother. Any thoughts?
I agree Artest would be a perfect fit for the Rockets. I just don't know what Ind would want for him. Is KT enough?
Problem with Artest is that he is <b> CRAZY </b> No really, he's insane... Also he thinks he can play offense when he can't After the trade the Rockets go after a free agent who can play the four or five, plays good defense and rebounds like a mother. Any thoughts? Who? How do you expect to be able to affor a FA who plays 4/5 and plays good d and rebounds well....That's what everyone in the L wants
I don't see us trading for a 3 after taking Nachbar. In fact, I like our depth with KT on the bench. It's nice to have a guy coming off the bench who could start for other teams.
KT will be a starter, Mo T with his suspension and coming off injury will not be starting, and neither will Griffin. I look for KT to be starting, and showcased for a trade around the deadline. DaDakota
NJRocket, I see Artest a more of a SG than SF. He's 6'5 so he's a little undersized to play the three, I think he could play a few minutes at the three but most of his minutes would come backing up Cat. On another note, did anyone else see that Cat was number 2 in the NBA in minutes per game last year? I'd like to see us bring in a guy who can play between 10 and 15 minutes a night and give Cuttino a little rest.
Oscar Torres is also a good fit, and is a good defender, he will be better this year too. I like the direction this team is heading, and think the major hurdles to rebuilding are done, now it is just maturity and minor tweaking needed to get this team to the championship level. DaDakota
Two Words..........Bryon Russell. Playoff experience, comes from a good team, can play the 2 & 3, plays D (Jordan had to push off him to get his shot), & more importantly he's a team guy. If possible we should talk to the lakers for a MoTaylor for Robert Horry trade. They make about the same.
I'd be happy with getting Maggette, Artest, Russell, or Posey to help the team out on the defensive end.
Artest is a little crazy, it's true. I think Isiah Thomas keeps a leather belt handy, or a bullet, you know: "Hold him down, put the belt in his mouth/make him bite the bullet. Careful, he'll bite off his tongue. He'll bite you!" Isiah would exact a fairly high price for Artest. I honestly don't think the kid's on the block, but I'm barely kidding: he'd probably ask for Eddie Griffin in exchange, knowing you'll hang up. Isiah wants defense. We do need some D. Problem is, even if we traded for someone or signed a free agent to the exception, what to do with the other players? For example (extremely hypothetical), Rice (lives in Miami) + KT for Brian Grant? Now, Brian Grant is overpaid, yes, but he's highly respected around the league. He plays better w/o a dominating low post center (Ming?) But even if we wanted to take on the contract, whither Eddie Griffin? Mo Taylor?
He's 6-7, and built like a horse-I've seen him listed as high as 240 lbs. He's a stud defender. I don't think KT/Morris is enough for him, talent return-wise anyway. I see us looking for a defender-Bryon Russell may be a possibility. We may just keep OT for the role. This isn't the type of piece you fret too much-you can pick up your Quincy Lewis types (who by the way is a free agent-I wouldn't mind picking him up for the min.) with small contracts, or late first rounders, or even 2nd rounders. Personally, I think we would probably trade KT for a smart low post defender/rebounder-a Scot Pollard type. Depends what's out there.
I think that is EXACTLY the guy I would consider. He won't be expensive, can shoot the 3 and plays good defense. You don't have to start him and he can play 2 positions on the floor. Artest, Posey and others are fine but they are going to cost money and demand playing time. The Rockets need a rotation guy who can play D and play both the 2 and the 3. Plus, they could use a veteran who has some playoff experience to add to the roster.
I agree. I don't know why everyone is so ready to make a trade. Isn't Torres a defensive specialist at the 2? I know we have a log jam at the 4, but we don't really need Artest. I wouldn't mind having him here, but the truth is we have enough contracts to deal with without putting his into the mix. He will definately want more $$$ when his contract is up.
Bryon Russell is a perfect fit but its Bryon Russell. I guess it would be ok since he is such a perfect fit though. Is he a free agent?
Unless the Rockets can dump some salary (and few teams are interested at this point in trading for Rice, Taylor, or Cato), then I don't expect them to bring another player for more than $2M. Remember, the Rockets are getting dangerously close to the LUXURY TAX. Les Alexander has been a great owner to the city of Houston, never afraid to pull off the big trade to help the team win. It would be unfair to expect him to incur a massive luxury tax. I think any other moves the Rockets make this summer will be predicated on that luxury tax.
Sad but true. Russel would definitely help us. He can defend like a mother, and that corner 3 is money. of course, we as rocket fans have seen it enough. he does disapper at times, but he would be coming off the bench so it wouldnt matter as much. plus, if nachbar needs time to develop, it would give rudy many more options. he could also be insurance in case rice goes down. sometimes players like that make a big difference, especially if the rockets can get to the playoffs.
Bima, Have there been reports that I've missed which have said that people are interested in taking Rice, Cato or Mo off our hands. I'd love to lose any of those three contracts, I just can't see anyone wanting these guys. The only bad thing is that if they take a bad contract off of our hands, we probably do the same for the other team as well.
Posted this a few days back but would ya'll trade Cato, KT and Collier for Jeff Foster and Austin Croshere? Cato, lazy bum, bad contract. Kenny Thomas, caught in a numbers game and deserves more playing time. I would trade Taylor over KT but other teams are not likely to take him due to injuries. Could be a very good backup behind Jermaine O'neil, especially since they really don't have one. Collier, bum who won't play much other than his precious garbage minutes and is thrown in for salary cap purposes. for Jeff Foster, more of a hustler and blue collar player. Also a Texas boy who should do well in backing up Yao. I believe he is elibible for a new contract as well so it could be a sign and trade if we want to keep him long term. Austin Croshere. I know not many like him but he performed very well in the playoffs 2 years ago. His contract is as bad as Cato's and I think he needs a change of scenery due to his possible feuds with Isiah. If Croshere were to get into the right situation he could flourish like he has shown in the past. Plus Rudy wanted him as well and can play multiple postitions wherever we may need help at. *I would say go for Artest, but he is the better player of the three and was starting for the Pacers after the trade. The possibilities of getting him I think are very slim. In summary, the deal does plug problems for each team which makes it make sense. I believe the questions are, who all on the team likes Cato as well as who wants to watch one of our 3 power forwards hardly ever get any playing time?
