I'm not holding my breath, but the Rockets could have $9 million in expirings next season between Bobby Jackson and Steve Francis, plus another $2+ million in Luther Head and Aaron Brooks. I think this season was unique in that so many big names went for cap purposes, but there could be some selling next year too. The draft will change so much too ... the weaker teams are in the lotto and the addition of a top prospect rookie could make someone else expendable. So who do you think could potentially be bought on the cheap next year? One that comes to mind is Kirk Hinrich. He's been semi-disappointing, is overpaid as a result and still has several years left on his deal. He won't be a Base Year Compensation player next season either.
Hinrich is really a mixed bag. He's one of the best at defending the point in the game, and is probably the best at fighting through picks. His shooting is good enough, and he's a heady offensive player, but he just doesn't penetrate well enough to be really good on the offensive end at the point. He'd work pretty well in Houston, but the Rockets would have to go back to relying on McGrady for main distributing duties. I'd certainly pick him up for expirings, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too high about him making the Rockets significantly better.
I wouldn't mind getting Bogut. He's not great but really good at what he does. Since he did recently say money isn't a biggie as long as he wins.. maybe he wouldn't mind taking a back seat to Yao.
Few come to mind: Kirilenko? Does he still want to be traded? Elton Brand? Does he still want to be on that losing team? Mike Dunleavy? If J.O'Neal get traded this summer, Indiana maybe will have a fire sale like Memphis?
The gasol incident was a clandestine operation to assist Kobe Nation. If memphis didn't reach out to us, I am not sure who will. But here is my list of possible contributors: chicago with Nocioni( bc he is frustrated in that team) pacers New jersey 76ers
I think a lot of it depends on what happens in the offseason. A lot of the names bandied about this trade deadline will probably continue to be involved in rumors. But ... Maybe a team drafts a high lotto pick to replace a big price star. Maybe a team is willing to unload a good draft pick for expirings. Maybe a team would be willing to sign and trade a star that they don't want to commit to long term for expirings and a decent player **cough**Battier**cough**. I'm not holding my breath, but at least there is the opportunity for adding a major piece next season before TMac falls apart.
Clutch, enlighten me if you will, this is what I think is happening IF we aren't making any more trades other than for Bobby Jackson: 1. The Rockets found themselves arriving late to the party. Lakers got Gasol. Suns got Shaq. Mavs got Kidd. The Rockets were too busy trying to gain ground on a playoff spot that they weren't looking to deal anyone--or anyone marquee--in particular. And since all the possible big name players are gone--and gone to in-conference rivals--the Rockets are pretty much FUBAR'd: they're good enough to get into the playoffs but they don't have enough ammunition to make noise. 2. So, instead of making a quickfix for this year, they're loading up on expirings for next year (like you had stated). This is not only ideal for Les financially but ideal for our team. Reason being? Because, to win the West as it stands right now, your team has to have a celestial galaxy on the court every game. In other words, you really need three stars to compete. This is nothing new, of course, because the Spurs have been running a Duncan-Parker-Ginobili trio for the past 4-5 years. Detroit's own Billups-Rip-Sheed lineup got them a ring. I'm assuming that with the Lakers (Gasol-Bryant-Odom), Suns (Nash-Amare-Shaq), Mavs (Dirk-Josh-Kidd) upping the ante, Morey saw fit to retool next season and not this year. This year is used more as a test drive to see how well the current players play under Adelman and not one for contention due to all the recent trades. 3. Those contracts plus Brooks, Head or Landry can get a legit 3rd star on this team that will help Yao and McGrady. Like: Antawn Jamison (contract ends this year so it would have to be a sign-and-trade) Gilbert Arenas (player option for 08-09) Elton Brand (player option for 08-09) Wally Szczerbiak (contract runs until end of 08-09 season: added bonus if he doesn't pan out) Mike Miller (if he isn't dealt by then)
Shouldn't this be in the GARM? Seems like we are discussing what the Rockets can get for their expiring contracts instead of what players from crappy teams can be had because they want to get out of salary cap hell. Gilbert Arenas and Tmac together jacking up heat check shots, yeah that will work out real nice.
Trades like Rasheed Wallace and Gasol don't happen very often and I doubt it happens next season. The unique situation with the Grizz franchise is why Pau was given away for nothing. No sane team would give away a player that good for just expiring contracts. Last year, the Grizz wanted half of the Bulls franchise for Pau. This year they give him away just to save $$$. Stupid things can happen when a team owner doesn't care at all about winning, now or in the future. That trade bugs me more with each passing day, especially after watching Lakers games. The whole competitive balance in the Western Conference (and maybe the NBA) was upset.
What's REALLY frustrating to me about the Gasol deal is that the asking price seems higher for Miller then Gasol now. I think they realized they f'd up big time.
Rockets need to use their full MLE to sign someone, ANYONE, to a 1yr contract. That would give us 14mil in expiring contracts.
I'm a Kirk believer, but even I don't believe he will be Gasoled unless and until he proves valueless to Da Bulls by DEADLINE time. Who might be Gasolable in July? Good question for the Thread BTW.
Why are you a Kirk believer? Watching the Bulls has proven to me the guy has hit his ceiling. He doesn't deserve mention with Gasol.
I'm desperate to bring Hinrich here. Even if it means a blockbuster trade with McGrady this summer. Evan
I think it was very prudent to make these moves. The Rockets clearly did not have enough expiring assets this year to do anything. Next year will be a different story.
