Shaq makes $29.4 million next season ----Jamison $12.6, Steve Nash(approx $10), Howard $1 so this is about $1.5 million to lite T Mac $14.5, Howard 5.4 ---Walker $14.6, Finley $14.6, Daniels RFA that can be signed up to MLE so willprobably have to add Hill's $14.5 Not pretty but definitely workable.
Why would Orlando want a 32 year old Finley and Antoine Walker, the worst player in all of basketball? T-Mac isn't going to Dallas.
I still think our offer is better because the contracts are more desirable. Not to mention all of the players we're offering are under 30 and they're in rebuilding mode. Are players like Walker, Jamison and Finley really desirable to other teams when you consider their HUGE contracts? not to mention that none of those guys have the fan notoriety of Francis. He's a much more popular player with the fans. Finley and Walker aren't even all-stars and they're making max. (i don't care if antoine walker made the all-star team in the east at the east's weakest point)
Are you kidding me? Yao on the trading block and not enough for the Magic. I guess you really don't like Yao, do you?
True. I laughed out loud when I read that. Besides maybe KG and Duncan, YAO gets traded for no single player in the league. Now, if Indiana offered Oneal, Artest, Harrington, Tinsley, and 2 #1's for Yao, even I would consider that trade. Just imagine that if the day comes where we 'have to trade' Yao, just imagine what we would get 3-4 GREAT players and multiple #1's. It's not all bad in Rocketland. We're going to be active this summer....right Clutch??
http://www.hoopdynasty.com/LatestNews.htm What is this crap from hoopdynasty? I'm not familiar with the site, but just the mere fact that it claims Golden State as the front runner is ridiculous. Anyone else know anything?
So the new insider's handle is "NOBODY". Welcome to the bbs! You are now part of clutchfans folklore, like the guy who broke the Francis trade.
Ff this goes down, (and I think it will) what are our true options at the point. Everyone is saying Fisher, Barry, and I have even read Payton, but who do you guys think the man will be running our show?
RealGm Anyone check Best Damn Sports Show last night? Apparently Vecsey spouted the following (According to a post on Realgm): " The word on Best Damn Sports Show tonight was that T-Mac wants to go to Houston. And also mentioned that the Indiana offer was now Artest/Harrington and Foster. Also mentioned that Kobe's agent is discussing him signing for the MLE with the Knicks, because not only will he get his Nike Endorsement deal back, but they would double it if he's in the NY market. They mentioned that there were rumors of colusion between NY and Nike." Vescey is the anti-Rocket. Reason I rarely check the show, but given the idea we might have an opportunity in landing T-Mac this is interesting, even from Vescey.
If that is true, WOW. Kobe and Starbury sharing the ball. Houston knee-d not reappear. Give Isaih props, and the coaching chair, if that happens -- the greatest soap opera on the biggest stage. Bigger than Shaq - Kobe!
The Houston deal is the most attractive of the prominent three. Its hard for me to see how Larry Bird is going to send Ron Artest, Al Harrington, Jonathan Bender and Jamaal Tinsley for tmac. Losing Artest would be a big blow to them. I think he was more instrumental to their success then JO. Both Indiana and Phoenix, with Marion and Joe Johnson and #7 pick, can offer more talent then we do, but SF, Cat and Cato would be a better fit for them. First of all they need defense and a tougher frontline. Cato and Okafor will immediately turn around the leagues worst defense along with Cat who is a good defender. Houston can offer something Indiana and Phoenix cannot, Marketability. SF is one of the most popular players in the NBA and orlando knows this. SF will be able to put fans in the seats regardless of how orlando performs. If orlando doesnt win with either marion or artest then nobody is going to want watch them.
Cato, a tough player down low? That's a new one...he's always been prodded for being soft and lazy, an underachiever. Francis, Mobley and Cato arguably offer the most *known* quantities among the three rumored destinations/packages. But is it the best? Probably not; it's probably the least in terms of future potential for the Magic. The Magic are going to rebuild around defense. Mobley isn't known as a premier defender, despite being a good one. That's why Artest is enticing. Acquiring a potential franchise point guard is also a consideration, and thus the #7 pick is enticing. They also believe Grant Hill is coming back next year and will play the point. Cato doesn't have that much value, especially in the East. He is a player who needs to be motivated, and Orlando is not the situation that would do it. Francis could put people in the seats, but the fans have shown they'll come out for a team of hard-working players. With Okafor and some of the other players offered up, it's a wash. Orlando's marketability lies on Grant Hill and the city itself, in any case. Players don't want to play with Steve Francis. They did want to play with Hill and do want to play in Orlando. If Hill is healthy, he's still one of the most marketable players in the NBA. It may sound crazy, but after 4 years, all parties really believe he's good to go this time. Don't discount his impact on what the Magic look for in any deal, noting he is coming back as a point guard.
I'd reserve judgment on that until he proves it, one way or the other, on the court this season. And yes, it will impact any negotiations of a deal for McGrady.
Heres the link to the video w/ everything that was stated in my earlier post. Lets just hope Vecsey knows what he's talking about this time... Foxsports.com
"Channel 13 reported that a deal is almost done with Orlando that would send Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato for TMac, Declercq, Reece Gaines, and Juwan Howard." http://mb3.theinsiders.com/fhoustonrocketsfrm1.showMessage?topicID=824.topic This is a quote from theinsider.com. It is towards the bottom of the page. This is the first time I've heard an actualy station said to have claimed a deal was close to being done. I'm from Houston but live in DC, someone should get Bob Allen on the freaking line and see what's up. This trade makes sense salary cap wise, but still don't trust the information. Take it for what its worth!
