The idea is that Kidd can threaten to go to San Antonio for nothing, then New Jersey scrambles to find the best Sign n Trade available that Kidd would sign...and the idea is that Kidd would take our offer: (1) Because SnTs would be for about $15-20m more, (2) He'd be taking all the credit for maximizing Yao, versus people saying Duncan delivered him a ring, and (3) San Antonio still might win it all this year, then why break up Parker when they can try to replace Robinson with Brand or O'Neal? Out of the trades that you said were dreams, this is the most plausible...all hinging on Kidd actually realizing he has no chance at a ring in the East.
Don't you think that if this scenario ever presents itself that NJ will at least want something more than just Francis straight up? JKidd is of a higher considerable value than Stevie to begin with and if the Rockets do not give something extra in the form of a draft pick or cash, I am afraid some other team like Chicago can come with something better or more enticing and out-deal us. Don't you think so?
Fegwu, remember...Kidd is a free agent. In Sign N Trades, Kidd must sign his approval. I've thought a lot about this, and I really don't see any other team with a better offer to NJ that Kidd would take. as far as I'm concerned, it is NJ who needs to sweeten the deal, not us, I'm asking NJ for a draft pick to offset age difference. If Kidd really is serious about outside offers, NJ is *not* in the driver's seat, Kidd is...and, to me, it looks like SA and us, only...and the farther SA goes in the playoffs the more it looks to me like they'll stand pat with their backcourt and look to rebuild their frontcourt, especially since two WC power forwards are on the market..and one is a legitimate Center to allow Duncan to stay at PF. I guess Portland could do Zach Randolph and Stoudamire. But none of that has star appeal like Steve Franchise.
I don't think getting a star PF is as important as getting star PG, assuming Yao will become a franchise player. Only the Spurs have won with a double-star front line, and Robinson was already over the hill then. IMHO, adding another dominating inside player (the so-called twin-tower concept) does not make the team much better. It's a good luxury. But it kinda wastes the talents by overlapping the strengths. If we need more muscle and rebounding at the 4, we can get a much cheaper banger to do the job. So if we are going to trade away Francis, I would much prefer to get a great perimeter player back.
Aside from the obvious ones ie Duncan, Garnett, McGrady, Kobe, etc, I'd deal Francis for the following: Elton Brand - Steve Francis has more pure talent than Brand, however a Yao-Brand frontcourt would be extremely tough to pass up. It would probably take the Clippers throwing in their draft pick but I'd probably go for it in some form. The plus is that Steve's BYC wouldnt matter b/c Clipps are under the cap. The big issue besides willing to part with Steve is would Sterling take on his max contract? Jason Kidd - The only potential question here from the Rockets side is how much Kidd has left in the tank. Assuming its 4-5 yrs, I would make this deal b/c I think in that time the Rockets would have a legit title contendor and possibly win 1-2 rings. Problem is, even if this whole smoke and mirrors act works to get NJ to sign and trade him (which is far fetched to say the least), Francis will be 50% BYC, and the Nets are over the cap. Thus, the odds of this one happening are slim to none. Jermaine O'Neal - Assuming the Rockets could acquire Jamaal Tinsley in the deal as well in some sort of package, I'd probably go for this. O'Neal is not the bruiser that Brand is but plays very actively around the hoop and is essentially a 20-10 player. Plus, I am huge fan of Tinsley's game. I would not deal Francis for anyone in the draft except Lebron James.
Easy, Maurice Lucas and Bill Walton were leading scorers #1 and #2, respectively, in '77. A PF/C combo is not "twin towers." What makes you say that? I don't doubt they are rare, but they are rare moreso simply because great centers are so rare. In college, PF/C combos are common enough that teams do have systems for them. They always improve your defense. always.
Vince Carter is not half the player either of those guys is. You just have Ming and Duncan or KG play high/low post and they are unstoppable. 3pt shooters are a dime a dozen.
How dominating was Lucas? From my memory, the Blazers weren't the most dominating team that year. They were the smartest. You may define it differently. My definition of "twin towers" is "two dominating big men playing alongside each other." Olajuwon/Sampson was a twin towers set. Olajuwon/Barkley was a (very lopsided) twin towers set (more like a tower and a mound, but you get the drift). I'm not saying that it's not a good thing. And I certainly agree that it always helps the defense. I'm saying that it's not the most efficient way for using your limited resources. If you can only have two stars, I'd rather have one at the 5 and one at the 1 or 2, maybe 3. You don't need two star-quality frontliners to get better on inside defense. As I said, you can just get a role banger/shot-blocker. If you trade Francis for a star PF, than you are looking at three role players at all the perimeter positions. (I don't see how you can get three stars on the team by trading and/or signing.) It can still be very good, if those players are good shooters. But it's more preferable to have a dominating perimeter players complementing a dominating center.
Smegg, Great question. I would definitely say that I would trade Steve for any of the premier PF's that might be available for the right price this coming season. KG, Brand or O'Neil. Place Yao Ming in the front court with any of those and we instantly become a team with the type of potential that SA has enjoyed with Robinson and Duncan. BTW, they have been saying on the Radio in Dallas that O'Neil wants out of Indianapolis.
I dont want to trade Steve Francis, he only needs coaching to put him in the right direction. ie. playmaking, defence, more passing and less dribbling. If Steve just won't fit our new arrangement( if we ever have one) then I would cetainly expect a star and a back up player, for example Brand and Piatowski would do, or any of the Stars previously mentioned.
Vince Carter is not half the player either of those guys is. You just have Ming and Duncan or KG play high/low post and they are unstoppable. 3pt shooters are a dime a dozen. [/B][/QUOTE] I said it would be a better trade.
LOL. Steve Francis for Jermaine O'Neal. Hmm...WOULD YOU DO IT?!? I would do Steve Francis and Eddie Griffin for Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley. But Pacers wouldn't. HEH.
Not sure if it would work capwise (not the point of the thread) but isn't Jermaine a FA, if he is going to walk for nothing then why wouldn't Indy be interested!!!
I wish we could get Jermaine O'Neal....but most likely, he is stayin with the Pacers or he is gone to San Antonio. But I wish! Don't know if it work.....salary
heypee: why haven't you commented on vince carter? i maintain that he is probably the most gettable (Newgirl word ) player out there. he is also a perfect complement for yao ming.
yeah, we all see how far he has taken the raptors...no thanks. I dont think we need any more players who are ball hogs.
