All I can gather from that is that the Rockets had/have some SERIOUS plans for the cap, and it's going to be a real tight squeeze, and an extra pick makes it even tighter. I also gather the Rockets have someone targeted that is 100% going to go top 10 (ie: not Jason Collier), and really need to get in there....Battier perhaps? ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
Hell, I don't know if it should worry them. The Rockets can always give the pick away. There are plenty of teams without decent picks. Hell, if we don't deal with Chicago this year and find no other deal where the pick moves us up, give the pick to a sh!tty Eastern Conference team---that would be any one of about 12 teams---for future considerations. It's like something you know is likely but have it on your mind until it happens and is behind you: "Whew, that's done, now I don't have to worry about it." Guess they're hoarding that cap space for Webber, and every penny counts. ------------------
The deal in the MaClean trade was a first round pick from Orlando or any team's 1st round that was owed to the Magic at the time of the trade (two years ago). The Dallas trade from last year was not considered a factor in this deal. [This message has been edited by Cat5 (edited April 28, 2001).]
Going with that dreamcast, I'd say that Van Horn makes a better power forward than small forward; he plays better closer to the basket. I would say Battier/Jefferson can start at the 3 and Keith Van Horn can start at the 4. Let Mo go and use that money for Marc Jackson as backup center/power forward. The reason I ask, "The draft pick and/or Keith Van Horn?", is because I know we can get Van Horn, but does NJ want to trade #6 for our 3 picks? Would they rather have some depth (that team is always banged up) or Jefferson/Battier? ------------------
I imagine then, that the Rocks will definitely pay off Vancouver with the #18 if the Grizz will take it. Dreamcasting is fun, and an extra pick is always nice to have when dreamcasting, but I for one will be glad just to have that monkey off our back without having to give up our 1st rounder either this year or next year. Although Van Horn is probably a possibility, you guys might consider, given Oeilpere's post immediately following mine, if NJ is willing to move up in the draft for the #13, KT, and cap space next year in the form of Walt and/or Los. ------------------
I think a trade of the 13th and 18th picks along with KT and Shandon for the 6th pick and Gill might be a more realistic possibility.I just don't think that anyone would want to take Cato's contract.New Jersey could also get Haywood with the 13th pick.Gill could be useful to us provided if we could get him in exchange for Walt Williams or Cato. ------------------
Gill is a versatile swing man that would be good as a sixth man for the Rockets, but has the reputation of being a locker room cancer. If the Rockets are going to pick him up, then NJ should take on our current roster tumor - Cato. ------------------
What I want to talk about is what are we gonna do with these picks. Obviously proposed earlier was the idea of our 13 and 18 plus Cato and Shandon for KVH and their 6. Then maybe use the 22 for whatever at 6 we should be able to get our choice of Richard Jefferson or Shane Battier. Resign Hakeem for 5-6 Resign MO 5-6 Resign Moochie 2-3 Sign an extra sg or say trade Walt for Gill too. We would go into 2001-02 like this Hakeem/Collier MO/Kenny KVH/(Jefferson or Battier)/Langhi Cuttino/Gill Francis/Moochie resign Bull maybe keep Carlos. damn. thats a nice team. ------------------ -jbond77
