Awesome post to get the off-season discussions kick-started, DD. I agree with much of what you say, here are my thoughts in sequence to what you started with: 1. Ron Artest: I think having a healthy Battier doesn't necessarily compel the Rockets to tie up money in to a long-term contract with Ron (which is what he will want 4 or more years, no less). I don't think keeping Ron is the priority for the Rockets unless he was willing to stay on the cheap. I predict Morey will end up not signing him. Perhaps Rockets go after someone like James Posey or Travis Outlaw? 2. TMAC: I don't think his contract is as attractive as trade bait with other teams as many on the BBS thinks for the simple fact that his actual rehab and return is still no guarantee and I'm not sure even the struggling teams would want to deal with that. Plus, TMAC's stock is at an all time low, not just his physical health but especially his mental health. I think the Rockets will be stuck with him next year and the best we can hope for is he comes back physically and mentally stronger and can contribute something positive to the team. I think the emergence of AB and Lowery as our PGs could be a good thing for TMAC as he may have a more defined role in playmaking--a current weakness among our PGs. 3. Von Wafer: I think he will be OUTTA here this summer! For all the negatives you mention and the immaturity he displayed in a critical playoff game does not bode well for him. Plus with the chance of losing Ron Artest and TMAC not being healthy, I don't see his lack of defensive ability keeping him here. I think that Morey feels confident that he will be able to find an athletic wing player with a similar skillset through free agency or trade that won't break the bank (again like a Posey or Outlaw). I personally like Von and if he signed on for a cheap contract (less than 3 million per/yr) and could accept a bench role much like a JR Smith, then yeah, do it. Next Group: 1. Yao Ming: I think the Rockets will stay committed to him for max contracts for many, many years to come. Les realizes his importance to China, how that brings him other economic benefits, and the fact that Yao has probably the best reputation among players in the league. He isn't going anywhere, he will remain the centerpiece of the franchise. 2. AB and Lowry: I agree with you, I don’t think the Rockets do anything to change the PG position at all. I believe they will stick with what they have. Again, keeping these 2 at the point could open the door for TMAC to stay in Houston for at least his last year and if he can accept a reduced role which I think he will. Since neither PGs are really playmakers, Rockets will need to have a wing that has some playmaking abilities (unlike Ron and Von). 3. Backup Center: No question on this one. I actually think this issue will be the number 1 priority for the offseason and will likely be the source of dozens of threads! Next Group: 1. Joey Dorsey: Don't think he will be on the roster next year at all. 2. James White: I agree with you here. I think he is our next year's Von Wafer and will definitely be on the roster next year. 3. Brian Cook: Morey will pull some magic with this contract. He will not stick on this roster.
Yao taking the summer off is the first step. He rushed back last year. But whatever it takes, we need to let T-Mac go and even Yao....unless you talking marketing and if thats the case, Yao will be playing in a Rocket uni for about 15 more years. No way can we count on either one of these guys and if we DO keep Yao, he can't be built around. He is Bill Walton but 8 inches taller. So maddening because I think the talent is all here for a significant run for at least 5 years. But when your TWO best players are soft as a wet napkin, you really can't count on anything. I am for letting both go. T-Mac first. As for Ron, I agree with you DD, you have to be careful with him but I do want him back. If he leaves, we might as well be the Lakers. I think finesse teams have a hard time winning championships. How did the Suns do? The Mavericks came close but uh...no. Maybe these years Lakers can do it. I would sign Ron for 3/18. I would really like him to stay. Its pretty evident his one on one defensive skills are not as they use to be and overall, he is not the Artest of 2004. But that attitude...I love it! MEAN!
Back up Center is going to be very important as well. I mean I know there isn't another Deke out there but you saw the difference it made when you had a shotblocker/rebounder in the lineup. Portland couldn't do anything against Deke. Theo Ratliff could be someone the Rockets should look at. At the same time, the Rockets should look to grab a young raw player with size. Maybe a draft pick.
Morey has to look at it like a business, this is Asset management. The business is winning basketball games and business was pretty good this year, however, what can he do to IMPROVE the business? There are tough decisions to be made up and down the roster, and chemistry is a fleeting thing, this team has it.....so any trade has to consider that factor. Chemistry or the lack of it with Tmac is one of the reasons I think he is gone, he has alienated his teamates with his prima donna attitude and the "If I played with so and so" etc. I think his contract will be very valuable to teams looking to shed money....you might get Granger for instance, but you would have to take Dunleavy and Tinsley in that deal..... Morey will do something...it will be fun to see. Got to improve the business...don't you know... DD
LOL - I like Chuck for what he is...he should stay on this team as an emergency PF/C that is an elite post defender..... I would like him to work on his offense and FTs though.... DD
He got a really bad contract in having Tmac...I like artest a lot and want him back next year...but i agree with you if he hogs all our money than no. And I do not want him back if he is our focal point for offense
The problem with Ron is that he thinks he is better than he is....there are games he goes off and looks all-world, but those are few and far between. This team needs guys who can play within the system and support each other, but more importantly someone at the wing position that can create...I have said for more than 5 years we need 2 penetrating players on the court to win it all. Parker and Manu.....we have our Parker....where is our Manu....and please do not say Tmac, he is not nearly as efficient. DD
I think that's remedied by bringing in a vet PG as the team's second option. As it is now Artest is the go to wing player. If it doesn't go through Yao, it goes through Artest.
It is a tough decision for the rockets concerning on Ron Artest, he is overrated at this point, but I still want to keep him for three years of $18-20M. I would sign Wafer for 3/9. The role players can exchanged without a big problem, just do not overpay the players.
The three biggest question marks are also the team's three biggest contracts. If we trade Tslack, whomever we get in return must include a large expiring contract (Brad Miller? Kenny Thomas?) so that we can pay Scola, Brooks, Landry, Lowry, in another year or so. Unless they are moved out as part of some deal. If you could trade Tmac for simply a strong role player with some toughness and a large expiring contract (Nocioni + Thomas), would you? Wouldn't that be worth something to the Kings and their intentions to cut future salary to make a move to Vegas? Would it make re-signing Artest less of a priority? If DD got his wish and we traded Tmac for no-pass no-D Maggette and, say, Jamal Crawford (as Don Nelson would have it), again, would that make re-signing Artest expendable? Artest brings a toughness the team needs but he's really off the reservation sometimes when it comes to the offense. That's going to be a tough one. As far as Yao, the Rockets could never bring themselves to part with him anyway, and I do like the guy, but get him a solid solid backup to cut his minutes and bring him out of the paint so that: a) Our guys can attack the basket b) Yao can actually finish a season
1. Dorsey's contract is only guaranteed through this year, making him virtually an expiring contract. 2. White's contract is not guaranteed, making him an instant expiring contract. We could technically trade him to a cash strapped team and they could waive him to save cash. 3. Cook's player option also makes him an expiring. 4. Barry is an expiring contract as well. This doesn't really get much press, but we actually have quite a few expiring contracts at THE END of the bench. Individually, none of these guys will bring back much, but their salaries add up to about 6.5 million, which is enough to bring back a quality player. Morey also has a little big of wiggle room here too. He can bump that number up to about 8 something if he decided to include a draft pick (that we buy from someone else) or 8.5 if he includes Hayes (money not guaranteed in 2010). The same can be done with Scola's contract too but I'd be surprised if we trade him since he's such a bargain for his contract. So when you think of possible offseason moves, don't forget that we have a few trade options other than moving Tracy's big contract. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Morey package together a few of these guys and a draft pick to a rebuilding team for a quality veteran like he did last year to get Artest.
I think a backup center is really only all we need. But who are the PRODUCTIVE backup centers we can get on this team?! Personally the perfect backup i think would be Marcus Camby or Chris Kaman, both with medium sized contracts.
I don't think that's very realistic. Kaman's contract is too long and Camby is too valuable as both a player and an expiring contract for LA. I'd love to see Chris Andersen or Gortat as our backups. I think Zaza would be okay too, but I'm not sure if we even have the money for any of them either. Most realistic scenario (and its a long shot, but if it works I think its the best case scenario) is Morey buys a second rounder who surprises, Like Landry, and contributes right away in spot minutes.
Be appreciative of Brian Cooks expiring. We will have to make some moves to get over the hump and most of our players, sans McGrady, have very small efficient contracts. B.Cook will give the rockets an expiring to pair with either Landry's or Brook's contracts. That should create some buying power. McG's might just be too big for any team to swallow. and that's not what she said.
well here are my .02 on the situation The Big Questions: 1. Ron: This guy became the leader after tracy went out and rafer shipped. You cannot knock Ron on not giving effort out there, he does and he did a lot of on the floor coaching/leadership to our young guys even during bad blowout losses. That stuff is important it helps you become mentally strong. The problem is sometimes Ron believes he is better than he actually is. Given his age and declining skills (especially defensively) I would really not give Ron anything over a 3 year deal. Also I would not give him anything more than what he is making now. Will Ron like that? Probably not he feels ( like most players) that he is worth much much more than that. I do not think Morey will let him walk for nothing while we retain his Bird Rights. Actually I am positive he wouldnt just let him walk away for nothing if he can help it. Get another player back in return or get back multiple draft picks. 2.McGrady: I am pretty sure this guy is gone. We dont know how he will come back from his surgery and if he will put in the effort needed to get back to the top of his game. He hasnt before but maybe he will now because its a contract year? Beyond the whole knee/conditioning issue of last year is his play itself. I dont mean the jacking up of 20 footers, but his inability to play within Rick's offense. We saw that the year before that after Yao went out the towards the end of the season and on into the playoffs the offense became too "tracy-centric" and less about getting touches for everyone. If I had a choice between tracy dribbling out the clock and Ron I choose Tracy every day of the week because he will at least make that pass if needed. To me the biggest question will be will Tracy be willing to buy into the offense, he has had ample time to see what this team can do when sharing the ball, all his teammates have grown both in skill and confidence. If he comes back strong from his injury and buys into the offense this probably is the best case scenario for the Rockets. face it we all (well most of us) have come to dislike/hate tracy but when healthy and working within the offense he is one of the best players in the NBA today. and at least from BimaThug's thread it seems that resigning mcgrady may be the best option the Rockets have. I think as fans we all have a "what has he done for me lately" mentality and if Tmac comes back and plays well within the offense than most of his transgressions from this season will be forgotten (but not necessarily forgiven) Best Case scenario: Tmac realizes he cant be the #1 option anymore after his surgery comes back and plays well in a reduced role. The team becomes lethal and he resigns in houston and a much more respectable salary given his output/injuries Worst Case: He comes back strong but refuses to commit to the offense and still go PnR with Yao all the time and hold the ball. Morey will try to move him for something come trade deadline. 3. Von: I am not sure about this guy. He had the ability to keep the Rockets in the game or the opponent in the game. He had several careless turnovers in the playoffs and honestly had a hard time adjusting to a reduced role after getting some starting minutes with Tracy and Ron out. He is a streaky shooter and a great attacker to the basket. Personally I do not believe he is that mentally strong and has a low bball iq. I am not sure if any of those will change. He was a great bargin at the contract he had but I am sure he will be looking for either the most money or the longest term deal possible. I do believe 2-3 million is good value for him and that not to over pay him at all. I would rather take a risk on James White who at least from most reports has worked extremely hard as well to make it back into the NBA. I hope Von can stay with a 2-3 year deal I think once he has some security he may play more within his role and focused without worrying "what will happen to me next?" and learn on how to drive and dish instead of just drive and shoot against 3 defenders. medium questions 1. Yao: health is the biggest thing, he played in a lot of games this season but dont forget the olympics as well he came back probably closer to the lower end of his rehab time from last year to play. with a full summer off and time to rest I think Yao can be efficient with his reduced minutes and reduced practice time. its a shame that it had to happen during the playoffs. I think Yao will be happy to accept a reduced role if it means team success and added years to his career. For some reason I am not that worried about Yao. 2. PGs: For once I feel that the position has been set. Brooks has grown and learnt a lot in these playoffs and that will only benefit him. Remember he really only had 1/2 season as a starter and in a lot of ways he was a rookie PG out there with little playing time his rookie season. A lot of bad mistakes but he will learn from this and it will make a difference next season. Reminds me a lot of tony parker in that sense who made a lot of mistakes early on and learnt from them and now is one of the best PGs in the NBA. Lowry is a great great backup this guy is just straight fearless and will attack you at any given chance. No wonder why Morey wanted this guy from day 1. He must improve his jumper though. He needs to extend his range to the 3 point line to make defenses play him more honest. Its weird I actually think he has a really good midrange game, his shot mechanics look good (unlike rafer's) and so he just need to extend his shot out. Work on this the entire summer and he could possibly steal the starting spot from Brooks. 3. backup C: I would actually put this as one of the "BIG" questions. We need a true 7 footer on the team that can play offense and defense to give Yao a rest. Deke was awesome but he could only play one side of the floor, without Deke we had Chuck who was just like deke except 8 inches shorter. We need someone who can be out there and deter people with his shot blocking threats and rebounding while not being able to be a total stiff on the offensive end. Yao has to play more because at times there is no one to protect the basket and there are no easy possessions in the half court without his post presence. Whether Morey acquires this player through the draft, FA or trade this has to be just as much as a priority as what to do with Ron (i would saying finding a good backup C is more important than keeping Von) small questions: Dorsey: I think he may be gone next season as part of some trade package, he has a lot of raw defensive talent but like chuck and deke can only dunk/shoot within 3 feet of the rim. I think Morey realizes that having someone like this is great but it cannot be the only type you have for a big man. We have chuck who doesnt have the physical gifts of dorsey but is a much smarter, tougher player. Unless Dorsey goes and has an amazing off season I dont see much time in his future in Houston. James White: Wafer insurance if he bolts they games are really similar but can White work within the offense and produce or will he be thinking about getting 'his' so he can sign a long term deal with someone? I think the Rockets will play him in the summer league (if they can) to see what he can do. cook: yeah i hate this guy nuff said Morey will have a lot on his plate this off season but I do think he will come out well, to me the biggest issue is getting a good backup C. If signing Ron and trading him can result in a backup C and a draft pick you do it. You can fill the bench with talented wing players a lot easier than finding a center.
