I guess I'm being optimistic regarding Scola. I really think he'll be improved this season and that by the end of the year, the Rockets will be pondering whether they should lock him up for another 2 or 3 seasons beyond his very cheap current contract. The number of NBA players who have signed or talked about signing with teams in Europe is on the upswing. Luis is a big star there and could be offered a very large contract by a Euro team after his contract here ends. In fact, I'll be surprised if he isn't. I'd rather insure we have him another 2 or 3 seasons beyond his current contract at hopefully a smaller amount than if we have to bid against a Euro team. Hey, we had a problem with the 4 spot seemingly forever. Problem largely solved! Whether Landry and Dorsey become starting material is still an unknown (obviously, a huge unknown with Dorsey!). Hopefully, they show us they're worthy of major minutes, but who knows? Landry has to play strong for an entire year and improve his defense. What Dorsey has shown is still just highlights from his college days. Luis, on the other hand, proved himself an effective starter. If he does improve as a starter this season, perhaps the Rocks should insure he sticks around for awhile. I certainly understand your point, though. Being a major player in that off-season could be very attractive. And as you point out, what happens with Artest and McGrady is very much up in the air.
I think we're all forgetting how much of a long shot it was just for Landry to pan out. And he was selected with a higher pick than Dorsey was. Who knows what Dorsey will become, all we've heard is that Morey considered him the best defensive big man in the draft (making him more comparable to Hayes than Landry) and that Dorsey thinks that he can shoot three pointers and make free throws at a 75% clip. All we have to go on is Morey's track record, but nevertheless I remain skeptical on this one.
I think Tmac would take a reduced contract, ASSUMING the Rockets are still competitive on some level when the time comes for him to up his contract. I think he would take, say... a 10 million a year deal for 3-4 years and that would be his last major contract.
I see your point about the lure of returning to Europe for more money and fame. If it doesn't look like the Rockets will have significant cap room in 2010 (again, much of which will be determined by whether Artest is re-signed and if T-Mac's deal is extended), then I think that Morey will look to lock Scola up longer term. But having Landry, Hayes and Dorsey all under contract for multiple seasons will give the Rockets a fallback position if they take the gamble with their possible 2010 cap room and risk losing Scola that summer. But I agree. Unless it would interfere with the team's ability to add a big-time free agent in 2010, the Rockets would be wise to lock Scola up.
