My concern is that the Rockets appear to lack depth given that their history of injuries. We can all probably agree that Rice, MoTay, and Cato will likely miss 10+ games due to injuries. Yoa may also miss some games due to fatigue. This all brings to point that the Rockets currently lack depth, especially in the front court. If Cato does go down, who would eat the backup minutes at the 5? EG who is undersized at the 4? MoTay would probably be the best choice, but not a great one. If EG or MoTay go down, this is a bigger problem. None of the Rock's 3s or 5s can play the 4. Last year we had TMo who did a respectable job. The 3 spot is less of a concern, since the roster has 3 players at that spot (Rice, A Griffin, Nachbar) and two players who have played it in the past (Piatkowski and Mobley). I suspect the Rocks are currently in the market for a backup 4/5, who does not have to play everyday. I also would be surprised if the Rocks waited until the other teams make their final roster decision before the season starts to make their move.
Im assuming the rockets will trade for Stromile Swift, right before they show off the Uniforms, but its likely. This guy gives you so many options. He plays the 3,4,5. Plus hes just a monster on the boards and just very active,attractive in youth. I would really like the rockets to make a fast trade here and take some of the roster bulk away from the grizzles. Rice for Swift,Battier,???? Probably couldnt get Battier, but hey the grizz would probably take a draft pick to clear some players away, They did receive posey from us.... Norris,Rice,Plus 1st,2nd Rounder... 4 Swift, Battier. This gives Mike Wilks a chance to blossom, and i think Mike Wilks could be better than Moochie at backup, hes younger than mooch and like eddie needs the time to blossom.....
Jerry West will not give up 2 Lottery picks for Moochie and an expiring contract. If Swift and Battier were on the table, this wouldn't be the best offer available. The Grizz have ~$33.3m committed for 2004-2005 for 9 contracts (not counting Battier, Swift or Mike Miller). They will need an additional $4.3m for Gasol putting them at ~$37.3m committed. If they took on Moochie they would then have ~$40.3m committed for 11 contracts. Without getting into the finer details of Miller being a QO FA, I will just make the point here that Rice's expiring contract is valueless to the Grizz. It provides them no cap relief and they have taken on Moochie's lengthy contract. All that for two former Lottery picks with potential...not a good offer.
Maybe throw in Cato,Collier,hawkins in the deal instead and they give us one of there pg. I think that might work. Juanic Hawkins (s&t) Jason Collier(s&t) Moochie Norris Kelvin Cato 1st Rounder,2nd Rounder 4 Shane Battier Stromile Swift Brevin Knight They have Troy Bell, and Knight probably wont get alot of mins, this way we could have knight getting some good mins behind Francis and Wilks replacing Knight!!!
WHATS SO GREAT ABOUT STROMILE SWIFT?!?!??!!??! I prefer keeping Eddie, its like they are racing each other and thinking to themselves WHO WILL GET THERE FIRST?!?!?!... i dont see the big deal with battier or swift... Trash Trash Trash Trash... V_V
