I can think of some reasons why O'Neal would want to come here. If he goes to SA, he will have to play center as long as Duncan is a Spurs (which will be a loooong time), not a natural position for him. With the Rockets, he will be the natural starting PF with Yao as the center, one of the best frontline in the league. While he's "the man" in Indiana, he knows that the Rockets have a brighter future than the Pacers. If the Rockets can convince him to force the issue with the Pacers, there is a possibility that we can get him through sign and trade. I'm willing to trade any number of role players we have for him. With Yao, O'Neal and Francis in place, it's not that difficult to acquire role players to build a title contender. I'm not sure what to think if they demand Francis in the trade. I guess that'll depend on what other pieces we will get in return.
If JO signs the max, 13 mil I believe, then I am afraid Rox will have no money to pay Yao in 3 years unless either you pay lux tax, or you have a bunch of 1-2 mil player.
JO is a superstar. We give Indiana a list of our roster, cross out Yao and Francis, and they can have any combo of anyone else. Plus a pick or two. Plus we'll take Croshere's bad contract. Trade accepted.
This is ridiculous. I'm sure that there are much better offers out there than what we can package, right? Hell the Trailblazers could offer significantly more to bring him back. Essentially we get the best C in the East for little more than a backup C, a trigger happy 2-guard, a PF who can't rebound, and a mid-late first rounder. Not to mention that Taylor's and Cato's salaries are extremely high and long term.
agree completely, if i was the Pacers i would rather let him walk for nothing than take on the contracts in this package.
If they got Cato then they would arguably STILL have the best C in the East. Sad but true. It's an S&T though, the Pacers have no leverage; How do you think we got Scottie Pippen for Roy Rogers? I agree that nobody would want Taylor, Griffin is far more attaractive, but contrrary to opinion on this board, Mobley is actually not the worst shooting guard on earth, at least so JVG believes. You get a 20 point man with a cap friendly deal. Those guys don't grow on trees.
Cassel wasn't on that 1994 Championship team. The hot headed one, he got thrown off the team, can't remamber his name darn it!He never played a minute on that team (in championship) and still got the ring.
Cato is a solid player at best, even in the East, he is nowhere near the best C, offensively he is Mutumbo bad, i would much rather have Big Z, Brian Grant, Magloire, K Thomas, J Collins, Brad Miller, B Wallacem Ratliff, Curry and even Battie. Pippens trade was before the newer CBA and luxury tax, when would teams would and could afford to take anything back in return. Sure Mobley is a great scorer and yes he has a sensational contract in the current environment, but how is his contract coupled with Cato and MoT cap friendly. there is no way Indy does this deal, they would be much better to re-sign B Miller and go with Harrington at the 4 than pick up Mobley and bad contract slops.
are you talking about Sam Cassell. If so, i have no idea what the hell your talking about because that guy did.
A) Cassell was on the team in 1993-94 that was his rookie season B) Vernon Maxwell played quite a bit on the first championship team it was the 1994-95 team with Drexler that Mad Max was kicked off the team.
I cannot imagine this pipe dream occurring. I do know it will take THREE to tango: O'Neal Indiana Whichever team the above two agree on
Well I agree with you that it will likely nver happen, its all speculation anyway so I don't really care much either way. I think the fact that most of those C's you listed up there would be PF's if they played out West underscores how hurting the East is at the C spot. Cato is better than Mutombo offensively IMO, if only the fact that he has that pick'n'alley play, and because he knows his limits. That's all he has, true, but it's one more play than Mutombo, who seems to have become possessed with the spirit of Yinka Dare. Taylors contract is awful and nearly undealable, true, Cato's, when you look at how hard it is to find a decent Back-up C who manages to come in and be a forece on the boards in limited minutes, is really not as bad as it was 2 years ago. It's not good, but it ain't Moochie-bad.
Who said anything about the Suns? I think the team everybody refers to is the SPURS. NBA champs with a cap space and a need for a talented big man. Yeah, there he would be #2 for sure and practically guranteed a championship. Chill out, unless there's something about this slinslin or whatever dude I don't know about.
My God, you guys need to figure out the FA market. If an FA wants to go somewhere, he will be there. Simple as that. O'Neal would love to be here because Yao is 22, he's 24, and Steve's 26. Basically, they'll grow together, and he KNWOS that he can get a championship. I can see this 3 star line up working, AS LONG AS we have certain type of players at the other 2 positions. Of course, I'd love to bring in another PG to play with Steve. I don't think this team can work with a true SG taking shots. Jeff McInnis at the 1 and James Posey at the 3? McInnis can be had for a future pick, or we can probably have him and Woods for Griffin. Something can be done, because he rarely played last season. Ming O'Neal Posey Francis McInnis I think this team can go a LOOOOOOONG way. If O'Neal WANTS to ABSOLUTELY come to Houston, then this deal is possible. Otherwise, this deal is impossible.
I love Les Alexander and Carrol Dawson but if they sign off on the deal reported by the thread starter, I will assinate them. O'neal is great, but that trade gives too much. Cat/Mo or Cat/Cato not all 3 for just him, that's r****ded.
I understand that Jermaine can choose, but why on earth does Indy have to get double screwed, if Jermaine says to Indy he want to go Houston and can you please work a sign and trade, then where does it say Indy has to agree to this. If Indy contacts the rockets and lays it out and the rockets reply with an off of Mobley and Cato and Mo's bad contracts. Then why can't the Indy, say to Jermaine "Houstons offer is crap and screw us big time with bad contracts.... NO" they seriously would be better to let him walk for nothing than take this deal, in which case if he wants a big deal he can't land in Houston .
frick. if we get jermaine oneal, thats like a 99% chance to be one of the greatest front courts ever. it doesnt matter who the other people are. posey is fine, we can always sign some dude to stand out there and play D.
well david aldridge is having his espn chat tomorrow i believe at 12pm houston time. let's flood his messages with the Jermaine O'neal question. there are plenty of people on this board
