While everyone is already talking about the summer trades, which person besides (T & Y) you will feel sad if Rox is not keeping? I would say Wesley. He plays tough defense and always try to stay in front of his opponent.
I really like our team this year, I would love to keep Deke, Jon and David next year so I hope none of them leave... I know Jon and David wanted to play on a team close to home, but it very clear that Deke and Jon are having lots of fun playing on this team, but I dont know about David... I would think the guys would sign on again next year, and Deke could take less money to play here because Les did the Tux and Tennies for him, but who knows.. I think we will try to trade Mooche and Spoon and if anyone is dumb enough to take Vin off our hands (I'm looking your way Orlando)
I was wondering that too - last time I checked, Howard, Sura, James, and Wesley are all under contract next season ... so Deke and Barry are the ones you are asked about ?
I'm sad to see almost any player go. I'm sad even when it is for a player or players that will make the team better. I was not sad to Antoine Carr, Dave Jamerson, David Wood, Charlie Ward, Charles Oakly, Scotty Pippen, or Dave Feitl go, but pretty much everyone else, I was a little sad about.
Sura will be here and so will Deke we would be a damn fool to let Deke go.... Barry I think is gonna retire after this season... You have to admit without Deke, Rockets would not be in the playoffs....
Free Agents Barry - I would bring him back for 1-2 years with a veteran minimum or slightly above that. I guess he likes it here so a very strong possibility. Mutombo - I don't know really. He has shown this year that he still has lots of gas left. There will be teams interested and maybe he will get a 2 year MLE type of offers. Would you match that? If we feel we are a strong contender next year, I guess we'll match, but we have other pieces to worry about before that. Bowen - I don't believe we have much competition for his services. He seems to like it here and we should keep him, propably for the minimum salary. Padgett - Player Option. I don't think he opts out, but if he did, I can't see him getting more than 2 -3 millions a year, which is just a little bit larger than his current contract. Not a priority by any means if he tests the market. Braggs - Might get a 10-days again if we have injuries, but won't be signed at the start of the season, at least not to a guaranteed contract. Expiring contracts after next year Wesley - He is under a contract for next year and he makes about 5 M. I would trade him only, if we can get something really good for return. like a pure PG or a tough, young, promising PF. His defense is great, and I think he can contribute for at least 2 more seasons off the bench. Baker - Makes about 4 mil next year. He is the most likely expiring contract to be traded along with Moochie. Moochie - Some sources say we have a team option after next year. If correct, he might be an asset with his 4 Mil contract. Spoon - 6.5 Millions. Expiring contract. I like him more than most here, but we can't keep 6 Pfs on a roster forever, and I'd rather have Bowen or Padgett as the end of bench guys so he will be traded if possible. Other Ward - I think he retires or is bought out. Or we trade Moochies contract and he is the 3 string pg. All in all, we have a fairly good cap situation, but a lot will depend what players are available for epiring contracts. If CBA stays the same, with Max deals to T-mac and Yao, we won't have major cap space anyway if we sign somebody this offseason. ( I don't see our major targets taking 1-year contracts.) And to answer the original question: Yes, I would be be sad for anyone going (except Baker, Moochie, Ward) since I like this team a lot, and think they deserve a shot next year regardless of our success this year, BUT to survive in this league, you always have to try to improve the team.
Is that speculation, or did you hear something? That's pretty hard for me to buy into Ñ watching the kind of energy he brings and hearing on his 610 interviews how much he loves playing for this team. I would sure hate to see JB go. Without him in the Phoenix game the other night, I think we chalk up a loss.
I like this year's team too but the Rox gotta get younger. For players like Mutumbo, Sura, and Barry I'm not sure how good they're going to be next year. JVG and CD have done a good job getting the right mix so far but this isn't a team built for the long term.
I would be surprised if Wesley and Mutombo are back again next year. Mutombo is going to get offered more than he's worth. Wesley's the most tradable player on the team with his expiring contract. Plus, we already have someone very similar in James.
Ok...Ill give ya Sura since he seems to be having trouble coming back from the last injury, alot depends on how well he rehabs this summer. but...if you recal, alot of ppl were calling Deke out of gas last summer...and what do we see this year?? The guy is flatout in great shape, and his desire is still there. Even if he played at 50% of what he has given us this year...that would still be better than what many here predicted upon hearing we were getting him. as far as Barry goes...unless the back spasms have a deeper rooted cause than what we know at this time, I dont see how he isnt gonna be good enough to be a nice backup next year. It isnt like he is hobbling down the court this year... If you are expecting a sudden rush of yungsters on the Rockets next year...you gonna be disappointed...best case scenario is that we find a decent player that can help us immediately from the draft (unlikely), a guy for the MLE that is still relatively young, and if we are really lucky either Spanolious or Badiane show they are ready to come over... Better be prepared to deal with having some old guys off the bench...at least for the next couple of years.
I think dikembe has knows he's made his worth. I think money is of no importance to him anymore. If anything, he'd want to go to a team that's championship calibur, since that's the only thing he's missing. But I think he likes it here, and I hope he'll stay. Take note: 12309124 "I thinks". I'm not sure everyone is going to stay, but i'd like for all ofthem to. We need to rid ourselves of Baker and Moochie, and Spoon if possible too. Oh and Charles Ward (lol) needs to do us a favor (since we gave him a chance here), and just retire. He's done.
