Houston trades: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 24.7 minutes) PF Maurice Taylor (8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 20.6 minutes) SG Cuttino Mobley (17.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg in 41.7 minutes) PF Eddie Griffin (8.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.1 apg in 24.5 minutes) Houston receives: SG Allan Houston (22.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.7 apg in 37.9 minutes) C Kurt Thomas (14.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.0 apg in 31.8 minutes) PG Frank Williams (1.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.6 apg in 8.0 minutes) SF Lee Nailon (5.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 apg in 10.7 minutes) Change in team outlook: -0.2 ppg, -2.8 rpg, and +0.9 apg. New York trades: SG Allan Houston (22.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.7 apg in 37.9 minutes) C Kurt Thomas (14.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.0 apg in 31.8 minutes) PG Frank Williams (1.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.6 apg in 8.0 minutes) SF Lee Nailon (5.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 apg in 10.7 minutes) New York receives: SF Glen Rice (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.1 apg in 62 games) PF Maurice Taylor (8.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 67 games) SG Cuttino Mobley (17.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 apg in 73 games) PF Eddie Griffin (8.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.1 apg in 77 games) Change in team outlook: +0.2 ppg, +2.8 rpg, and -0.9 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and New York being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and New York had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Just say NO to Houston. Dude makes too much $$$ and Mobes can do the same thing cheaper. I think Mobley's game is going to change this year for the better. He is really the guy on the bubble right now, but I really think he can help our team.
I think Van Gundy was misquoted. I remember this exact same quote from another article and he was referring to his assistant coaches and not players. I think this guy misquoted him on purpose to write this article.
What is Houston good for? Shooting. What are cheaper role players like Person, Barry, and Kerr good for? Shooting and the occasional deffense. If u want shooters to sorround Steve and Yao, go for the cheap type.
Having someone like Houston to open up the middle for Yao would be tremendous! This is one of the reasons I had hoped the Rockets would have gone after Ray Allen before the trading deadline. Those players would be great in our offense. However, with Houston's salary, it just is not a good business decision. I would pass on any deals with Allan Houston specifically because of his contract.
I bought the Chicago Tribune this morning (I live in Midwest, so...) and I saw that. Believe me...ain't no way we're trading for a jump shooter who'll be making 20 million by the time he hits 35. Sam Smith needs to pay better attention to what he reads. Now, changes....there should be some (fingers crossed). But Houston in Houston? Les Alexander would look at that salary and go, "BUWAHAHAHAHA!" But if we could get Kurt Thomas...hoo boy...sign me up. Now.
I love it when reporters, or Sam Smith, take a quote completely out of context and use it to help start rumors for themselves. Since VG was actually speaking of his coaching staff here, and most specifically Patrick Ewings, I'm guessing Smith knows nothing as usual.
The Knicks over paid for Allan Houston unlike any other contract in sports I can think of other than ARod's deal with the Rangers. As a result, Houston will be on New York's squad for a long time. There will be no team willing to trade for that contract . Houston just isn't worth it and that's not saying Houston's a bad player. He's just grossly over paid.
Houston is a terrific shooter, who when he is on his game has been known to put up 50 points performances. In fact last season that was one of the few bright spots for the Knicks dismal season last year. But as everyone here has stated, he's overpaid to the point where his contract is the only thing that's hurting him. I personally like this Rocket squad with all it's intangible imperfections. As long as we can get atleast get into the playoffs next season I think all fans here will be content for atleast another season. By that time Rices contract should be up, and I believe we'll have some open space from other contract expirations as well. We should be under the cap and should be able to try and acquire the best missing piece(s) towards moving up one more notch in the playoffs the following season. This game is about patience, especially when it comes towards trying to achieve a ring. I mean we're out of an era where the same core group of players played on one team throughout their whole careers. Instead this is a time where FA runs ammock and contracts are enormous. We have plenty of time to get a ring in the near future, especially with our young core of players, and if the organization clears up some salary cap space, we could very well acquire a great player a couple of years down the road with no regrets oppose towards taking a good player now with the possible regret of an enormous contract. I'll take the first route if possible.
I completely agree with this. Not only that, but Mobley himself has to know this. If the Rockets miss the playoffs for the fifth straight time, Mobley will be shipped out. He knows that he will be the fall guy, he knows he will be the easiest to move. In the back of Cat's mind, he has to be saying to himself "If we don't make the playoffs this year, I will no longer be on this team." And I really really don't think Mobley wants to leave. As a result, Mobley will be motivated enough to play a smarter all-around game. This is a good sign for the Rockets next season.
I heard this trade almost went through before Gene Peterson nixed the deal. I guess he stated he would not broadcast for Houston with a player named Houston. I did not know he had so much power.
Do you think JVG and the Rocks will trade with Miami for the #5 since he's brother is a coach there and his relationship with Pat Riley, give me Grant , and TJ Ford!
Cuttino Mobley, Eddie Griffin, Kelvin Cato, and a 1st round draft pick for Elton Brand and Quentin Richardson Your sonics trade...I would do it, but we would be left with only Mo Taylor...and then we would have too many good guards... Francis, Allen, and Barry would be very good. Too good. Jerome James is just like Kelvin Cato.
Just want to clarify it. I think the reporter in Chicago got the context wrong. When Van Gundy talked about bringing some Knicks guys over, he meant assistants instead of players. Check out the transcript in the rockets.com.
What about Rice/Taylor for Sprewell/Thomas. I'd do it, I know Sprewell's a head case, but he's still a pretty damn good player, with two years left on his contract, so it's not like we'd be stuck with him forever, and everyone knows that Thomas is the PERFECT fit as the power forward next to Yao. I think New York would think about, but Rice's expiring contract doesn't help them an awful lot with the insane amount of money they owe Houston for the nest 4 years.
Speaking of a potential trade with the Sonics, I wonder what it would take to get Brent Barry. I think he is the PERFECT player to complement Francis. While he is not a superb defender, he is very athletic and uses his athleticism effectively to stay in front of his man. Plus, he is a great passer. He can fill the role of the "tall PG/SG" to start alongside Francis to allow Stevie to play more SG. Bringing Mobley off the bench, the Rockets could have a phenomenal guard rotation. With the Sonics' aquisition of Ray Allen (who is a phenomenal SG), Barry (also a "SG") may have now become more available. The Sonics really need a PF, and they would probably consider Barry among their best trade bait in order to bring one in. I hate to say this, but I would even possibly trade Griffin to get Barry. While Griffin is still an unbelievable prospect, the team cannot really afford to keep him. Look at the following scenarios: (1) Griffin has a break-through year. He solidifies the Rockets' PF position with his defense, rebounding, shot-blocking, and great cuts on offense from the weak side for layups from Yao's passes. His value skyrockets JUST in time for contract negotiations to begin. His agent will demand a HUGE salary (a la Tim Thomas) based on his potential for continued improvement. With all the big contracts already on the Rockets--and with Yao up for the MAX in a couple of years--the team will not be able to afford him. The Rockets would have to (a) overpay for him and suffer the luxury tax consequences (not an option for Les Alexander); (b) let him go for nothing; or (c) sign-and-trade him for something of far less value. (2) Griffin has another sub-par year. He shows no signs of improvement, even under the tutelege of Jeff Van Gundy. His trade value continues to plummet. Then, his agent will STILL ask for a big contract based on his POTENTIAL. Again, the Rockets could either overpay for him or let him go for little or no value. I say the Rockets should seriously consider these scenarios when contemplating actions regarding Eddie Griffin. If they could secure a VERY good role player (perhaps the best pure role player in the league imho), they should seriously consider it, for both basketball and luxury tax reasons. Btw, it is highly unlikely that Glen Rice will be traded for the very same reasons.
BimaThug, I like Barry, but Barry for Griffin? You're trading a 21 year old potential stud PF for a 32 year old role playing guard? I know that potential is the key word when discussing Griffin, but you just can't give up on a guy who that young and long for a guy who's a role playing guard who will only be around for another 3-4 years. As the old rule goes, you never trade big for small, especially a young big man for a old small one.
