Some News (and Hey Pee may be right afterall .....)

Loren Woods will not be picked in the top 8 picks. If anybody wants to bet against me, the first person to post "Chic-Fil-A" is in the bet. The bet is one 5 dollar gift certificate to Chic-Fil-A. My side says "No Lo", the other side says "Lo Hi".

So com'on down, get your bets at bbs.clutchcity.bet, your one stop gambling/Rockets source.

 

Getting a stud in the middle would be nice. If we taste fruit on this one it puts us in a good position to sign Chris because he want's someone to help out on the boards. And even if we don't get Chris, we can still fill the SF or PF spot through free agency. It's a win - win. I just don't see how we could get Battier at this point. The first two picks are just too high to take him with (cost), Atlanta won't hedge, and even if they do Chicago is sitting pretty. All that being said I'd like to see Diop Fall into in our hands. A good slide would be nice, but I don't think he will slide to 13.

------------------
humble, but hungry.

 

If we can get into the top 5, my preferred selection would be Griffin (if, ahem, Webber's out of the picture, as Oeilpere mentions in passing). Battier, maybe, but the thinking may be (sorry to say it again) land T-Mo later in the draft.

Does Rodney White play primarily at the 3 or the 4?

------------------

 

I think they are after Diop not Woods. Has anyone ever called Woods a "franchise center?" Diop yes.

The high cost is taking on Richmond and thus an inability to come anywhere near Hakeem's demands. Hakeem will go where he wants to go. We pave the way to D.C. by taking on Richmond.

It will include at least two of our first round picks. Probably KT but I hope not.

We are out of the Webber-stakes because the pretty boy wants to go east and be an all-star. I say it will be Indiana in a S&T, but it cold be the Wizards with Hakeem in the paint.

Still hoping for TRock at #23.

------------------
"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these."

[This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

I'm not a bettin' man, but if I were, I wouldn't take this bet. I can't see Woods going higher than 8 either, and I certainly can't see the Rockets making a huge deal to get him.



------------------
"We're having a pretty good time considering one day we're all going to die." Steve Martin, 1976

 

------------------
humble, but hungry.

[This message has been edited by PhiSlammaJamma (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

I don't deny the trade would be very costly. And, like you say, it may force Dream out the door, later. All I am saying is that the trade can not move Dream's salary, nor Mo's, Shandon's, Bullard's, Moochie. They cannot be included. Only the signed players and future picks (future considerations).

I actually read your push to get the Center to mean we really want Webber, and he is demanding a center.

I would go so far to say, that if we pull off this trade, Webber is a lock. And I am basing this on trade math, CBA rules, and Webber/Rudy quotes.

We will lose (Dream to Renouncement) and (Cato, Walt, Kenny?, 13, 18 in the trade)

but will land

Top 5 (Trade), Webber (straight Free Agent acquisitioin) and Mo' will slide to SF.

And my side wins.

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

PSJ,

Check what thread you're in!

------------------
"Basketball players win basketball games. Athletes win track meets."-- Shane Battier

Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!

Cat's Mock Draft

 

HP,

Just two questions off the topic about salary cap rules.

Can the rockets renounce Hakeem,etc now?

Is there any rule preventing the rockets and another team drafting for each other and making the trade on Aug 1, the day Hakeem can be renounced most likely? Would this be considered collusion?

Okay three.

------------------

 

JJ,

Hakeem is cannot be renounced until he becomes a free agent (July 15th, I think).

Further, the CBA is VERY CLEAR that players in their last year of their contract or option year cannot be traded after the Feb trade deadline, basically until the free agent season begins. That is, THEY MUST become a free agent or take the option year.

Lastly, I think it is pretty clear that talking to free agents and working out deals prior to July 15th, is ILLEGAL. Do you remember last year when it was mentioned that Mobley signed a contract with us in May?

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited June 22, 2001).]

 

That makes me laugh...ooops...and I just pee'd in my pants again.

 

Pops-
What is the Rockets view on taking a young center? Are they willing to continue rebuilding for another 3-5 years while they develop? I know at some point we need to replace Dream, but signing a HS kid really scares me, especially if it does force Dream out and leaves us possibly with Cato & Collier & a 18 y/o as our centers.
How soon do Rudy & CD plan on being out of the playoffs or do they have enough faith in Cat & Franchise that they can carry us there single handidly in the near future.
I really see trading 3 first round picks (and or a good role player like KT) for a young center as a sign that we are willing to rebuild for a couple more years.
Any chance we could move into the top 3 or 4 and sign Battier instead of a big man?
I don't know I just feel bad being out of the playoffs and I hate to think about not making it again next year. Jeez I thought I would have been happy possibly getting a franchise center!

 

4chuckie: I'd LOVE to have Kwame Brown, partly because he might not need as much time to get adjusted.

The highschoolers who have acclimated quickly are generally the ones who already have the physical part of the game in hand, and just need to improve their skill - like Garnett and Bryant.

If I'm not mistaken, Kwame Brown is further along physically than any of the others. Oh, and I know many forecast him as a PF, but I'd still rather have him than Curry, who seems like another two sammiches waiting to happen.

------------------
Newbiehad... coming to a bbs near you, October 31st.

 

Costly?

Hell, if we snag Kwame Brown with the Number One pick, and he turns out to be Antonio McDyess and not Michael Olowokandi, I'd say the pickup was practically free. After all, we won't have had to lose 60 games to get him.

Sorry to say it, but I'd sacrifice one or two years of Hakeem past his prime (he won't play 82 games) for the future of this franchise.

------------------

 

Well, this might change the direction of this thread.

http://www.gomemphis.com/newca/sports/062201/s22grizz.htm

Grizzlies consider top pick
Deal with Wizards at heart of reports


By Ron Higgins
higgins@gomemphis.com

As the Vancouver Grizzlies prepare to open basketball operations in Memphis on Sunday, talk is swirling that the team is working to obtain the No. 1 overall pick in Wednesday's draft.

ESPN.com reported the Grizzlies have been talking with the Washington Wizards, who have the first pick. The report said the Grizzlies have offered point guard Mike Bibby and the team's first choice at No. 6 in exchange for the Wizards' No. 1 pick and forward Tyrone Nesby.

If the deal is done, the Grizzlies may use the top pick to draft either 6-11 high school center Eddy Curry or 7-foot high school forward Tyson Chandler.

Both Knight and team president Dick Versace said Thursday it was team policy not to comment on specific trade possibilities.

"We have four picks in the draft and we've had conversations with other teams about everyone of those picks," Grizzlies general manager Billy Knight said. "That's the normal way of doing business at this time of year."

But are the Grizzlies trying to move up in the draft?

"I wouldn't say trying to move up," Knight said. "I'd say we're listening to anything that's being said to us."

Besides the No. 6 spot, the Grizzlies also have pick No. 27 in the first round. In the second round, the Grizzlies have selections No. 33 and No. 48.

Today, the Grizzlies work out draft prospects for the last time in Vancouver before moving to Memphis.

Starting Sunday and stretching possibly to draft day, the Grizzlies will work out draft prospects daily at Rhodes College. The workouts start at 9 a.m. and are closed to the public.

Knight said the Grizzlies already have conducted workouts for the bulk of their prospects.

A sampling on that list are such names as Seton Hall forward Eddie Griffin, Michigan State guard Jason Richardson, Arizona center Loren Woods, Arkansas swingman Joe Johnson, North Carolina-Charlotte forward Rodney White, North Carolina guard Joe Forte and St. John's point guard Omar Cook.

Knight said tentatively set to work out in Memphis are Austin Peay guard Trenton Hassell, highly regarded high school star centers Curry and Kwame Brown and Turkish center Mehmet Okur.

A last-minute possibility is Oak Hill Academy center DeSagna Diop, who is limiting workouts because of a postseason foot injury.

"I think we know at this point who we like," Knight said. "The question is, `Are we going to get who we like?' It seems like the more you like them, the more unlikely you are to get them."

Versace said that despite the harried atmosphere of this weekend's move to Memphis that focus has remained strong on the draft.

"We have Chuck Daly, our consultant, pouring over tapes," Versace said. "Tony Barone, our player personnel director, and his staff have met to isolate some of the guys we'd like to pick. Billy has been working deals on the phone."

Knight said he wouldn't be rushed into any trades.

"I could have done a deal at the trade deadline during the season, but it's always a rushed deal when you do that," Knight said. "Even now, I don't want trades to be rushed, to be a snap judgment."

After today's workouts, Grizzlies personnel are scheduled to fly to Memphis on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the team will open a draft war room in The Peabody where some of the basketball operations personnel will be temporarily housed.



------------------

 

Here's 3 trade ideas that involve Houston & Chicago, that could legally go down on draft day or before:

Trade #1 (This might be the one that makes OP ecstatic & we drop $.5 mill in salary.)

Houston sends Walt/#13/#18/Drew obligation to Chicago.
Chicago sends Miller/#4/#29 to Houston.

Trade #2 (My personal favorite because it gets rid of Cato & we drop over $2 mill in salary.)

Houston sends Cato/KT/#13/#18/Drew obligation to Chicago.
Chicago sends Miller/#4/#29 to Houston.

Trade #3 (This one makes the most sense, based on the info we've heard so far.)

Houston sends Walt/KT/#13/#18/#23/Drew obligation to Chicago.
Chicago sends Miller/#4/#29/#45 to Houston.

Trade #3 would make the most sense from Chicago's point of view, because they're still actively pursuing Szczerbiak in exchange for Fizer/Artest.KT would replace Fizer as Brand's backup & Walt would add depth & NBA experience to their team. They could then throw in a first round pick or two to help convince Minnesota to do the deal.

We'd free up an additional $1.385 mill in salary, end up with only one first round pick (guaranteed salary), acquire two of Rudy's magical second round picks, & get an adequate center to fill in while Collier & Diop (Yes, I'm predicting Diop as well) grow into it. Trade #3 would definitely be the most costly. If all the projections hold true about T-Mo going late, then maybe we could get him with the #29 pick. Then, the only thing we'd need to work on would be the PF position through free agency. Resign Taylor, Moochie, Langhi & go after JYD or some other PF. The team could look like this for next year:

C: Miller/Collier/Diop
PF: MO/JYD/Collier
SF: Langhi/T-Mo/Bull
SG: Mobley/#45 pick or Colson
PG: Francis/Moochie

You could definitely get some mismatches with that lineup. Any thoughts?


------------------


[This message has been edited by Hottoddie (edited June 23, 2001).]

 

Thanks for the info on buyouts. I had assumed we would save the cash, but wasn't sure if it all came off the first year.

I have been thinking about all this, and really believe we will make a deal with either Washington or Chicago for the one or four pick, and that we will take one of the following big men with it: Curry, Diop, Brown or Gasol.

For all the attraction to Battier, using a top 4 pick for a pure small forward would seem to be a missed opportunity. Size counts, and there are only so many really big men with potential out there. Small forward is the easiest position to "make do" with other players, be they guards or forwards.

Gasol is a guy who gives you mismatch potential in three different positions, and we all know how Rudy loves his mismatches.

Of the 4 players I mentioned, he is the one who helps the most now. Gasol is also the one of the four most likely to (1) get big minutes in year one, and (2) be ready to perform at ROY level given that chance.

The closer it gets to draft day, the more concerned I get about picking a high schooler, even one with great potential.

So, my all new, most recently revised, but hardly written in stone assessment is the Rockets move up to the four pick and take Gasol. Most likely, one of the trade options with Chicago listed in the previous post gets us number four. The beauty of those deals over the Washington deal, is that it does not bust a CAP in our a$$ the way a deal with Wash. almost certainly will.

We keep the ability to pursue free agents, the possibility of signing Dream, and do not leave ourselves with a high schooler who may not pan out for several years.

Lafrentz is still out there, and he might be obtained some time in the next 12 months.



------------------
"We're having a pretty good time considering one day we're all going to die." Steve Martin, 1976