OP, Do the Rockets still have any interest in Marc Jackson? Maybe, a resigned Willis/Collier for Jackson in a sign & trade? Speaking of Willis, do they plan on resigning him, or does he even want to come back?
How about bringing in Stockton to school Steve? That should be cheaper, and pay more dividends. I can't imagine giving anything of value (Steve, Cat, Griff) for Malone. I'd take him for trash, sure, but wouldn't give the 5th pick. 14th and Taylor, Rice or Cato, + Mooch or KT, ok. I'd be surprised to see the Rox pull off anything major. They blew it with Rice, Taylor and Cato already. The only option is to take someone else's big stiff with fewer years on the contract. 1 big stiff for two or three medium stiffs. Barring that your players who will be here are Steve (headaches) Cat - chek mark - good year Rice (damaged) Mo T (damaged) Cato ( um, yeah.) Griffin (young, thin) + or minus Mooch (TLD) KT (undersize) The () indicate trouble exchanging the player for value. We really need a quality big man, much more than a quality 3. There is just no inside presence on this team. I hope we get one in the draft or trade. I just looks hopeless in the West without some inside muscle.
The most probable thing would be Rice + pick for Marshall. One thing I don't know is what the status of the option on Marshal's contract is. Has the Jazz exercized it already? In any case Marshall could be a free agent after one year, or could be a free agent right away, so the rockets will free some cap space in the rich 2003 FA season. Would that be worth the #5 pick? I don't think so. If it was to get rid of MoTay contract, then maybe. Rice's contract is only 2 years. I think it is worth Toront's pick though. I wouldn't mind keeping marshal for a year either. We need to do everything possible to get to the playoffs next year. It will be nice for the guys to get a taste of it, plus we'll be sending our pick to Memphis. The problem is, I don't see it happening. Seattle, LA Clip, Golden State, and Phoenix will all be better than the Rockets, and Utah and Memphis will at least be as good as the Rockets.
According to the Jazz website, Marshall is a FA this summer. http://www.nba.com/jazz/news/warner_forwards.html In June, can you trade players whose contract expire July 1? If so, this may be a way for the Rockets to free up cap space to pursue Lewis. However, Marshall for Rice wouldn't work straight up, the Jazz would have to add more salary. If the Jazz threw in Kirilenko, I would do it.
You cannot trade for a player whose contract is expiring after the trading deadline, unless it is a sign-and-trade.
Have you ever read Barkley's comments on Steve and Cuttino? If they didn't listen to Barkley, why would they listen to Stockton?
Have you heard Steve's comments (especially from yesterday) in relation to the incident. Not that Barkley ever exaggerates or says r****ded stuff
JayZ - totally forget Barkley's comments. Your honest opinion - would Steve Francis listen to and learn the game from John Stockton? Be honest.
I think to an extent, yes. Obviously there wouldn't be many sit down dinners or anything, but I beleive Francis recognizes what does and doesn't work on the court, would see what Stockton does, and would definitely learn from it. On the other side, Steve is still his own player and won't just sit down and be a student or anything. Ironically, it is the same attitude a player like Barkley had/has - respect for the elder, more experienced players, but energetic youth and confidence in themselves.
One bonus for bringing Stockton in - Steve's foul trouble goes "poof". Instant respect, so long as he looks over at the bench for "coach backup's" approval or reaction once or twice a game.
We should trade for Stockton for the sole purpose of making him the locker room b****...especially if we draft Caron Butler or Lee Benson...I'm sure he was Butler's type of b**** when Butler was in the pokey
