Which is the right way to go. It's been a tremendous journey for someone who was picked 30th to make it to several Allstar appearances. But he is 'just' a Tier 2 star at this point. Just sidekick level. No need to go all out for him if you are a team with no Allstars.
Perhaps. When I asked about Butler, I did assume both would be available in a package together but it wasn't clearly told to me that both were, just that Gordon and Tucker were not non starters to a trade. I do know that the Rockets discussed a bigger deal (with both?) with the Rockets getting a PF type player in addition to Butler but that never panned out apparently. Tucker is important for the Rockets, but he is in his 30's and while he isn't easy to replace, an argument can be made that Butler + Gordon is better than Tucker + Gordon for the Rockets. I also wonder if this is a pure rental for the Rockets or if Tilman will pay what it takes to bring in Butler..... Is Morey willing to risk the backlash from Tilman if Butler breaks down in a few years if we max him out...... Just a lot of questions to be answered.
I agree with this (all things still being fluid, of course). We have no attachment to Chriss, really, so he'd be head of the list to go elsewhere. "When you get killed in the Nam, it's better to get it in the first week (Platoon)". A third team in the deal = Sacramento's cap space or some team with a decent trade exception. In any case, we have a solid team. We can always improve, but hitting a double rather than a grand slam home run might be all we need at this point. Maybe.
ummmmmmmmmmm Butler has requested a trade and the Timberwolves are trying to make that happen. As one of our targets isn't it LOGICAL that Morey's focus would be on Butler right now?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I mean, I have to spell that out to clarify something?????????????????????????????????? Gimme a break. In an ideal world, we want Winslow. Probably not going to happen. But I'm sure Morey is trying. In a not so ideal world, we want Butler. That's probably not going to happen either. But I'm sure Morey is trying. Why do you want to continue to parse everything down to minutia?
As a side note concerning Chriss. I know his potential and length and athleticism all are exciting. However, his problem is between his ears and the only thing I have ever seen MDA have a real problem with players, has been if they don't know what they are doing or if they are basketball stupid. He made Nate Robinson's life a living hell because Nate didn't know what he was supposed to do or where to be on a basketball court. A guy that is a free lancer in that way can destroy an offense like the Rockets. If Chriss' doesn't roll to the basket like he is supposed to; or doesn't switch defensively when he should...... well he won't be playing. Ask McDaniels how it was to play with MDA.
I'm sad to hear that. Tuck has done so much for us. I don't think Morey/ Tilman should make a rash move. I do like Jimmy Butler, but the Rockets are not in a desperate situation.
PJ Tucker has been available in trade since day 1 when the Wolves and Rockets talked..... and he is still available.
100% believe this. I think offensively he can get by. It is the defense that will be key. Tonight's game vs the Pacers will be a good test. We won't have PJ Tucker back there to help call coverages. We are starting Melo and Chriss at the 4/5? That will tell us a lot. My guess is MDA has more faith in Hartenstein. BUT, the Rockets should feature Chriss right now. If he looks good offensively, that might help him be more attractive to be moved by Oct 31st.
Yikes... Well I suppose there aren’t many better BBall IQ guys to learn from than Chris Paul. This will most likely be his best opportunity. Hopefully Chris and James can get through to him.
A three way does it, right? You trade Knight 1:1 to a 3rd team for a player making $16m+, who you turn around and use to trade for Butler (also 1:1), while doing PJ to Minny for nothing, as a separate deal,,,adding Minny garbage they want to unload...and our fillers and picks to the PJ portion of the trade as needed. You should confirm with bima though, wrt the legality. Can we use a third team for a 1 for 1 Knight trade, for a player who makes enough to match Butler, then technically trade that player 1:1 for Butler, while PJ is separate.
Contradiction. If Butler is the primary target then why are we interested in being a third team if we don't get him? Put it together, Nook. Think. Do you really think the Rockets want to pay Butler a super max deal averaging around $38 million a season for the next four or five seasons after this season as he heads towards the downside of his career in his 30's while committed to $40 million a season for Paul and Harden for the next 3 seasons after this season as Paul ages into his mid/late 30's, while already being in the luxury tax this season already and having to step out of the luxury tax at least twice over the next 4 years after this season to avoid the repeater tax? Do you really think that is going to put us in a position to compete with the Warriors and Celtics long-term here? A couple seasons away we've got to strip down to the big 3 and a bunch of minimum salary guys? Remember we're committed to Capela here now too. That's another 15-18 million per season on top of the 110-120 we'll be paying the Big 3. Virtually assures we're in the luxury tax every season for the next 5 seasons. And minus a couple picks. Think! Butler is NOT our primary target. We'll take him at the right price. And we'll either trade him elsewhere or sign him next season with an eye on trading him and breaking his contract up into other pieces. Frankly, the luxury tax and the repeater luxury tax are one of the primary reasons why Tucker isn't going anywhere this season. He's simply TOO VALUABLE FOR HIS SALARY SLOT on a luxury tax paying team to trade. He's too important. And he makes a low salary in relation to the on-court wins he gives us. There's only one exception to this. That being Tucker gets injured, is out for the season, and we somehow then need his salary to go get a difference-making superstar. Extremely unlikely to happen. Butler is not our primary target. He is a target. But not our primary target. IF we trade for Butler (highly unlikely) it will probably be a temporary arrangement UNLESS by some miracle Butler is willing to extend his deal at a more reasonable rate than 5/190.
Without Tucker, there is no feasible trade that Wolves would consider. It is very unlikely that the 3rd team will offer a top prospect for the trade requirement.
