Certainly a possibility especially since they shipped Hunter off to the Hornets for practically nothing last season (TE + cash I believe). He failed the physical and was sent back. I'm just not sure he is a guy JVG would like. Hasn't his effort been questioned in the past? I also wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Dale Davis for Sura's contract or the TE. He is on an expiring deal and, even at his age, still brings it defensively, blocks shots at a very efficient rate and rebounds well.
Morey's talking up Bonzi, but he's one of our best (and only) trading commodities, and he's a one-year rental anyway. So if he can be included for a Player That Does Not Suck, bye-bye. Steven Hunter for the TE and a bag of jalapeno potato chips is a good idea. Darko Milicic: I wish. He'd be good for that 4/5 spot. But JVG would tell him: "I know you were probably Tim Duncan back in Serbia-Monte Carlo, but here, you're just Darko Milibust. And what is this? Where's my jelly-filled donut? You make 5 million a year and you bring CAKE donuts? Are you kidding me? And this one: BAVARIAN cream? Isn't that, like, from Europe or something? What makes you think I like ANYTHING European? See that chair over there? I think it was made from plastic imported from Bulgaria, why don't you sit on that for your next DNP."
I'm sure that anyone besides Yao, TMac, Battier and Deke could be potential trade material, depending on how good the trade is and how it would meet a need. If they believe someone we get would meet a need better than who we have, we could trade them. Obviously, our TE and Sura's retirement are key pieces, and probably the focus. As much as we all would like an upgrade of Rafer, it sounds like they are looking for frontcourt depth, and for this year, they feel comfortable with Rafer running the point, protecting the ball, distributing, hitting the 3 point shot, and even cutting to the basket, as long as Deke is there to clean up. I'd love to see us pick up Chris Duhon to play point, whether that means trading Howard or Head, who are local heros in Chicago. I like Howard and Head the way they are playing this year, but once Yao is back, neither is able to be used to their maximum abilities in our offense. Someone like Duhon would be perfect, who has a high BB IQ, and would fit the chemistry here. Of course, if we could pick up Kidd, that would be incredible, and we could trade them a package of Howard, Head, Rafer, and Sura, throw in a draft choice next year (not this summer's) and some cash, but I have to believe someone could give them a much better package. Although, if I was CD, I'd put out the offer, in case they are desperate, and wanting to avoid the divorce at all costs, and with Jefferson out and Carter probably moving on, might want to start over with a new cast. Kidd would make us an instant contender for the next few years, even though he's been injured and is getting old. The dude is just very smart, and could play well, even gimpy. In the front court, I expect us to do something small, using our TE and/or Sura's retirement contract. So, someone who needs cap room, or wants to shave salary, like a Melvin Ely. I believe Magliore from Portland could be had, perhaps for a package of Rafer and Sura, which would only work if we got someone to replace Rafer. According to the media, Nazr Mohammed could be had for Bonzi, but Nazr wants to start, and I get the sense we believe Bonzi will be of more value to us in the playoffs. We could always sign Cato for a little depth and toughness. Jeff Foster just got replaced by Troy Murphy, so we might be able to get him from Indiana. Theo Ratliff could probably be obtained from Boston, Joe Smith from Phily, Jerome James from NY, although I'd rather get David Lee. There's always a possibility of Donyell Marshall, Scott Pollard, McDeyss, Dale Davis, Ike Diogu, Othella Harrington, Wayne Simien, Bo Outlaw, Brendan Haywood, Darius Songaila, Calvin Booth, Reggie Evans, Danny Fortson, Patrick OBryant, Tim Thomas, Kenny Thomas ... no one to exactly write home about, but maybe someone would fit JVG and Morey's formula for who fits the team better than one of our existing players someone wants.
Well, this one would work cap-wise: Houston Trade Breakdown Outgoing Juwan Howard 6-9 PF from Michigan 9.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 apg in 26.4 minutes Bob Sura 6-5 from Florida State No games yet played in 2006/07 Scott Padgett 6-9 PF from Kentucky 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.3 apg in 8.8 minutes Incoming P.J. Brown 6-11 PF from Louisiana Tech 4.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.4 apg in 17.0 minutes Chris Duhon 6-1 PG from Duke 6.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.4 apg in 25.5 minutes Change in team outlook: 0.0 ppg, -1.6 rpg, and +3.1 apg. Chicago Trade Breakdown Outgoing P.J. Brown 6-11 PF from Louisiana Tech 4.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.4 apg in 17.0 minutes Chris Duhon 6-1 PG from Duke 6.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.4 apg in 25.5 minutes Incoming Juwan Howard 6-9 PF from Michigan 9.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 apg in 26.4 minutes Bob Sura 6-5 from Florida State No games yet played in 2006/07 Scott Padgett 6-9 PF from Kentucky 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.3 apg in 8.8 minutes Change in team outlook: 0.0 ppg, +1.6 rpg, and -3.1 apg. Successful Scenario Due to Houston and Chicago being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Chicago had to be no more than 125% 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. ---------- However, Duhon's production per minute is not exactly huge this year, from a statistical standpoint. I'll admit I never really watched the guy play, so can't say much, the numbers are not striking, though.
This goes against conventional wisdom, but I think Head could be traded. IMO, the order of likelihood to be traded are: 1 The trade exception 2 Luther 3 Snyder Sura's contract would be #4 but I don't think anybody wants it. Same thing for JL3, Padgett, etc. We must pick up another rotation PG and a combo 4/5 big man.
i disagree. i think the fact that Bonzi is seeing playing time is to up his value before the trading deadline so that he's more attractive to teams. in case you've forgotten, the Rockets traded Mike James away b/c they were anticipating that he'd be chasing money as soon as his contract was over. so instead of taking a chance, they traded for a 5-year-guaranteed (pass-first) PG in rafer. Bonzi is a huge trading chip - but only when he's back to his old self. the Rockets aren't stupid. if you're deluded enough to believe that Bonzi is not gonna opt out of his contract after this season, then i don't know what to tell you. it's likely that we will get rid of Sura - but Sura's value is little, considering the fact that he's not even an expiring contract. he still has next year guaranteed. the Rockets will probably let Bonzi up his value, and then package him with Sura to get someone like: Earl Watson, Antonio Daniels, Kelvin Cato, Gadzuric, Melvin Ely, Mike James (WHO?), or even Marquis Daniels. I doubt we can dupe West into giving us Chucky Atkins for Bonzi (who's gonna bolt) and Sura (dead weight). Plus, I dunno what would happen if we had both Chucky and Chuck Hayes on the same time. Maybe chaos, maybe anarchy. I dunno.
duhon would be a nice player but howard for duhon? and people complain of rafers shooting...what would they do with duhon and rafer on the same time. as for luther, i disagree...once yao gets back luther will be even more important b/c of his shooting.
I really, really, really hope that they don't trade Bonzi. He could be HUGE in the playoffs. If healthy, he could be our second best post up player. Of course he probably won't be in the game at the same time as Yao unless they're playing small ball to match up.
? Are you suggesting another team other than the Rockets can claim Sura's disabled player exception...across a trade? hmmm. I don't know, but that doesn't sound right to me.
isn't sura an expiring contract? rockets have an option for next season while the salary is only partially guaranteed that could be fixed with cash considerations in a trade? i think head is too valuable to give up. imo rocks need to add more 3p shooting not rely even more on rafer.
I disagree, I really doubt Head will be traded. He is probably far more valuable to the Rockets than he would be to another team. I am not a fan of Snyder being traded either. Insurance if Bonzi gets injured, flakes out, or opts out not to return next year, all possible. The only reason I see either going is for acquring relative major player/starter--someone like Ridnour. I look for the TE or possibly Sura to be involved. One of JL3, Novak or VSpan could be thrown in if need be. I still think guys like Chucky Atkins, D Stoud, A Johnson, Boykins, Deiner likely as back-ups or possibly Ridnour (though he would cost more) or Dre Miller as a starter. Basically a true PG who is a veteran, brings more offensive punch and can hit the 3 (all but Dre can, but Dre does too many other things well to overlook if a reasonable deal was possible). If the guy is a bricklayer and can't hit the 3, he isn't going to help us much. Thus Duhon and Watson don't interest me much (maybe Duhon for the TE and nothing more, but I like a lot of other players better). I don't think we need frontcourt help. We are doing OK with Yao. When Yao comes back we have a flexible and deep frontcourt. Upgrading our PG spot is far more critical, even if it just a much better back-up to Rafer.
I was just kidding because of the TMac angle. I was going to say for Garnett but thought it would be dumber if it was for the "Euro Garnett".
How about........ Sura and Padgett and our second rounder for Hunter and Alan Henderson? Why? For them, they get to remove Hunter's salary from the books. Salary cap deal. Henderson and Padgett is just an exchange of expirings. For us, we get to use the TE to acquire both Hunter and Henderson. Then we send out Sura and Padgett and acquire a new trade exception of $4.8 million that is good for another year. We can then cut Henderson, especially if a someone like Steve Francis is bought out and becomes available.
I don't think the trade we are doing will be a huge one. In other words, don't look for a big trade going down. I doubt the Rockets want to screw up their chemistry by shipping off their own multiple guys for new players. Most likely it'll be a trade with Sura's contract and/or the TE.
Definitely. But there are a couple of needs that should be addressed if they're serious about contending for a title this season. An addition like Chucky Atkins sounds reasonable given the circumstances. This isn't dreamcasting, it's a rational assessment of what we can afford in relation to what we need without forgetting how much room we have on the court.
