Nene's list including Miami and Dallas makes little sense, really. Miami has nothing outside the big three worth much of anything. Dallas has two centers, Tyson Chandler (who has been the Mavericks' second best player this season) and Brendan Haywood (who just got a $55M contract last summer). If the Rockets really want Nene, they'll probably have to overpay him to keep him here, assuming he opts out of his player option for next season worth about $11M.
Successful Trade Scenario Congratulations on a successful trade. Trade ID #5822517 Houston Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -10.7 ppg, -5.5 rpg, and +0.2 apg. Incoming Players Chauncey Billups 6-3 PG from Colorado 15.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.3 apg in 32.5 minutes Nene Hilario 6-11 C from Brazil (Foreign) 15.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.2 apg in 31.0 minutes Outgoing Players Ming Yao 7-6 C from China (Foreign) 10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 0.8 apg in 18.1 minutes Luis Scola 6-9 PF from Buenos Aires (Argentina) 19.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.3 apg in 33.1 minutes Aaron Brooks 5-11 PG from Oregon 12.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 4.2 apg in 24.1 minutes I don't know if I'd do this. Maybe, if there's another deal to get us a true center.
One team that would be an intriguing potential suitor for Nene is San Antonio, they have the pieces to trade for him and are one legit center away from being the top dog in the whole NBA. As is, they are a legit contender but Duncan is aging and not a center and Blair has been great but not a center...add Nene on that team...WOW. I don't think Nene will opt out, he would be risking to much money in the new CBA. Unless, he thinks the salaries will get scaled back anyway, it makes very little sense for him.
Actually, to me, Miami is an obvious choice. Besides Bron/Wade/Bosh... If every Brazilian in the U.S. were asked where in the States he or she would live, this would probably be #1. Sunshine, Brazilian ex-patriate community, beaches, and a greatly-reduced flying time to visit home. Trust me in this, 7.5 hours from Miami to Sao Paulo/Rio would be niiiiiiiiice. Houston's direct flights are 10 hours-ish. After Miami, I'd guess Nene'd choose the next best things. Teams that don't suck exponentially that are in cities with warm weather.
That and no state income taxes. However neither Dallas nor Miami makes much sense financially. I'd guess the third team on his list is either OKC (great fit), San Antonio (great fit, no state income taxes) or NY (great fit, big market).
if he chose the thunder, wow that would be title contender for sure. It would be devastating in the west to go against westbrook, harden, durant, ibaka, and nene.
I think this could be a great get if its straight up for Scola. We could get a great defensive center while giving Patterson / Hill more playing time at PF (or bring back Landry on the cheap to fill that role). And we would shed valuable salary for 2012 when some big guns are free agents. Unfortunately, I'm sure Denver will not want salary back either, and will probably look for either Yao Ming's insurance covered contract, or other assets from us. I don't know how much Nene can help us this year, maybe sneak into the playoffs as the 8th seed.....I suppose he could help us next year at center, but we will have lost all flexibility to add anyone else as a FA....I would still like Nene on the Rockets, but without adding Melo or sending back salary, it would be a hard $ 11 million to swallow next year....
I think he definitely makes LESS money opting out. If Nene opts out next year, it is to play where he want to play, more than likely for a contender (read - Miami) and, rest assured, it would be for the MLE, which is far less money than his current contract would pay him next season. I'm with you on this. But Morey would only take Okafor in a package including Paul. Is it Feb 25th yet?
Ruben in Monterrey,Mx.: Rumors have the Rockets playing rent a Melo.Why on earth would they even consider giving up assets for few months renting a player that IMO would get them to the 2nd round of the playoffs if that.Why not Nene instead? Bill Ingram: I've heard all kinds of crazy rumors about that, and only one or two have any legitimate truth to them. I've been told that the Rockets are looking into Melo and Nene in the deal, with Yao's expiring contract and Scola going out as pieces - others involved. The Rockets then acquire Landry to replace Scola, making their lineup Nene, Landry, Melo, Martin and Lowry. I've also heard Billups involved, and Martin going to Denver . . .lots of chatter going on right now between Houston, Denver, and prospective third teams. Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=1400#ixzz1ByPcLmyO http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=1400
A package of Nene and Melo would be interesting. Thats what 27 million in salary. We would need 22 million in expirings. We would almost assuredly have to take back Harrington with an exception. Melo Nene for Yao Jeffries Harrington for player exception The question then becomes who do you send back as sweetener.
I posted in another thread this trade, except I don't think we take Harrington unless we're guaranteed an extension from Melo (which is not likely): Melo straight up for Yao (insured contract saves Denver $ 6 mil this year) Jeffries, Hill, Bud, NY pick for Nene (assets of the trade here; saves Denver $8 mil next year) TE or DPE for JR. Smith (saves Denver about $ 2 mil this year for Smith's salary) Denver saves close to $ 20 mil, gets them decent prospects, and a pick. I don't see how we could give them any more assets, or take back any more salary for just a rental.
