This makes no sense if he is not worth the $5 million per year they would save by buying him out. With the luxury tax, they would lose $10 million per year in savings by not buying him out ($20 million total). SF is not worth close to $10 million per year, by any stretch of the imagination, as a probable 3rd string PG for the Knicks.
It's one blog...many sources have said that Francis is getting bought out this summer...It makes sense for both parties...Thomas doesn't need Francis griping at being 3rd string when he could start on some other teams (most eastern conference non-playoff teams)...I think this is going to happen...make it hap'n cap'n -V
Knicks: Francis To Join Adelman In Houston? By Wendell Maxey Jr. for *************** May 24, 2007, 16:32 As of Wednesday, the Houston Rockets have a new head coach. In the coming weeks they could have a new point guard courtesy of the New York Knicks. The Steve Francis to the Rockets rumors appeared dead in the water over the past few weeks with reports surfacing that Isiah Thomas has no intentions of buying out the disgruntled veteran point guard's spendy contract. According to one New York newspaper, Thomas prefers to keep players if there is even the slightest chance that player can produce. Considering Thomas bought out both Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor last season, this argument is pretty hard to buy. And over the last few weeks of the regular season Francis, starting at times for an injured Jamal Crawford and Stephon Marbury, did show he can still score as he averaged 10 points per game for the Knicks this season. So there is some validity to the case. But with Rick Adelman taking over for Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, will Francis be filling it up for the Rockets next season? The 60-year-old Adelman was announced as the new head coach in Houston after the Rockets dismissed Jeff Van Gundy and months ago it was rumored Francis intended on joining the Rockets if and when his remaining $33 million contract was bought out by Thomas and the Knicks. The road block in the killed deal apparently was Van Gundy. Thus the speculation and buyout talks between Francis and Thomas ended. With Van Gundy out of the way, the door is once again open for Francis to join the Houston Rockets. Adelman intends to make Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming more of an offensive threat, instead of cogs in a defensive machine as Van Gundy demanded. In order to get his dynamic duo going though, the Rockets need a point guard who can distribute the ball but isn't afraid to score either. Rafer Alston isn't that type of player. Francis however fits the mold. Francis would fit into the Rockets new offense plans perfectly. Regardless if it was his two trips to the NBA Finals with Portland in the early 1990's, his stint at Golden State, or eight straight playoffs berths in Sacramento, Adelman's teams are essentially known for one thing: running the break. And if there is one attribute Francis loves to showcase, it's running the floor. Adelman's teams always play an up-tempo style.Van Gundy, on the other hand, was prone to grind it out defensive schemes. It's no wonder Van Gundy was skeptical about reacquiring Francis, a player he dealt specifically for this reason. But this is a different Houston Rockets team now, more inclined to play at a speed Francis is familiar with during his five seasons in Houston under Rudy Tomjanovich. Everything is now on the table. Houston will be in the market for a point guard who can push it and isn't afraid to set up superstars T-Mac and Yao. Francis has made it known he desires to return to the Rockets. The Knicks would like to open the backcourt up for Mardy Collins, their surging rookie guard who proved he is ready for major minutes. The only part undetermined is the dollars and cents of the deal. If Isiah Thomas and Steve Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, can reach an agreement on the remainder of Francis' hefty contract, a buyout is in order. Agreeing on a dirt cheap settlement however was the difference from a buyout taking place back in January. But much has changed in the past five months. Yet one thing has remained constant-the Knicks and Francis buyout talks remain a hot topic in New York and a head coaching change in Houston is just the thing to fuel the fire.
Francis isn't an above average PG when he isn't dominating the ball, I don't think he'll be the right fit for an Adelman offense.
Article is full of lots of holes. How would JVG not wanting SF again (which IIRC isn't true), affect whether NY wanted to buy Steve out? Author seems more intent on taking shots at JVG instead of addressing this rumor.
in a ironic twist of fate, this buyout was going to happen before the trade deadline and jvg knixed it...cuz he didnt like francis attitude...yet rafer playing 45 mpg in the playoffs cost jvg his job..HAHA..justice served...jvg is a freaking moron...could have had iverson also...oh,and thabo and marcus williams and millsap...wow jvg gutted this team
becuz the only team francis wanted to play for for less money would be houston...and when jvg called it off, francis decided to be happy in NY..
This article seems like a bunch of BS speculation, and I think the only think that Steve can do better than Rafer is finish and take it stronger to the hole. I also think Rafer is one of the worst PGs in the league, but I don't think Francis is the right guy to replace him. He has to have the ball too much, and I don't see any way that he could be on the floor at the same time as T-mac. Bibby is the guy we need to be concentrating on, Steve's days in Houston are OVER.
If steve was in the draft he would be in the top 5 picks, court vision and IQ for penetration, toughness, finishing, shooting, heart, and chemistry with Yao. This guy put up 22 7 7. If he could give us 15 5 and 5 it would be an incredible upgrade. And we need a leader with desire,something I dont see from Rafer, Mac or Yao....... Who do you plan to draft thats better than Steve Francis....
I dont know I feel about this. I just worry about Francis's attiude problem. He has the potential to really be a problem in the locker room. Plus the Rockets tried to have Francis run the point for four years and it never turned out to well. I remember the "move steve to the 2" debates on sports radio. That being said, for the vet minimum I think you bring him in. High potential low risk.
Well he went just as far as Tmac ever went and took a championship caliber team to six games. The only reason the lakers lost the ship that year was Malones injury in the playoffs. Keep in mind we had Cato and Mo taylor playing heavy minutes. He is not a 2 guard, he scores off the dribble and creates assists off the dribble.He is much less effective from the 2 spot which has been shown these last 2 years.
Attitude Problem? I believe thats starbury your thinking of... The guy will die for his team on the court if hes in a rocket uni next year... I think our marshmellow team could use a bit of attitude anyway...
And Rebouding and defending and going to FT line, putting pressue on other team's PG.... come on, Rafer has done some good but Steve is better than Rafer without a doubt.
That article was a steaming pile of crap. The buyout didn't occur because JVG didn't want Francis back? How would that at all affect the Knicks desires? The buyout didn't occur because Crawford got hurt. Not to mention - all reports were that JVG was attempting to bring Francis back through Orlando two years ago (Aldridge). HAHAHAHAH. Good one. Possibly nothing funnier than the misnomer that Francis thrives in an uptempo, run the floor style. Just because you're wreckless and turnover prone doesn't mean you thrive at running the floor.
Ok guys, since the rumors are unsubstantiated in their source that Jeff Van Gundy Nixed the Deal, I'm gonna post the Hoopsworld article that first broke the story. Here it is: http://www.***************/article_21887.shtml -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxey: Knicks Ready To Buyout Francis? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Wendell Maxey Jr. for *************** May 8, 2007, 00:30 Isiah Thomas wasn't too happy New York didn't make the playoffs this year. That's an understatement in countless ways. But Thomas has to be ecstatic his inaugural season roaming the sidelines for the Knicks is finally behind him. Besides, he's got more than enough drama to occupy his time this summer. And in the next few months Thomas moves from one court to another where the outcome could be equally ugly. While someone saw fit to reward Thomas and his 33 coaching victories with one vote for coach of the year balloting (yes, it's true....one third place vote), Thomas can only hope those in the judicial system are more choosey. A trial date is set for September 10, in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, for a sexual-harassment suit against Thomas filed by former Knicks marketing chief Anucha Browne-Sanders. The trial could last nearly two weeks which means Thomas should be ready for the opening of Knicks training camp October 1st in South Carolina. To keep himself busy awaiting his court date, Thomas, like so many of us, is likely busy sorting out all of the Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal to New York trade talks that have surfaced recently. Jermaine O'Neal has reportedly asked for a trade from the rebuilding Indiana Pacers to the New York Knicks in hopes of reuniting with his mentor and former coach in Indiana, Isiah Thomas. O'Neal is on the block. Thomas is day-dreaming. And Larry Bird is on the fence. Kevin Garnett's name is also circulating in offseason rumors to New York. Some media outlets are calling for Thomas to pursue the "Big Ticket" in a package deal with Minnesota that could include David Lee among other Knicks of Thomas' choosing. There is no word if Larry Bird has called Kevin McHale yet to put the kibosh on that speculated trade. But it makes sense, right? Kevin Garnett a Knick? Jermaine O'Neal in New York? And you thought the rumors about Isiah Thomas dating Tyra Banks were hard to believe. Zeke certainly has his hands full to say the least. But even more than his pending sexual-harassment charges or talk of obtaining one of two perennial All-Stars, there is a crucial offseason facet Thomas must embrace: buying out Steve Francis. If it isn't already, buying out Francis' contract should be priority number one for the New York Knicks this summer and Thomas should sharpen his pencil and cross it off the list fast. Talk of the Thomas-Francis negotiations surfaced back in early January after Francis opted to rehab his right knee tendonitis in Houston with John Lucas. After a month of believed discussions, Thomas and Francis couldn't agree on a buyout for the $33 million owed to Francis over the next two years. Francis returned to the team. Thomas returned to denying multiple talks even took place between Thomas, Francis, and Francis' agent Jeff Fried. According to a source close to the Knicks ( who noted a Francis buyout this summer is a given), Francis chose to workout in Houston so he could be near former Rockets teammate Yao Ming, who was rehabbing from a broken bone in his right knee at the time. It was Francis' inclination to build a possible passage, via the "Great Wall of China", to Houston if a buyout was reached in New York. Once Jeff Van Gundy caught ear of it (not a big proponent of Francis. Van Gundy was vocal about trading Francis to Orlando), all bets were off. Shortly after, Francis returned to New York claiming he wanted to be around his teammates but admitted he was calling it a season. His knee was too sore. Continuing small amounts of rehab was a solution. Playing as little as 10 minutes a night wasn't. That all changed on February 26th against the Miami Heat. After a win over the Heat at the Garden, Jamal Crawford's season ended (playing 33 seconds in the second to last game of the season doesn't count) with a fractured ankle and eventually surgery. Almost over night, Francis was miraculously healed and back in action for the Knicks. Chatter of hanging them up was suddenly replaced by available playing time. The comeback was short lived. Over the next few months, Francis was in and out of Thomas' lineup for one reason or another. If it wasn't his knee then it was a sprained ankle he injured by over dribbling. Francis averaged 11.3 points per game, shot only 40% from the field, and played in only 44 games this season for the Knicks. It was his lowest appearance total in his seven year career. Francis' suspect injuries and bleak production is one thing. Stunting the growth of some young Knicks is something else. In the final weeks of the season rookie guard Mardy Collins impressed Thomas enough to the point where the Knicks head coach admitted he will consider including Collins in his future backcourt plans. This makes both Nate Robinson and Steve Francis expendable. Robinson, who fell out of favor with Thomas this season, will certainly be part of a trade at some point this summer. And rumors resurfaced of Francis' contract buyout well before players cleared out their lockers at the end of the year. Francis' name has been linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angles Clippers most recently in both trade scenarios and in anticipation he'd be picked up on waivers. And in the course of the offseason both team will certainly consider adding the veteran point guard to their offseason wish list. Regardless of Thomas' extensive history in waiving obnoxious contracts (see Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor), you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would vote against adding Francis' bank to the books in New York. Call it a necessary evil. With speculation now a reality and a contract buyout becoming unavoidable for Steve Francis, a hectic summer for Isiah Thomas is one step closer to being drama free . Sorry Jeff...What goes around comes around lol
