Summer 2006?

"...Francis in 2009..."

That use to sound so far away. I thought I would be trying to figure out what flying car I should buy that year. Now I need to think about the free agents?

 

I've figured all along that's why they traded for Clarence Weatherspoon considering he has yet to log a single minute of playing time for the Rockets, even in blowouts.

They're basically doing what the Spurs did heading into last summer. Clearing up a ton of cap room so they can make a run at the top free agents in 2006. Who wouldn't wanna play with Yao Ming and Steve Francis in a place that has no state income tax?

In the meantime, the Rockets are sticking with what they've got(not like they have much of a choice anyhow) and trying to maximize the potential of this bunch. Will they win a title in the next 2 1/2 seasons with this roster? Probably not, but then again, they're not expected to anyway.

 

Yao isnt going anywhere.

 

Actually, he played 6 minutes against the Pistons in Detroit.

 

So many different things can happen between now and the summer of 2006. Who knows which FA players will suddenly develop into an explosive player (like Arenas last year). But, it is fun to think about.

Here's a link of free agents at that time:

http://www.realgm.com/src_freeagents.php?year=2006

I can't imagine Ben Wallace or Richard Jefferson leaving their teams. Zach Randolph would be interesting and maybe Sam Cassell will come back for less money. Otherwise, the Rockets should first sign Yao to the max and do their best to sign Mobley.

 

i figure that all of that space will go to keeping yao and cat though. but there are some ineresting players available in that summer:

ben wallace
troy murphy
AK
al harington
shane battier

 

You left out Shaq O'Neal. He should be thrilled to sign for the veteran minimum to be Yao's backup.

 

Should we try and resign Mobley or Cato?
I think the Rockets should sign Kirelinko and Sam Cassell letting Cato and Mobley go. Resign Jackson to one year contract.
Roster:
Yao
Kirelinko
Jackson
Francis
Cassell
That is a SCARY lineup.

 

i'm looking for next year's free agents. U know, Mcdyss has a house in Houston, and Wallace and Cat are best buds......how about a discount like the one Pettite took?

 

47 aint gonna switch teams. He's got the Euro mentality which seems to be geared more towards loyalty, shutting up and playing.

So do we still like Battier? Seems like he's not getting any pub, muchless playing time. If he learns how to shoot 3's, I can see him as part of a championship team ala Rick Fox, Elie, etc.

Where have all the great sf's gone and what is their role in todays game? Seems like the leagues loaded with combo tall skinny shotblocker projects.

 

Haha. I think even Antonio Mcdyess knows that Antonio Mcdyess' career is over.

I don't even like him as a cheap backup now even though I loved the guy in 98. We need a team that looks good on the court, not just on paper.

 

u never know. look at what Camby, and to a smaller impact, what Penny is doing this year.

 

I'd love for you to be right. Dyess at 80% of his former self would be an awesome piece to the team but I dont even think he's capable of 50. But then again, I'm no Keith Jones!