Absolutely. I believe that the Clippers and Celtics would be open to doing S&T deals with the Rockets. I have my doubts about division rival Grizzlies and West. If the Clippers feel they will lose Simmons they might want to get a shooter in return and clearly a one year rental in Wesley makes sense. This would be similar to what they did with Kerry Kittles last year. Also the Clippers might lose Jaric in FA and might be in the market for a backup PG to Livingston and could be interested in Mike James or Sura as other options. So I could see the Clippers working with us here to get something in return for Simmons. If the Rockets could get someone like Simmons in a S&T deal then that would be optimum as they would have their MLE to go after other PFs.
The case for Bobby Simmons seems pretty strong. One reason I like him much better than Swift is because he actually had a good year last year and we wouldn't be expecting him to become what he never has been. He is an effort player who works hard and that fits in with JVG's demands. I prefer T-Mac at SF on defense but he and Simmons could rotate based on the matchups. He is a great fit for us on offense, bringing a solid mid-range and 3 pt shot, which is what we need. When played tight, he can also go around people. Unlike Swift, he has demonstrated over a full season several skills (plus a strong work ethic) that fit our team. Like T-Mac, I think he is the type of player that will step up his defense under JVG. I would be delighted to get Bobby Simmons for the MLE. Considering what we have to offer, he would be an A+ acquisition worth celebrating. My only real reservation is that he is a Clipper, and it seems many ex-Clippers have flamed out once they leave.
I don't agree with all this assessment, I think Mobley over Simmons probably makes the Rockets a better team next year. However Simmons age is right in between Tmac and Yao, Cat is 5 years older. The trump card is when Yao and Tmac are peaking Simmons should be too, while Cat should be on his down hill slide.
That's my feeling as well in terms of Simmons/Swift and why I have switched my perference of wanting to get Simmons more than Swift at this point.
The knock on Simmons is his speed. He's not a good defender and would be a defensive liability. He's pretty much a younger version of Jim Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I like him, but I wouldn't spend my whole MLE on him. Now if you want to trade our present defensive liability in for him, I'm all for it. This team took some big risks on signing Mo Taylor and Cato to fat contracts and they never paid off. We should have learned our lesson by now. I like Swift but he's still an enigma, and if we sign him we should put in a team option after 2 years so we don't get weighed down with worthless contracts if he turns into a bust or we draft a better player next year. We should simply go after proven commodities in Marshall, SAR, or Horry where you know what your getting.
I'm not worried about Simmons defense. He may be slow but his defensive PER numbers from the last two years are good 14.9 & 14.5 at SF. What I am more afraid of is his shooting. He shot 39% and 16% from 3 in 03/04. He really didn't even shoot 3pts in 03/04. God forbid, what if his shooting reverts back? I think he will go to the highest bidder. He is young and never had a decent contract. We will need to Sign & Trade. LA Clippers should be open to this if we out bid Donald Sterling - Not that hard I guess. Sterling always likes expiring contracts and picks. Wesley will do + a pick.
I think people are missing the point. If Simmons is signed, then you keep Howard at the 4 and try to get someone like Marshall to platoon. If you get SAR then you dont get simmons because of shots. Who is the sg for the Spurs? Manu or Bowen? Thats right because the 2/3 is a swing position for the most part. I dont' want to hear all this bs about McGrady cant guard 2's. Before he got to the Rox, who was he guarding? When Stack came into the game and started posting up Wesley, who slid over and shut him down? When McGrady wants to, he can guard the 1,2,3 and sometimes the 4 if he wants to. I would love to have a Earl Watson,Simmons,McGrady,Howard,Ming starting lineup with Marshall,James,Barry,Deke and ? coming off the bench.
I like BS. I think he could become this team's Mario Elle. He's a positive attitude and hustle guy, who's worked each year to improve. He's versatile enough to play 2/3 in either a starter or 6th man role. I say get him. He improves are depth, youth and versatility.
"I think people are missing the point. If Simmons is signed, then you keep Howard at the 4 and try to get someone like Marshall to platoon. If you get SAR then you dont get simmons because of shots" Exactly. If Simmons is aquired, then cross SAR or Antoine Walker off the list, and Swift and Marshall become possiblities. If SAR or Walker are signed, then the rockets will have to aquire another swingplayer who won't demand the ball as much.
If Simmons is slow, can't play Defense well, and only performed well in the final year of his contract, then it doesn't sound like a good Fit. If JVG thinks Cat is a good fit then that would be a much better choice. Great defender, Great 3 point shooter, and plays an up-tempo game. I just don't think Cattino will settle for the MLE.
My 2 cents on Bobby, he had one solid year on his contact year for the Clippers, sounds awfully like Motay... No thanx I'd rather spend my MLE on Walker, who played inside this year and can handle some ball handling duties, a BOLD move, well here is one. Of course I'd rather have Swift but I think the Swifts, Curry, Dalemberts of the league are gonna get big contracts this year comparable to that stiff in Utah got last year. Not Boozer, the Turkish 7"0 perimeter stiff
I disagree on Bobby. He is nothing like Mo Taylor. Taylor was soft. Simmons is tough and has a great work ethic. He has built himself up from a vagabond undrafted player to a quality role player. He has Jordan's endorsement and we all know how hard Jordan works players. I think we are safe on Simmons. To me Simmons isnt the kind of guy to just "shut down" after he gets the money. He is a competitor and that's something JVG wants.
This in combo with an S&T for SAR and we would be in great shape. sorry for the seperate posts.....hit reply too quickly
Radmanovic is a RFA. the Sonics will match our offer. We can't get him unless we trade for him and our assets don't seem good enough to make a deal.
Not sure about how good a fit Simmons is, sure against Dallas and the Suns he would be nice when TMac is playing Dirk and Marion at the 3, but as a full time 2, is he quick enough, my guess is JVG will say his is not, with the way JVG plays defense with the guards sagging in alot and then forced to be able to have great close out speed (ie as Barry and Wes have been able to) i am worried about his defense.... on offense he would be fine and not worried about the contract year inflated numbers, this guy has a great work ethic and improves every year...... so maybe for the MLE, for 5 years, but i would want some sort of trade in place to get a rebounder... as for Mobes he may well be a better fit, his D certainly would as would his speed and his 3s... wonder where people get off thinking he wouldn't be happy playing behind Yao and TMac, you have to be joking.... the guy loves playing ball and winning.. he would do whatever it takes, as for the money he opted out to get security, MLE but 5-6 years...
I also question Simmons' defense and ability to play at SG. He played nearly all of his minutes at SF last year, with Maggette swinging from the 2 and the 3, and I haven't seen anything to suggest that he was a particularely good defender. Going strictly by the numbers, he had a high eFG% against, his DRtg was fairly average, and the Clippers weren't any better defensively when he was on the court. While I haven't watched enough Clippers games to fully analyze his game, the few times I have seen him play I wasn't overly impressed. Simmons is a good, young player, but if it's possible, I'd also rather have Mobley.
As much as I want Simmons, I admit that I too wonder about Simmons' quickness in guarding some of the quicker 2s. But I think Simmons and Tmac can take turns guarding those players depending on the situation. The team will adjust. Clearly JVG wants the team to get quicker, and if he felt that Simmons wouldnt provide that then he wouldnt have already reached out to him in Free Agency. Clearly the Rockets feel the addition of Simmons would be a huge positive. With that said, I still feel Simmons would be a great addition to this team. And I like the idea of a S&T for Simmons. The Clippers could be interested in either Wesley or Mike James depending on what happens with their pursuit of a SG and what happens to Jaric.
