We were tossing some beers back the other night and the subject came up as it always does..... what could we really get for Kenny Thomas and Walt Williams. Not necessarily together as a package, but realistically what can we get? What are your thoughts?
Probably not much considering KT is the much better player out of the two and he is a free agent next year. Walt is not young and a streaky shooter now at best. We might be able to get a decent/good player at the end of his current contract. I'd be surprised with something more.
If KT really is a free agent next year, that could increase his appeal rather than damage it. He's a solid front court player (which is a commodity in the east) and a playoff team in need of some bulk or frontcourt scoring could trade for him, thus "renting" him until the end of the season. It would have to be a legit contender with some young players and draft picks to throw us in return. The first team that comes to mind is Philly. Say they improve slightly (except for that black hole at the 4 with the intitials DC) and they're a 5-6 seed going into the trading deadline. In that case, KT might look really good to them and they could throw us Sam Dalenbert and a 2nd rounder? Considering our future glut at PF, I pull the trigger on that in a heartbeat, especially considering the impending return of Mo Taylor (puff, puff, give man). Any thoughts or any ideas on more potential suitors in the same situation as Philly?
Kenny is signed through 2003 and becomes a restricted free agent in July before the 2003-2004 season, just like Francis. They are on the same timeline since we exercised both their team option 4th years. Now, don't make me put this in my signature. grrrr
KT and Walt Williams make less than 7M between them, and both their contracts are up this offseason. If anyone thinks/says they're worthless trade bait, then you clearly have a lack of insight on basketball. These teams could possibly be interested: Denver, Boston, Utah(?), Memphis(trade exemption). Walt, KT, Norris for Foyle and Blaylock? I'm sure Moochie can give them better minutes than Mookie, a veteran we can use, whose contract is short (maybe final year). Foyle would be our backup C, with Kevin WIllis playing more at PF this seaosn, since KT is gone. KT would be a legit PF in the East, Walt Williams is instant 3-pt shooting. He hasn't shot bad from 3-pt land his entire career. The, there's 7 million in cap space. What more can anyone ask for?
A contender with a strong post game that needs to bolster their outside shooting, perhaps after an injury might be intrested in Walt, letting him go after the year. KT's greatest asset is his valuation. The price to earnings ratio is through the roof and the low salary, high price tag could help bolster the talent equation to the point that a team might do a Kenny deal. Kenny's value comes from the production at a low price. Walt's comes from the short term commitment that would be made for a veteran with an always needed skill: shooting.
If anyone thinks/says both their contracts are up this offseason, then you clearly have a lack of insight from reading the post preceding yours. Also, if KT was expiring in the offseason, that is reason *not* to trade for him. You do not trade for expiring rookie scales contract like you would expiring high dollar veteran contracts.
What about Kt, Walt, and Langhi for Ben Wallace? Wallace Taylor Griffin Mobley Francis Rudy finally gets the defensive Center he has been searching for. 1-4 will do the scoring and Wallace can do the dirty work.
Except Wallace isn't a center, although he might be a decent stop-gap center. Quibbling point, I suppose, since I want to see Eddie become our primary center in time.
Sorry for the early misinformation about kt's contract being up after this season. Someone informed me last nite at the game that there was a long discussion previously on this site confirming what Crispee just repeated. That's great that he's signed. I would like to keep him because he has shown a lot of ability to score and play with heart. Williams is another story because he is streaky at best and if Torres busts out of his injury/tired stage then a streak shooter like Williams would not be needed as much as his salary should help.
As for Walt: It looks like Rice may very well be out for the season (got it from a reliable source). Therefore, Walt's the starting 3 for now. If the Rockets can start winning consistently, then they'll probably keep Walt in an attempt to make the playoffs. If that fails, they can always let his big salary (~$5.5 mil) slide off the books OR they can re-sign him at a fraction of his previous salary. However, if the Rockets continue to lose games--or even only go .500 over the next month--they should look into trading Walt to either a playoff team in need of a shooter or a team looking to clear cap room. In return, the Rockets should look for either draft picks or a young center. Trading Walt (if they're just playing out the stretch, anyway) would give the Rockets an opportunity to give Langhi more minutes at the 3 to see if they want to bring him back at all next year. As for Kenny: Kenny DOES have one more year left on his deal (the option year already picked up by the Rockets) with a right of first refusal after next year. Given KT's skills and modest salary, he should be an attractive player to many teams. The Rockets have committed to Mo T and Eddie as the PFs of the future. Period. Most fans may love KT (I sure do), but the reality is that the Rockets will likely lose him to free agency if they don't trade him. If they trade KT during the season, the Rockets could start Griffin at the 4 and slide Morris or Walt over from the 3 for stretches, give Langhi a few minutes at the 4, or possibly play Willis at his natural position at times. Right now, the most likely draft scenario for the Rockets (unfortunately) will be similar to two years ago--not good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough to get a top 5 pick. Therefore, the Rockets could possibly use KT + their pick to move up in the draft or to trade for a solid veteran. Something else to remember: Teams love trading for players in the last years of their contracts around draft time, especially for mid-level salary players. Especially after this season, teams will be battling to position themselves for the 2003 crop of free agents. This coming off-season is the best time to have players with one year left on their deals. If the Rockets don't pick up the option on his 4th year, Jason Collier would be such a player. Therefore, Collier could be thrown in with KT and their pick to get a higher paid player in return.
Ottomaton: "A contender with a strong post game that needs to bolster their outside shooting, perhaps after an injury might be intrested in Walt, letting him go after the year. KT's greatest asset is his valuation. The price to earnings ratio is through the roof and the low salary, high price tag could help bolster the talent equation to the point that a team might do a Kenny deal. Kenny's value comes from the production at a low price. Walt's comes from the short term commitment that would be made for a veteran with an always needed skill: shooting." Did you just finish the first day of intro to finance and decide to throw in a few words in a few words from CNBC
KT for Samaki Walker Why? Because KT gives L.A. a significant upgrade at PF and Walker gives the Rockets a 6'10" 260lb body that can avg 10 boards and 2 blocks a game with starters minutes at the 5 spot. For all of Samaki's short commings he is very athletic and avg'd a double double with the Mavs when they had him in the starting line up. He just could not stay out of Don Nelsons dog house. As the man in L.A. he has shown that he can rebound, block shots and has better Offense than Cato.
the Rox are fielding a strong flow of calls for KT...of course, they always get calls, but their has been some volleying back and forth about KT and his value to other teams---Walt is also getting some inquiries. BimaThug hit it on the head...The Rox are committed to Mo Taylor and EG leaving KT out (his own volition)...only because KT wants a starting role. Kenny and Walt are commodities right now. If Walt can shake off these nagging issues and KT continues to fill it up, I can see the Roxs moving both to secure a more reliable, defensive-minded big man (notice I did not say center or PF)...any 6'10' 250 or above type player out there. Walt is very attractive right now to a playoff minded team...
Would Pat Riley do this? Houston trades: Oscar Torres $332,817 to Miami Houston trades: Kenny Thomas $946,920 to Miami Houston trades: Glen Rice $8,800,000 to Miami TOTAL: $10,079,737 Miami trades: Eddie Jones $10,080,000 to Houston TOTAL: $10,080,000 TRADE ACCEPTED
1. I don't think that Riley would take Rice since his salery is so big. 2. I don't think the rest of the league is sold on OT just yet 3. I think Rudy T really wants a proto typical small forward that is around 6'9" tall that can play D and shoot the rock. Eddie J is only about 6'6". I like Eddie but I don't think he is what Rudy is looking for.
