TOP FREE AGENTS

Color me crazy, but I don't really see any FAs that excite me more than the team we have assembled. If all of our guys are healthy we'll have a solid team w/depth.

I'm a big believer in givig guys time to learn the system and each other. We really filled in our biggest need areas in the draft...lets give them a chance.

 

That list is pretty pathetic

 

Assuming Rice isn't traded, or isn't ready to go (he sounds like he's getting into shape), I wouldn't mind the Rocks picking up Ricky Davis. Tyrone Nesby isn't a bad pick-up either. Of course Christie could be available as well. Other then that, I really don't see anyone the Rockets need from that list.

 

I don't see a FA out there that would improve on what we already have. We have a young team that can grow together. For those that don't like Cato (who by the way did improve) what do you see out there that is better?

 

two words: Jake Voskuh

ming and jake: twin towers the next generation

 

One thing to note: fans of a particular team (in this case, the Houston Rockets) have a tendency to become extremely self-centered when it comes to their team. I'm not ragging on anyone here, but it's just the nature of being a fan.

When people start making suggestions on free agent acquisitions, it may help to take certain other factors into consideration:

1) If a team is treading dangerously close to the luxury tax with impending MAX deals to dole out over the next few years, then that team will probably not want to sign free agents who will command a high salary;

2) If a free agent had a solid-to-spectacular year with his team that season, in all likelihood he will not want to come to another team as a third-stringer;

3) Performing well in this league usually translates into big money come free agency.

Sometimes, we Rockets fans need to stop and consider what we are saying before we throw out a name as a possible free agent acquisition. For instance, Michael Redd (Bucks) and Ricky Davis (Cavs) had coming-out parties last year with their respective teams. As it is, those team are scrambling to pile up money to throw at these players so they don't leave via free agency. To think that the Rockets will be able to offer less money and a seat deep on the bench does not bode well for their chances to sign such a player.

I know we're all excited about the Rockets right now, but let's just try to plant our feet on the ground and deal in reality here.

 

I doubt we'll make an impact in the free agent market.

We have 13 players under contract already. Odds are, we'll sign a PF/C and a SG/SF. Forget about your Olowokandi or Lafrentz, or even Jerome James. I'd be perfectly fine if we signed a Kevin Willis/Scott Williams type, and Bryon Russell or Tyrone Nesby. We're looking for roleplayers that know they are roleplayers. Not breakout players looking for minutes and a payday (see Michael Redd, Jerome James, Bonzi Wells).

More likely, if we make changes, it'll be as beneficiaries from other teams' moves. We're safely under the luxury tax (the numbers I've seen say we're at about 47 mill), 13 players on the roster, and don't have any key free agents to resign. If a team signs Bonzi Wells, they may look to move a guy if they're close to the lux. tax, and they have a logjam there.

 

Jake Voshkul is not FA i think, Phoenix has an option on him.

He is a good backup center, can even start.

 

Centers
1. Raef LaFrentz (Dallas), R - no - too expensive
2. Michael Olowokandi (L.A. Clippers), R - no - starter
3. Rasho Nesterovic (Minnesota), R - no
4. Michael Doleac (Cleveland), R - good backup
5. Jerome James (Seattle) - good backup
6. Scott Williams (Denver) - old
7. Kevin Willis (Houston) - old
8. Jarron Collins (Utah), R - too young
9. Jake Voskuhl (Phoenix) - 12th man
10. Loren Woods (Minnesota), R - maybe

4 and 5 would be good if we were replacing Cato

Power forwards
1. Keon Clark (Toronto), R see centers
2. Donyell Marshall (Utah), R can play the 3
3. Malik Rose (San Antonio) no
4. Pat Garrity (Orlando), R no
5. Othella Harrington (New York), PO no
6. Popeye Jones (Washington) good rebounder
7. Charles Oakley (Chicago) Ming needs a THUG
8. Stanislav Medvedenko (L.A. Lakers) no
9. Walter McCarty (Boston) no
10. Gary Trent (Minnesota) no

1, 2, 6, and 7 look pretty good to me. We'd have to move out a front court player or 2 to have it make sense.

Small forwards
1. Rashard Lewis (Seattle) can we afford it
2. Rodney Rogers (Boston) see above
3. Bryon Russell (Utah) Shandon Anderson, anyone?
4. Devean George (L.A. Lakers) nope
5. Bruce Bowen (San Antonio), PO defensive presence
6. Tyrone Nesby (Washington) good slasher
7. Matt Harpring (Philadelphia), R no
8. Lee Nailon (Charlotte) maybe
9. Jim Jackson (Miami) no
10. Kendall Gill (Miami) old

1, 2, and 6 would be upgrades for us.

Shooting guards
1. Michael Redd (Milwaukee), PO one dimensional
2. Bonzi Wells (Portland), R starter
3. Ricky Davis (Cleveland), R yes
4. Anthony Peeler (Minnesota) old
5. Larry Hughes (Golden State), R no
6. Lavor Postell (New York), R no
7. Voshon Lenard (Denver) see #1
8. Eric Piatkowski (L.A. Clippers) deadeye
9. John Starks (Utah) ooooold
10. Dell Curry (Toronto) ooooold

3 or 8 would make ideal 3rd guards for us

Point guards
1. Mike Bibby (Sacramento), R allstar
2. Travis Best (Chicago) starter IMO
3. Jeff McInnis (L.A. Clippers) see #2
4. Chauncey Billups (Minnesota) yes
5. Troy Hudson (Orlando), R no
6. Chris Childs (Toronto) no
7. Greg Anthony (Milwaukee) yes
8. Eddie House (Miami), R cheap
9. Rod Strickland (Miami) hell no
10. Jacque Vaughn (Atlanta) no

not too concerned with this position

Altogether, not to bad. A lot of these guys are going to be forced to take the MCE and we have one

 

Micheal Doleac
would be a nice pick up

 

imo, the only hole we have now is at backup 2, and that would probably be only spot minutes due to injury / foul trouble.

If Voshon Lenard or Peeler could handle that role for not too much $$$(not the full 4.5 mill), that would be ideal.

Other than that, the only guy that would interests me for the 4.5 mill exception (Rash and Keon will not come for that) is Donyell. He's a decent 3, I don't really think we need him though, esp not long-term.

 

Yes, I would not mind a veteran defensive minded guard like Anthony Peeler if we can get him cheap for a season or two.

 

Ricky Davis can play the 2 or 3. He flourished last year when he filled in for someone who was injured.

 

Yeah, but he's restricted and the Cavs are set on resigning him.

 

I couldn't agree more, although I think if you take into account economics and what our backup 2 is liable to be called upon to do, I think Eric Piatkowski would be a good fit. I would take him floating around the 3-point line for 10 minutes a game over Oscar Torres any day. Vashon Leonard isn't a bad 3-point shooter either but I think he needs more minutes to get it going.
j

 

Trying to be realistic with a dash of wishful thinking...............
Rashard
Keon Clark
Bruce Bowen
Donyell Marshall
Oak
Gary Trent

 

What the Rockets really need is a veteran big man musclehead/enforcer and or a 3 who plays D and does not need the ball to be effective. Someone who will make opposing big men think twice about pushing Ming and or Griffin around in the paint. There are only really a couple of players from this free agent list that fits that description:

Oakley - 6'9 and 245lbs
Averaged 3.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.0apg in 24.3mpg.
Fits the description pefectly, though apparently he's already packed his bags to head to LA and a ring. Worth picking up even if all he does is set Francis and Mobley straight on passing the ball.

Trent - 6'8 and 250lbs
Averaged 7.5ppg, 4.2rpg in 17.8mpg.
Abit undersized but very solid low post banger and a good enforcer. Would likely be willing to play for the exception if not less.

James - 7'1 and 272lbs
Averaged 5ppg, 4rpg and 1.5bpg in
16.9mpg.
Genuine big centre and apparently led NCAA Div 1 with 4.63bpg in 97-98.

Bowen - 6'7 and 200lbs
Averaged 7.0ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5apg, 1.05spg in 28.8mpg.
Probably the best defensive 3 in the league after Garnett. Can play on everything from smalls (Iverson) to bigs (TMac). Can score when required but it isn't really part of his game. Doubtful though that he'd leave a genuine championship contender like the Spurs for a playoff contender like the Rockets.

Ideal pickups would be both Oakley and Bowen for parts of the MLE. More realistic would be either Trent or James for the entire MLE. I'd go with Trent, the Rockets need a enforcer more than they need another centre, unless Cato is somehow traded.

 

Eric Piaktkowski is one dimensional and streaky. Forget about him. I'd rather stick with Oscar "I can play the D" Torres.

 

Gary Trent is nothing but a journey man. Don't want him.
Jerome James was injured most of last year. Don't want him either.

I'd like to pick up Popeye Jones. That guy had several 12+ board games last year while Cherokee Parks and White were out of the lineup.