I like Sherlock's thinking. Vancouver won't have a new arena in Memphis until 2003 or so. I'm sure the "Memphis Express" would like to dump $$$ and re-fashion the team. Shandon wants his nice contract and also wants to play for a contender. Can he have both? Or will he have to say no to the latter wish? And Vancouver already has a solid shooting guard in Michael Dickerson. Charlotte (not far from Shandon's hometown of Atlanta) could use Shandon in the worst way; Wesley is fading as a shooting guard. If we can find a decent team needing an experienced shooting guard at a first-year salary of about 4.6 million, then it would be nice to get something of value for Shandon Anderson. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 22, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 22, 2001).]
I agree with Sherlock about trading down for cap. CD said something in the Chronicle the other day about how important cap is now, compared to draft picks. However, like NIKE, I almost choked when Sherlock brought up SAR as a scenario. We got lucky with the Francis trade. I know he's disgruntled, but Vancouver's not trying to get rid of him. Same with Brand. He might not be untouchable, but that doesn't mean Krause is looking to trade him, and certainly not for any kind of low-ball deal as others have thrown out. Something more realistic in my opinion is Big Country/pick for Rockets picks, Kenny T, maybe Cato. I don't know who we'd have to give up on our side. But you guys need to get real if you think you can move in the lottery without giving up a couple players you don't want to. Cato might have more trade value than we think, but that doesn't mean he can be the centerpiece of a deal that lands us a top lotto pick or a franchise player. ------------------
You speak the truth, Relativist. Speaking for myself, the off-season is a looooooong time, so you'll see these trade scenarios. I know. I'm as guilty as anyone. In truth, something can be done with what we have: picks; capspace; a couple of decent role players. But no Big Country, please. Probably that was just a "for instance" scenario, but it still made my stomach spoil. ------------------
I have seen scenarios where the Nuggets have NO 1st round picks. And their second round pick is from Toronto and might be conveyed in '02. I say offer them #13 and Cato (and filler) for LaFrentz. ------------------ GATER
This draft looks like a deep one. No superstars from first sight, Battier is real good, but he's no Steve Francis. If chicago is truely interested in SA, perhaps we can do a sign and trade deal with them? That's of course if he decides to stay with us this year and not opt out. That way, we could even consider packaging Cato along with SA and draft picks to Chicago for their picks and Brand !!! Ain't that cool !! oops.. I'll keep my excitment down and everyone like Brand. This is a strong possibility. Also, apart from the #13 and #22, if orlando gives us their pick this year, we could draft another steller role player. I believe that Troy Murphy should be available still. ------------------ Do not harm little children!
Last year we basically traded a #9 pick for a #15 and #23 (the following year). So you figure we probably could get something like a #7 for this years #13 and #23. To get sub-five, Cato or Shandon or Kenny plus our two picks might be feasible. Of course I didn't like last year's move and think we should have been able to get more than a #15 + a late 1st rounder (you had to know Milw was among the elite in the east, I did) for #9, but we did that trade. The good news is this years' draft looks deeper in quality players/prospects, so a #13 and #23 isn't a bad package, especially with another quality sub/low grade starter quality player I mentioned above.
With the depth of this year's draft, isn't the lustre gone from trading UP unless you get into the top 3-5? We are preparing to replace (within a year) Hakeem, Rogers, Bull, and Walt. Likewise, we are not certain of the Rocket futures of Shandon, Mo, Moochie, and maybe Cato with our team. Other than Webber there don't seem to be any FAs that are considering us. I think Minnesota is over a barrell. Maybe we can pry Garnett away and Brand may be gettable from the Bulls. I'm not so eager to give up any of our multiple picks unless we can accomplish it by losing the above-mentioned current Rockets and I don't see that happening really. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils. PowerbizOnline.com
Now you guys are ALMOST on the right track. However, you have to remember the salary problems that go along with first round draft picks. This is a MAJOR reason the Rockets would prefer 1 HIGH ROUND draft pick as opposed to 2 or 3 1 round picks. People who would love more 1st rounders and can afford them are Atlanta and Chicago. Maybe Washington, but not if they're gonna hafta pay MJ, so they're in the maybe pile. Basically, we'll just wait until the ping pong balls fall before we do anything like this. ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
