Well I don't know about unthinkable.. but I do agree we should try to keep him. Dmo and tjones are our most promising young guys to become great role players.
I love Montiejunas too but if he`s the piece that we need to give to make a big trade that bring us Smith or Aldridge, I would trade him. We had sign Howard for 4 years and we need to win a championship on this 4 years, otherwise it will fell like we had fail! MAYBE Montiejunas or Jones can get better than Smith or Aldridge, and I do think that they had the potentional. But we can`t gamble anymore we have to get the pieces that already had proven that they are good/great players ps: sorry for my poor english, I am a Rockets fan from Brazil
Seriously, how can Asik, D-Mo/Jones + a first round unprotected pick not net us LMA? Or am I just over rating our players?
Maybe just for you, this looks like a good thread to me. I agree I also hope that we don't trade Dmo, I think with his skillset that he will be a good player in the NBA. In just his first year he has shown that he has a good post up game and since he is gaining muscle he will be able to hold his position and be even better. He needs a chance to develop, he is a great passer and I think all of his other skills will get better since this was his first year in the country and playing NBA bb.
With Howard now on board, D-Mo really does have the perfect skill set to play the 4 next to Dwight.... Still there are going to be major questions about how much he's improved his shot making, and strength over this one summer, and how patient the Rockets are going to be in his development over this next year. I'd like to see him get another shot, and Im certainly not looking to trade him at all. The Rockets can afford to develop this guy another season or two. The upside is there, and well worth the 1.5 mil salary cap gamble. The nice thing about keeping D-Mo as well will be his ability to potentially play the 5 backing up Dwight. With the uncertainty that surrounds Asiks long term future with this team, its imperative that they give McHale alot of options at the big spots to NOT run Howard into the ground as much as possible.
I'm a huge fan of DMo and TJones! Maybe add a stretch 4 like Anderson in case they are not ready to man full time, otherwise go with these 2. Now if you can pull a LMA or Love, then all bets are off.
Yeah, I really like DMO and Jones too. They both showed flashes last season that, with time, they could become major contributors and starters in this league. DMo in particular -- I am a believer of his. The fact he is bulking up in the offseason is (I think) a good sign. I hope he is also practicing that corner three shot -- because if he can hold position, rebound and consistently knock down that corner three -- then he is a perfect fit for this team, and could become a star. All that said, I am nervous about relying on those two guys to fill the 4 position for us. This is a championship caliber team now, and we can't afford to be relying on some unproven youngsters to play power forward for us and to potentially be a fatal flaw in an otherwise solid team. So, you have to strike a balance between giving youth a role and having proven players to fill all necessary positions. My hope was that Asik and Howard could play together, thus filling the hole at the 4 -- but Morey said that is not happening. So, at this point I think you have to trade Asik and one of the young PF for a proven 4 and maybe another piece. I would personally move Jones and keep DMo. It is close, but DMo's size and his skill set are a perfect fit for this team - and I like his attitude on and off the court more than Jones's. And, as DMo bulks up, he could even become a great backup 5 behind Howard. Just practice those corner 3'd Donatus.
D-mo at his best he can be a Ryan Anderson type of player. Maybe a little better than him because I love D-mo's post moves. BUT DON'T compare him to Dirk or overrate the guy.
Hopefully he'll look less lost out there on the defensive end. He kept messing up rotations last year.
I think I'd trade Asik and DMo to Charlotte for Cody Zeller if I could get a sign-and-trade done using those salaries for Dwight. (And I like DMO and Asik a lot.) If we were able to put together a S&T using Asik and DMo along with the salaries of TRob and Royce, we would only need to include one of Anderson/Ohlbrecht/Smith. That means we could keep Anderson and one of Smith/Ohlbrecht (I'd keep Ohlbrecht) along with TJones to play big man minutes alongside Dwight and Zeller. This would keep us over the cap with our exceptions and also give us the flexibility to possibly do a deal for a S&T of Josh Smith using Lin and TJones or possibly do a straight trade with Milwaukee using Lin and Ohlbrecht for Ilyasova and Udoh.
It's not really an excuse. 2011 5th pick Jonas Valanciunas also going to play for Lithuania, but he's on Raptors summer league roster. And that's actually Vegas SL, that starts after Orlando one.
Think hes the perfect fit next to Dwight. Hearing about him gaining muscle is a very good sign as well.
The problem isn't that he won't be good, or that people are questioning his skillset. The thing is, we're trying to win now. Ironically, with a really young core, but win now mode, nonetheless. The Heat don't care about young players developing when they're set to win "ALL TEH 'SHIPS!" Donuts may have a great career down the line, but if someone offers Love or LMA or another great PF, and wants Donuts in the package, you do it.
I'd like to see DMo stick around. He's clearly bulked up and has talent. I think his skill set could complement our stars perfectly. Too bad he isn't a better defender.
I definitely want to see Dmo and Jones develop. Hopefully they improve this summer and find a permanent role on the team. I'm worried that neither could get on the court in the OKC series, so although I think both will be good players, the team might not have room for 2 guys that can't get on the floor in the playoffs.
