Valanciunas' team believes that Rockets would select him if he can't reach a buyout

It would be awesome, if we could draft him with the 14th pick and then draft Nikola Vucevic with the 23rd pick, along with Chandler Parson or Jimmy Butler with the 38th. That sure would be one successful draft.

 

I guess the buyout would be more feasible the next year. So the team that gets him, basically would lose him only for the lockout year. In this scenario I see many lottery teams still interested in him.

Anyway, his current team needs desperately the money, I am confident that in the end there is an agreement before the draft.

 

http://www.draftexpress.com/podcast/draftexpress_44.mp3

Givony of Draft Express on Valanciunas:

Rawest of the three (Vesley/Montj/Valancu), also the youngest.

Physically has a long ways to go, but you have to love his frame, three or four years from now he will be a monster, look completely different than he does now. 7'6 wingspan.

Comparisons to Jokim Noah, high effort level.

 

Compared to Joakim Noah?? Interesting.

 

That type of player, but personally I expect him to be even better than Noah.

 

Still don't see him dropping all the way to 14.

 

Bulk of the buyout would be coming from Valanciunas as the Rockets are limited to $500k. By being creative the Rockets can double their buyout contribution. Newley being with the same agency helps. Sign Newley to a guaranteed minimum contract, give Rytas the extra $500k, then waive him.

 

dang who do you think you are with all this awesome knowledge, Bima?

 

That's the kind of creative idea that

Spoiler

Kevin McHale and Glen Taylor came up with to get Joe Smith.

 

What's the use of drafting players who can't contribute immediately? The Rockets don't need anymore overseas "assets" who gotta wait another 2 years to attain.

 

I'd take Jonas at #14 without blinking, even without a buyout.*

The Rockets already have a "rookie" to develop next season in Hasheem Thabeet, plus another in Terrence Williams. Neither has had the benefit of a training camp with the organization. Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson and Chase Budinger are young developing pups as well. Plus, the team could still get two other decent rookies at #23 and #38, or it could package those picks to move up or to get something else.

There's enough youth on this team already. I'll actually be upset if we end up with three selections who all want to come to training camp next season. Better to go with more highly rated talent that won't take up a roster spot. (Also, under current cap rules, Jonas's cap hold next summer will be a little less if he doesn't come over next season. Take that for what it's worth.)

*Assuming the Rockets' front office has him highly rated. I've come to trust this regime's draft judgment almost implicitly. No matter what, I think they'll get at least a decent role player with their first pick. Like Morey said, if they keep all their picks, they'll likely get at least two serviceable players.

 

My God! 7'6" wingspan. Ridiculous...

 

He has genuine upside. He can play on both ends of the floor,and is young. I would be surprised if he fell to the 14th pick. Waiting on him to get better in Europe is worth it,imo.

 

Unless you think we will be a championship team, then you are wrong. There really is no point in having him immediately, other than NBA playing experience. I think in 3 years, if we make the right trades (scola, Miller, Yao, Martin, and yes Hayes) and using these assets to land a nice leading scorer, have a two way solid 2nd and 3rd option as well as a strong defensiveness center we will be right there. We have tons of assets that are all undervalued this year. If we get to the playoffs next season, the value well go up and look to see a hole new rockets the next year. Time to go young. Anyone over the age of 25 needs to get traded asap.

I tend to be jumpy while I type...apologies.

 

Hahaha! That's a pretty decent idea, actually. If Morey wants him badly enough, he might be able to convince Les to spend the money. That's chickenfeed compared to what Les shelled out in the 2009 draft.

James Dolan, is that you???

I bet you would have taken Okafor over Howard in 2004.

Patience is a virtue, my friend.

 

Just to be technically correct, the Rocket's aren't actually limited to a $500K buyout. You are allowed to pay whatever you like for a buyout (no limit) but everything over $500K counts against the cap.

From Coon's Salary Cap FAQ:

Note: It is a common misconception that teams cannot pay more than $500,000 to release a foreign player. They can, but any amount above $500,000 is applied to the team's cap.

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q65

If you sign Newley and pay his buyout then in addition to Valanciunas ' salary you actually spend:

$500K for Newley's buyout +
$500K for Valanciunas buyout +
$500K for Newley's guarenteed money (NBA Minimum is just under $500K. Around $473K)

So you spend $1.5M in real money and $500K counts against the cap.

Now if you just paid $1M towards Valanciunas' buyout you'd spend
$1M for Valanciunas in real money and $500K counts against the cap.

So if you also sign Newley, then you'd end up spending an additional $500K in real money for no actual cap savings.

 

I think people, including myself, are a bit turned off by the idea of stashing a player overseas. Especially since Llull hasn't netted us anything yet.

The draft offers hope of roster improvement, and getting a player that might not play this year is anticlimactic, even if it is the sensible thing to do.

 

more like Valanciunas, Patterson, and 2012 pick coming off the bench

Scola
Martin
FA Center or through a trade
Lowry
Budinger

 

Don't worry about Valanciunas not helping us for a couple of years, remember we have Thabeet.

 

if thats the case i don't think he will slide in the draft. if a team wants him badly enough they can pay what it takes to get him here this year.