Depending on how desperate Michael Heisley (the Grizzlies owner) is to save money, this trade is not as unlikely as it may appear. The only issue is that the Griz have no use for Luther. They already have Conley, Lowry, Crittenton and Navarro at the guard positions. It is the expiring contract of Bobby Jackson and the first rounder that would entice the Griz. Perhaps Jackson, Francis, a 1st round pick and cash (to pay Francis's salary) could get it done. Throw in another second rounder if it would make them happy. Miller off the bench would be phenomenal for the Rockets. He is capable of getting about 15 ppg off the bench at the SG/SF positions and would allow Adelman to rest McGrady and Battier more during the regular season. I could also see a small lineup of McGrady/Miller/Battier at the 2/3/4 positions (with Scola at C). Miller makes quite a bit of money (~$8.5M per for 3 more years), but could be the missing piece to the puzzle. The Rockets have the defense to win a championship. Miller would be a nice bit of offense to put them over the top.
I would not consider Francis in any summer trades. Gotta see how he performs first. As it is, other teams would not consider him besides an expiring contract because nobody knows what he can do. All we know for sure is that scked it up the last three years with a knee injury. Now finally he gets surgery. If he's still got it, and can recover to play like he did in Orlando, then thats a no brainer. We got our All-Star pt guard back for peanuts. If he can't play at a high level anymore, then maybe another team would want him for his expiring contract although even that isn't very much money. More likely, we would just keep the guy like Bob Sura until his contract runs out or just waive him.
As far as getting players out of here i think we have a strong foundation and do not need to move either of our PF in scola and landry. We have to get someone that can score off the dribble other than Tmac, whoever it may be and a backup center
I'm on the bandwagon of bringing Mike Miller. Adding him to the squad would bring in clutch 3 point shooting and lower the minutes T-Mac and Battier would have to play. It'd help Yao also thrive with defenders worrying to help on D guarding Yao when you have a three point threat like Mike Miller in the game. From the past few seasons, it is WISE we get a back up center in case another freak accident of Yao getting injured again. Also though I wasn't up for the idea before, I have LOVED the way Rafer has played. I'm okay with keeping him as the starting PG. Another backup would be nice. When Rafer doesn't play our offense looks lost. So a TRUE PG that can play Adelman's offense would be good. Don't know if Brooks will be mature enough or if Franchise will be healthy enough or smart enough to play that PG we need. P.S. I don't want to see Luther Head with us next year! Period the end
how would you guys feel about brad miller or marcus camby next season? I'm not sure what it would take but I think both players are movable and it turns out camby pay drops over the next two years so he doesn't make as much as everyone would think. I wwould love to land either one. Miller knows our system anc Camby is a younger Mutombo with some offense.
Camby would be good, but would he have the attitude and the patience to wait on the bench for about 28 mins, while Yao does his business? And no to Brad. He is getting older, doesn't really have that much defense, and is a bit undersized to be playing C. I would rather Scola be in that position.
S Battier + A brooks for R Artest B Jackson + L Head + filler for C Maggette MLE for Landry and a backup C
I'm ok with standing pat. Add someone through the draft and let our expirings go if we have any except Deke if we can convince to stay one more season. I think this Rockets coaching staff can do a lot through player development through the summer. Novak and Head can improve their games. We can develop our young talent so we aren't screwed by overpaying the free agents. Although I really wouldn't mind having Artest with us.
we need a back-up on our most PROMINENT players. 1. Tracy McGrady - we can't push him to play full 45 minutes every single game. we need to get him rest when he needs it so he can run and drive. we need a strong Guard who can drive while TMac gets rest. 2. Yao Ming - he is the biggest man on the team. big = getting tired faster. just like TMac, Yao loses his agility fast (if not faster). i see that he is trying his best to hold on and fight it, but that's NOT what he needs to do. he needs to take things confidently on the offensive side, shaking off opponents (because he has the size to do so) like Hakeem. and when he can't run down the court (which he needs to work on), get the coach to sub-out. we can't live on Deke alone for the center back-up. we need a REAL back-up center. no, Scola can't play Center. 3. Scola/Landry - they are young, but good. we need back-ups for them as well, though. i think we have a really good chance of having Harris and Hayes fit into this roll, but they need to work harder during the minutes they're playing and be more confident. 4. Bobby/Francis - this will not do. none of them are consistent. we need consistency when it comes to being PGs. Rafer is good, but it's clear that he can't play the entire time either. maybe work on Novak for his defense and count on his shooting. also work on Brooks for a smooth transitions. when it comes down to it, i want a strong Forward whose shooting is good from the long-range, but i also want a back-up center for Yao in case he misses games. we need something like an Amare Stoudemire. he can't play defense worth ****, but he can drive and get the ball through the net. we also need something like Steve Novak with Rafer's stealing/defense abilities. i don't know who would fit, but two players in trades for Francis, Head, Woods, and Bobby should bring in substantial positive change... unless we make another dumb roster move.
If we need a versatile forward who is probably cheaper than Artest, how do you guys feel about Shawn Marion? 1. He is freakin' versatile! He can be out there while Mac is getting a rest, Scola is getting a rest, or Battier is getting a rest! 2. He has less attitude problems than Artest 3. He is a rebounding beast! He can spread the floor, whether it be driving to the rim, or shooting the 3! I can't really think of anything negative about this guy, currently. The "injury" he "suffered" in Miami was probably due to the tanking job done by the scrubs. Battier can be used as bait, along with our 25th pick, to move up in the draft, perhaps netting us a GOOD backup C for Yao. Alston Mac Marion Scola Yao/(pick above 25th) This lineup, to me, would wreck other teams! Marion would be scary good in Adelman's system, I think.
Clips won't do that. Head is worth crap, and Clips know it! A lot of people on this board insists that we will get a borderline all-star player for BJax and Head. This is stupid logic! Unless you have the mindset of the Griz GM, you won't even consider Bjax+Head for a borderline allstar.
LOL Luther is crap, on the Laker's board they said they want Head + Bjax or battier for Lamar Odom, sounds good right? I don't know about the battier part
Odom is pretty versatile. Battier on the Lakers...man, Kobe would love that! One less pesky defender to worry about in the conference.
I see the Rockets needs in two parts. The easier of the two should be a reserve who mostly plays the two and is effective offensively. I'd like a shooter, but it might be that the best thing for the Rockets would be someone a little less skilled as a shooter who was more inclined to slash to the basket. The second major need is that 6'10" plus guy who can rebound and clog the lane, hopefully a youngster. Someone who could make his min. as Yao's backup and with some development eventually play along side him. Decent bigs are always difficult to get unless they have some baggage or are Stromile Swift like r****ded, but the Rockets are armed with alot more this offseason then usual. I believe Chicago has alot of what we need and they need to dump salary, but I'm fairly confident that Morey will find what we need and not give too much up or hurt us in the longterm. One thing about any major shake ups, listening to Morey talking about change and risk I would be really shocked if even one starter didn't return next season.
they might return but not as a starter primarily Rafer Alston. I think he would be an awesome backup to be honest
