Of the Rockets trying to make a push for Rashard Lewis at the end of this year... I have no idea what his contract looks like but I have read that he is unhappy in Seattle and I think he would bring a little bit of everything that the Rockets need... I don't know what we have that Seattle may want but as long as we can keep Alston, McGrady and Yao, we should be in good shape. Maybe we could give up picks, Head, Swift, Howard or basically anything...
I would love to bring Rashard home.. it almost feels like we owe him or something. I would give up anyone outside of Yao / Tmac for him and if Seattle continues to be in the lottery (well were in the lottery too) they may think about blowing that team up and having firesale. Do we have a chance maybe / maybe no? But would love to have him home. J
I have no idea what we could give up to get him, but I'd kill to see it happen. A starting five of Yao, Howard, Lewis, McGrady and Alston would be strong. Lewis would help both with rebounding and outside shooting. He's tall, quick, athletic. Our perimeter defense would be greatly improved. However, Seattle would probably only be interested in trading Lewis if they're looking to blow it all up and rebuild. If that's the case, I'd think they'd be looking for a package of young talent and high draft picks. It seems like there would be other teams who could put together a more appealing package than us. I'm thinking of New York in particular.
We do not have the money. We will probably wait another 5 years until he is at least 32 or 33-when we sign broke down old players....for huge money
You need to either part with Yao or TMac for RL. That's the reality. Seattle probably will also consider throwing Nick Collins and $$ and picks for Yao + baggy contracts.
Nah... Rashard is good, but he's not nearly on the same level as either T-Mac or Yao. It's not even close. Saying we'd *have to* part with one of them is absurd. That said, Rashard would still cost a pretty penny to get. The only way we could get a quality player like that without losing substantial talent would be if Seattle decided to have a major fire sale.
Rashard Lewis or Richard Jefferson would be awesome. Move TMac to the 2. Funny how the players who would help us out are ones we passed up on in the draft(s). Seattle would have to blow it all up and start from scratch and Jersey would have to go for our lottery pick (likely) + Stromile and Luther (we would have to utilize our trade exception). Gonna happen? It'd be nice. We need that third option, and we suck at the 2 guard slot.
I think NJ would part with RJefferson for Stro + fillers (for salary) they have coveted Stro since he was eligible to become a FA. Stro would probably benefit from more minutes and the lack of size in the East. Also having JKidd tossing you alleys all night would be nice too. I would hate to lose him but for RJeff I would think about it. J
Shard is a talented player but I don't think he would fit in here. He's essentially a 6'10" SG that can't play much PF and who you wouldn't want at SF because that moves T-Mac away from where he is most effective. I want guys that will not only score but rebound, play physical and function within their roles playing with other stars. I'm not so sure the Shard would be able to do that here.
I don't think McGrady will ever go back to the SG position, so any big-time wing players we may sign would have to be capable of guarding the quick guards on a regular basis. Guys like Rashard Lewis and Richard Jefferson don't fit that profile. I think Bogans is someone who can be our starting SG next season.
Getting RL without losing Yao or T-Mac would be a dream come true. Two players at 6'9" and 6'10", playing sg and sf, are a big lineup offensively and defensively. Icing on the top is T-Mac or RL throwing entry passes would be a hell lot better than Wesley, Head or Bogans. RL is a sf that can defend, shoot 3s and be a third option. T-Mac can move to the 2 because he's definitely a player who wants to shoot jumpers more than driving to the hoop. With his back condition, I'm OK at him playing that way.
