I was wondering cause M. Jax is out of the question and "Ma$e" is lookin for the dollers, what happens if we can't find anyone to use the Medical on from Taylor?
That exception is free money -- or at least a license to spend money. Unless the Rockets plan on falling under the cap again next offseason (and I don't think it's possible anymore), it would be a waste to not use it. The exception can be used for signings or trades. Signings: The only guys who would need more than the minimum are Mason and Gatling. I get the feeling that we aren't interested in either. Trades: However, other teams are interested in these guys, but are afraid to sign because of luxury tax issues. We can be a savior to those teams by taking on some of their salary to clear space for Mason and Gatling. I think there's lots of potential with this route to just take a player for little in return. They will have to be players inferior to Mason and Gatling, but better suited to our purposes. Teams to target would include: Denver, New York, Miami, Cleveland, Milwaukee. Others?
Why not trade the exception to Milwuakee for Scott Williams? He had a decent post-season, and a pretty good regular season for the amount of time he played. He's making 4.65 million this season, but is a free agent after next. That add another big body for us and allow Milwaukee to get Mason.
Can we just trade the exception? I thought we had to use it to sign someone. We could sign someone with it and then trade them, but that would limit us to the exception and however much cap space we have. Anyone know?
At, you can only sign & trade your own player. And, I'm pretty sure we're completely out of cap space at this point. Scott Williams is an alright idea, I think. Obviously, we can't just do Williams for a 2nd round pick, but we could trade a million dollar earner for him. Collier or Kenny Thomas would fit, but I think that would be a net loss. Seeing that, I'd set my sites on a different team and player.
So nobody has any real insight as to what the Rocks are gonna do? I think they should just stay where they are, give our weak front line the experience, and put them all that much closer to being a good front line. We aren't going to win it all this year, regardless of who we get. Maybe Cato will actually learn how to stay in a game and enjoy being a contributing part of a winning team. As much as I have hated his attitude and contract in the past, I have to admit that he is putting forth some effort this preseason (I know, Cato is Mr. Preseason). It will give Griffin time to learn how to compensate for his lack of bulk...not something he would learn scrimmaging against Thomas. Having one fewer PF would mean that Rudy might slide the Wiz and Rice over to PF sometimes giving Tmo and Lanky a few more minutes.
exactly what I was thinking JV. Unfortunately, the only players that appeal on the aforementioned teams are Scott Williams, and maybe Othella or Kurt Thomas. Maybe one of the Cleveland centers, but I don't think they would be interested. A deal might be able to be brokered, but it would be tricky, and no one is going to do us any favors.
I would take Othella back in a NY minute. I doubt NY would part with him though given Camby's gimpy frame. What about the exception and Walt Williams for someone like an Ervin Johnson?
Jahidi White would be nice, but I would think that his 3 years or so left on the contract would turn the Rockets off, even though he could share time at the center spot with Cato. Gatling is an option, I'm sure the Rockets are looking into him. Didn't Jeff say he thought it was a possibility? I would be shocked if the Rockets didn't inquire about him. He would be a nice addition. Personally I would like it if the Rockets could get two big men, Gatling and an extra one, like Jahidi White or Othella Harrington or something. If Fortson didn't have 5 years left on his contract I'd love to have him on the team.
If we are able to use it in a S&T, remember we still have something that alot of teams would be interested in ----- WALT!!!! With his contract ending, he definately has trade value. With Glen Rice, Terrence Morris, Eddie Griffin, etc....... we need to unload Walt or ?, etc..... for some help in the paint.
What about Outlaw? I don't know if Orlando is interested. I do remember hearing they wanted to dump his salary earlier this summer. His toughness, rebounding, and defence is a need. If we had to give a player Walt's contract is close to his and he will be a free agent soon. I'm not sure if would work but if the Rockets could pull it off it would help this team greatly. What do ya'll think?
Brenda has been injured and could be out for a month. I don't see the Wizards trading Jahidi right now... Gatling is a black hole on offense. He may bring rebounding and toughness to the table, but he always had issues with coaching and not following the game plan... not exactly rudy's kind of guy. Mason is unlikely to accept what we have to offer... and that only leaves a trade that packages one of our players like Walt or Langhi with the exception for another teams that neeed the cap to sign someone... like the Bucks. I hate the waiting game... but i bet we are going to do something with the exception.
On the contrary, I think if we offered Mason a long-term deal starting at $3.25 million, he'd take it. Given the reluctance of Miami and Milwaukee to give him the full exception money, I think he'd love to avoid playing for the minimum. I just don't think the Rockets are interested in having him at any price.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Mason doesn't sound to bad, but he can't really play 5 in the west when we need him. But he is still an effective scorer and rebounder. Someone who I really like is Mamadou N'diaye from Toronto. He's a legit 7' and has some NBA experience. Toronto is over the cap I'm sure so they might do it for a million dollar earner or possibly Damon Jones since there was some talk of them needing a PG. Toronto is in talks with Denver for a possible trade so it could be too late. We should still trade, they might feel sorry for us for the Dream deal.
I have a question, our starting 4 goes down and we get an exception to replace him, why are people saying they don't want Mason and the like because he isn't a 5? I say worry about replacing the 4.
What people are really suggesting is a 4/5 like Gatling. The rationale is that at the 4 Griff and KT lack size (read girth) so a bigger 4 on the bench would be a good thing. Also Cato and Collier have never played an entire season injury free, so a backup 5 is also needed. Now you know
Rocks, Its simple, If you were a betting man, who would you say gets injured first: a. Collier and Cato b. KT and Eddie Exactly. Plus, I think Taylor will be back come Feb-Mar. Just a hunch.
