Why on earth would you trade a potential franchise player just to get under the LT?? Not to mention none of those contracts are franchise killing at all, one could argue scola and Martin are actually bargins at that price.
Good post overall, but just a reminder: The Rockets only have one pick this year... their own OR New York's, depending on where they align. They do have the Clippers second round pick, which could/should be very high for a second rounder.
I get the feeling Lowry would be hard to move. I'd rather keep him at his premium price and try to get a superstar with one of the top 5 picks of the draft. Damn... I'd rather we were just really good, and I didn't have to think of stuff like this 17 games in.
When they traded for Battier, they did so under the (admittedly risky) assumption that Yao/T-Mac was the core for many years and were ready to win now. The Rockets don't have that at present and they know they need star players. They've tried to move up high in the draft the past two years for that reason.
Thanks for the clarification Clutch, I remeber Bima posting that they have the rights to a late first round pick or 2nd round pick, but not sure on the restrictions.
I get what your saying but the issue I'd have with moving the pick strictly for financial reasons would be that you'd be trading away the chance at a franchise player simply to save a few million and Martin/Scola's contracts are actually attractive to teams, I doubt you'd have much of a problem moving either one. Unless your getting Rubio or Cousins back in such a move, that MIGHT set you back years in the process. I do like the idea behind the 2012 draft, you might be able to package the picks and another player to move way up but that is way to far into the future to know for sure.
I think Miller would be the easiest to move. His contract is managable and he is playing well. I think he would fit pretty well on most of the contending teams right now. Scola on the other hand seems pretty hard to move right now. No contending teams need a PF except maybe Orlando, but a deal with them would be hard. Chicago could use a 2 like Martin, but other than that I don't see much of a market for him unless Cuban still wants him. Terry for Martin would get us closer to being under the luxury tax. As for Lowry, I'd like to keep him. He is still pretty young. His contract isn't terrible and guys who can hustle and give you 10 ppg/7 apg/5 rpg per 36 min aren't exactly common.
I will also state that I am now concerned about Scola, Miller, and Lowry's contract situations for the future. I think Scola has trade value if he needs to be moved but Lowry and Miller will be extrememly difficult to move if other players need to develop or need to be used to resign players like Brooks and the distant future Hill, and Budinger. But that conversation can be saved for another post.
I was actually referring to the opposite. I do not believe Morey will trade away these picks for anything other than Carmelo/CP3 themselves. He knows that his backup's backup plan is to at least use the picks to draft a star in the making. Rubio or Cousins might not even be worth giving up a potential top 5 pick that Morey has in mind.
If the pick is in the top three, I'd love to see Morey offer it for Rubio. If you must gamble on a player, and any selection is a gamble, why not roll the dice with a kid who could be averaging double digit assist over the next 10 years?
I don't think Scola OR Lowry would be hard to move. Scola is playing at an all-star level and has an adequate contract. Many teams would love to have Scola on their squad, especially as a 2nd or 3rd option. Lowry on the other hand has been playing pretty good ball and you must remember we did match another offer from a team willing to pay Lowry the same amount. Why wouldn't teams still be willing to spend that much on him after watching him get the chance to start and still be successful? As for Miller, I think the idea is for him to retire in Houston as long as Adelman continues to coach here. He is great to have on the court and you can tell he is really improving everyone around him on the 2nd unit. Jordan Hill, Joakim Noah, and Kevin Martin are all examples of how Miller can get the best out of his teammates. Morey has made sure he handed out contracts that did not put him in the hole. He wants every player on this team to remain a trade asset.
Obviously that trade is not made until there is confirmation that Rubio will sign a contract with the Rockets.
Rubio is coming over, sucks for Minnesota he hates the snow. IF Rubio would have been okay going to Minnesota they would have a SICK collection of talent. Rubio is probably better then anyone in this draft besides Kanter and MAYBE Barnes, I'd pull the trigger yesterday.
Sorry I have to vote to keep the pick, as long as Perry Jones I'll want to keep the pick. The 2011 NBA Draft is weak in terms of depth, not talent at the top. Barnes, Jones, Irving, Kanter, Vesely, Montiejunas all have talent to be game changers!! --RB
Ricky Rubio has never had a good season in the Euroleague. He is every year a mediocre at best player in Europe. There is no reason why the Rockets should have any interest in him. He is something like the 9th to 10th best player on his team in Spain. If Morey thinks Rubio is so good, then I am sad to say that there is no hope for this team as long as Morey is making roster decisions.
This pick is our only shot at getting a superstar. We would be fools to trade it (unless some miracle happens and we become good)
