Assuming the Rocks trade Walt Williams for a 2002 first rounder and we package that pick, Toronto's #1 and possibly our #1 to get another gem like the Griffin -- and given Cato's much improved play -- do the Rockets go for a center, small forward or point guard?
What team would realistically give up their first round pick for Walt Williams, yet alone have the cap room to take him? In this draft, it's probably better to have 2-3 picks than one top pick (unless it's #1).
As the races tighten, one team or another will need a shooter like Walt so the #1 scenario is possible. Your point also is valid. However, with our selection, what position most needs strengthening?
Noone is going to give up a 1st rounder for Walt but they may give up a 1st rounder for Willis. Everyone wants size.
Well, as to what position the Rockets need the most, I'd say they need either a center or forward. But with the way Cato is playing and the possibility that Cato will feel "unwanted" or "bad" if we take on another center and go all lazy again (and the fact that we have Willis or Griffin both who do decently at center), I say our best bet may be a forward. We have Griffin and KT and Taylor, but if one or, heaven forbid, two of them get injured, and assuming Walt is traded off, who's going to sub in at that position well for them? I don't trust TMo to play that well yet and I'm against it if they want to put Rice in for a long period of time in the game, he just doesn't seem to fit in this team, plus he ain't no young'un anymore. I don't expect him to stay on the Rockets for too long. Also Cat, Steve, Moochie, and Torres can hold the backcourt for the Rockets, assuming they learn to pass better and SOME of them stop becoming so streaky. They're all young and good friends, hopefully they'll be here for a while.
Okay, okay, but the real question is where do you think the Rockets most need to strengthen if they have one good pick (aside from Yao Ming who is obvious)?
I could see one of the better teams in the league giving up a late first rounder for Walt. Walt's contract ends this year and alot of teams are looking for cap relief. However, I do believe he will be part of a bigger deal.
Walt's injury is killing his value. There was talk that his final year contract and his shooting skills would be a nice compliment to a team on the playoff bubble and wanting to potentially clear cap room next year. I highly doubt now that we will end up with anything more than a high 2nd round pick for Walt or a down the bench player. If and, now that is a big if, is moved, it will either be part of a multiplayer deal to pick up a servicable player to replace collier and langhi on next year's roster. These dudes aint playing in on a 15-30 team and that spells bad news for their roster possibilities next year, After the trading deadline, no deal is possible for Walt because he is a Free Agent in July.
I say small forward via trade in the summer. Francis,Mobley,Odom or Lewis, and Griffin as 1,2,3,4 and we'll be ready to run with the big dogs.
Oh, how I would like to package our #1 picks and somehow wind up with Lamar Odom (he and Mo-T could light up). The Clips won't keep Odom anyway. Of course, the Clips know the Rox would be fighting them for a playoff spot; and we'd still need to move dead-weight contracts (Hey, Bulls! Who loves ya?) But a man can dream.
This is interesting. Everybody so far seems concerned with SF, Rice, Morris and Langhi notwithstanding (my bad, just saw the inadvertant pun: not-with-standing). Does this mean Cato has won the center position in the hearts of Rockets' fans?
