whats a reasonable free agent we can sign nxt yr at the 4?

We can't be choosey, the market isn't sufficient enough.

With the controversy Swift has had this year (health, commitment, toughness), I think a 6 year MLE will land him. It is a question if you want to.

My preference is day 1 offer a full MLE to SAR. He can take it or put ultra pressure on Portland to faciltate a S&T with us or they will be left with nothing. The fact his teams have lost over the years is not a big deterrent to me, as we expect him to be a role player supporting Yao/Tmac, not carrying the load. Very different situation/expectations.

I have more mixed feelings about DM (same age as JH) and Evans (restricted FA and limited range)--but I'd be happy if we landed either.

I'd consider pursuing Chandler or Brown--couple #1s, expiring contracts, but have no idea if that will be in the ballpark for them. SAR or Swift, who are UNrestricted, are probably more attainable.

 

Murphy is not gonna happen. He's in the Warriors' future plan according to Chris Mullin.

 

Our role players are getting old. We need a player who can play as a 3rd option and at the same time young enough to be here in the long term. SAR fits that bill to a tee. He can score and rebound. He's a proven commodity without risks. His versatility of being able to play two positions increases our depth. He's an asset if signed to the right contract. This team's talent pool increases by a sucessful lottery pick with him. It'll be nice if we can throw in the MLE and get him on board. As for his being a loser over his career, well, so does Elton Brand. That's what happens when a nice but none franchise player plays for losing teams.

 

my thoughts on the discussion and the players talked about so far:


SWIFT: would be a dream. can block, rebound, even has a nice mid-range j. the problem is he will get a max deal from NOH. will he take half of that to play for us?

CHANDLER: swift with no offense. not gonna get a max deal but will still be out of our price range with the nice season the bulls have put together. should get more than MLE from either the bulls, hawks or NOH (if they don't get swift).

SAR: would give us a 3rd option, can hit the "Jho jumper" as i like to call it (ft line extended). has some range out to the 3. can post up. we will average 100ppg with him on our team and that will make us very tough to beat. he is not a great defender but he is quick enough to stay with the marions and odoms. i doubt he gets more than the MLE.

DM: only offense is 3's and put backs. He is padgett with the ability to get 9rpg. should also sign for the MLE however, realgm already reported that he said we wants to go back to the bulls.

EVANS: the offense will look like we have cato back, but cato never averaged 9rpg in 24minutes. doesn't defend well inside either. definitely will sign for somewhere in the MLE. should be our fallback plan if the first 4 don't work out.

 

my bad on SAR. I realized my mistake.. yes, he wants to play the 4.

However, that doesn't change my stance. I don't think he'd be a good fit. I guess he's worth the MLE--but I think that money is better spent elsewhere or saved even. But I wouldn't mind seeing him offered that...anymore, and I think it's a waste. There's a reason some guys are perennial losers. Add an attitude problem and a quitter mentality at times in his career? Not the kinda player I think this team needs.

Also, on that note, I'd like for the new 4 to bring some energy...SAR has that laid back personality that Yao and Tracy both have. Not a bad thing, but too much of the same isn't good either.

 

Shareef is to Juwan Howard what Juwan Howard is to Mo Taylor. Howard is a slightly upgraded version of Taylor. Shareef is a slightly upgraded version of Howard. I would like to see the Rockets get a power forward that brings a different dimension to this team. The Rockets are severely lacking versatility. Shareef is the type of player that the Rockets already have plenty of.

We already have plenty of low key guys. Bring in some more pit bulls. We already have offensive-minded players. Bring in defensive minded players or rebounders. This team is already full of players in their late 20’s or early 30’s. Bring in some young and hungry players that have something to prove.

The reason Van Gundy basically threw Taylor away is because he was too similar to Howard. Shareef resembles Howard even more than Taylor does. Shareef is a 17/7 player on a bad team. That’s exactly what Howard was before joining the Rockets.

 

A lot of good suggestions here, and I, for one, would love to see SAR in a Rockets uni.

However, isn't Nene also going to be a free agent this summer? From what I've read, the skill set is there, and possibly the attitude, too. I guess my questions are 1) Would we have a legitimate shot at him this summer? and 2) Would we be genuinely interested in what he brings?

discuss.

 

As long a we make sure Mutumbo is under contract, drafting a power forward in a deep power forward draft like this one will robably suffice (many have mentioned Turfiaf - another few options could be if hakim warrick fell or Ike diago of arizona state declared).

If we chose freee agency, The bird man would be awesome, but the hornets will probably want to lock him up because he's a fan favorite.
Maybe our annual persuit of Bo Outlaw or Marshall.

If we use our expiring contracts, it better be for a star - especially after watching baron davis and others get traded for crap players with expiring contracts. So Michael Redd/Rahim or bust.

 

With 3 contracts expiring next year there will be teams willing to dump players for cap relief. I am sure we will find some of those players not big names but a guy that will fit our system. I think it will be pretty easy to do. we have 9 million off the books someone has a player for that amount or less who needs relief to build. Also get a kid in the draft and we are ready to contend big time

 

Can we still get Eddie Griffin?

 

SAR is one of my three favorite players and I've been following his games since his rookie season. He's never a poison in the locker room, an unselfish player on the court, and a devoted Muslim off the court. Initially thought to be a franchise player, e's too quiet to be a leader and is not a good enough player like Duncan or Tmac who can lead the team with individual skills.

He started off his career with very good post games and now he has added outside shootings to his repertoire. The major weakness would be his defense. He's a good rebounder but not much of a banger or shot blocker. Also, he's a bit slower in defending smaller or quicker SFs.

Nevertheless, I really really hope somehow he can join the Rockets, then I'll have all my favorite players in the team.

 

SAR reminds me alot of Juwan Howard, in game, and in the fact that somehow historically they seemed to keep putting up good numbers of crappy teams. I don't think he'd be a bad pickup, but he's not the enforcer everyone is clamoring for.

 

I hear you guys clamoring for an enforcer. I like the idea in theory too, but lets be realistic.

What is you choice between SAR and Reggie Evans?

That is the kind of question you have to ask and what it may come down to. Unless some really unlikely oppertunnities come about (Chandler/Brown), the somewhat realistic free agents are:

-SAR (URFA)
-DM (URFA)
-Swift (URFA)
-Evans (RFA, may have to overpay so the Sonics don't match)
-Songalia(RFA)

I like SAR over DM because of age and athleticsm. Swift is interesting, but comes with a lot of questions, which is the only reason an MLE might be in the ballpark for him now. Evans we have to out bid Seattle, and he has major offensive limitations. Songalia we have to outbid the Kings--and I am not sure the defense he brings.

Overall when I look at alternatives, I'd set my eyes on SAR. We can look for an undersized but physical enforcer or defensive oriented effort PF via league minimum contracts (James Thomas) or draft (Turiaf, Diago, Sheldon Williams, Bass, Warrik, Simien?) to hopefully groom as SAR's back-up once JH is done.

 

WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT NEXT SEASON WHEN THE PLAYOFFS ARE AHEAD OF US?

 

1) Who the Rockets pursue trade wise will be largely impacted by the draft which preceeds the trade season. (If there is a trade season given that the CBA will be expiring).

2) I hate Antoine Walker's game. Let me repeat that...I hate Antoine Walker's game. But if we're going to throw a full MLE at an URFA, at least Walker (unlike SAR) brings major things to PF that we don't already have. Compared to SAR, 'toine is much better in the open court, is quicker, a better rebounder and has more shooting range. I'm NOT suggesting Walker so much as rejecting (once again) SAR.

3) If faced with two options...all of the MLE for SAR or improving our overall depth by adding two players splitting the MLE, I'll take the latter.... one "big" and one perimeter. Some examples...

* Bobby Simmons (UFA) & Dan Gadzuric (RFA).
* Earl Watson (UFA) & Mikki Moore (UFA).
* Jeff McInnis (UFA) & Allen Henderson (UFA).
* Dan Dickau (UFA) & Jerome James (UFA).
* Marco Jaric (RFA) & Donyell Marshall (UFA).
* Bobby Jackson (UFA) & ZaZa Pachulia (RFA).

OK...I'm reaching a little there at the end. In some cases, market price or Bird Rights may impact availability but I personally find any combo of 2 preferable to SAR only.

Bear in mind that the Grizz already have a healthy payroll and if they pay Stro big bucks, they may not have enough left for Watson. This is the gambit MIA put on the Clips a few years ago to obtain Odom. They bid high on Brand knowing the Clips wouldn't max both Brand and Odom.

Lastly, only a handful of teams have big bucks...and most are in serious rebuild mode. I'm optimistic.

 

Speaking of Deke.. What do you think its going to take to resign him??? Hes allready the 2nd most highest paid player in the league ....... What dollar amount do you forsee the rockets giving him??

 

9 mill over two years.

 

Re: Walker...I feel the same way. There's a part of me curious to see what would happen if you put a piece JVG's mind into Walker, and made him do some defensive work and toned down his shot selection. His FG% is up a little bit since returning to Boston. It'll be interesting to see if Boston wants to keep him- they have Al Jefferson on the rise, along with Lafrentz and Blount up front (both of whom are potential trade possibilities if they keep Walker- Blount's midrange J was lethal against us, and he can block some shots).

I'd stay away from both Simmons and Gadzuric. Simmons because he's a 3/2 rather than a 2/3(JVG seems to want to keep TMac at the 3), and I think his outside shooting is fool's gold. His value to another team is higher than it is to us. Similar idea for Gadzuric. A team would be willing to pay him more to be a 5 than we would for him to be a 4.

I think McInnis would take most of the MLE. Henderson is an interesting idea as a backup to Juwan, though I'd rather get a legit starter and bring JHo off the bench.

Dickau is a good shooter and passer...I think New Orleans will pay him like a starter and a 2/3 scoring option because he is that for him. We can't really offer that. James would be ok if we lose Deke, but I'd rather resign Deke and keep the MLE for our PF/perimeter woes.

I like Jaric...a lot. He's 26, can shoot, has ideal SG size but PG game, and creates turnovers. If the Clippers are hovering around the salary floor, I'd love to persuade them to a S/T with a pick and an expiring contract- thus keeping the MLE intact.

Bobby Jackson...eh. He's similar to what we have, in that he's PG size, but not really a true point. He'd fit into Wesley's position like a glove, but other than that, I don't see it. Honestly, I'd go for Mobley over him- Mobley's an iron man and 2 years younger. Jackson is showing a lot of wear and tear.

 

....

 

I kinda agree with what someone else posted earlier...realistically, I would love the Chris Anderson on this team. He's got energy, hops, speed, and he could protect our foul-prone Yao. Plus, he can defend somewhat adequetly against opposing centers as well.