Barry wants 4 years at the MCE - 5.5, or better. He turned down 3 years at 6 from Seattle. I say just give it to him. It's that simple. Use the TE to dump Taylor and get another power forward/backup center. TE at 7 and Taylor at 8 = 15 + pike 2 = 17. That's close to AD and Chandler in Chicago. Yao/AD Howard/Chandler Boki/JJ Tmac/Barry Barry/Lue/Gaines fill out the roster with Spoon, Tmo, AG, Wilks Alternatively, we could take on a Seattle backup center with the TE and trade Taylor for Barry and a contract, then use the MCE to get a forward.
I think MoT is a better scorer and also better player than Howard. MoT has an array of moves to score and shoots a high percentage. I don't think JHoward has nearly the moves as MoT and I don't think he shoots a high percentage. On defense and rebounding I think both are average. Keep in mind that MoT plays in the West and that he doesn't play as much as Howard and he is not the #2 option on the team. Then again it's pretty close.
I just think BB is too old to be giving a 4 year deal. He'll be 32 entering the season, and do we really need a stopgap at the 1 when we can get a younger guy like Troy Hudson?
jmwilliamson: "If we gave Martin the max, which I think is what you're suggesting, How exactly do you figure we can afford to keep Yao and McGrady? Even the Lakers only have two max contract players." Heck, I'm no CBE expert. I'm sure I will be corrected here. My assumptions are: 1. CD and Les will do anything to get us to the championship level. 2. Les will pay the luxury tax, if it exists, for an impact player (he said as much). 3. We traded a first round pick for a $7 million trade exception, and plan to use it. 4. If we trade for McGrady and use the TE, we will be over the cap when it's time to sign or own free agents, but will still be able to offer them the max since we hold their Bird rights. I'm not saying Martin and Nash are the best choices, but I think they're better than Taylor, Howard, Fisher, etc. We might not get Martin even with the max -- why would NJ do the S & T for Taylor or Howard? But I think we should go for the gold and use the TE for a top flight 4. Then a seasoned, top flight point guard might be tempted by the MLE and the chance at a ring playing with Yao. McGrady, Martin (e.g.), and a good supporting cast. I'm cool with Barry over Nash, and I'm cool with Al Harrington over Martin. But I hope McGrady is just the start of the rebuilding. We made the playoffs -- now lets go for the Finals!
B-ball freak: "You undervalue Martin, not monetarily but by what it would take to acquire him through trade." Uh ... OK. I thought I was pretty clear when I said "we might not get Martin even with the max -- why would NJ do the S & T for Taylor or Howard?" But maybe not. Just to be clear, here is my position: Let's use one of our "B" forwards and the trade exception to land an "A" forward. Add sweetener as needed.
You're living in a fantasy world dude.....Nash and Martin will not be Rockets...its not going to happen. We don't any more star level players, we need role players that add to the skills T-Mac and Yao have. Realistic... C-Yao/Howard/Taylor PF-Howard/Taylor/Spoon SF-JJ/Bokie SG-T-Mac/JJ PG-Fisher/Barry/Van Exel
