Lue was the first, but almost certainly not the last. So who'll be the next to pack his suitcase and head for the Greyhound terminal? My money is on MoT, because MoT has been publicly disagreeing with JVG's assessment of the team's effort. In other words, MoT thinks they're trying hard enough and JVG obviously doesn't agree. Combine that with MoT and Howard both being soft PFs with a (usually) good shooting touch, *and* the fact that Howard is supposedly one of the most agreeable locker-room presences in the league, and the writing's on the wall for Mo. So, who do you think (not *wish*) will be the next to hit the road?
What does Grant's contract look like these days? I think he'd be a pretty decent fit for us at the moment.
Brian Grant's played in 12 games, averaging 4 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes a contest. He has balky knees. He's never been a shot blocker. Why would we want to pay a veteran in the twilight of his career 12mil a year? I don't think CD would do this. If we make another trade, I have a hunch it'll only involve a pick and the TE. Even though he plays a valuable role, if anyone's traded it'll be Mutombo because of his expiring contract.
Jim Jackson. He's the closest thing to a tradeable commodity this team has and most likely will need to be packaged with Taylor or Howard to get rid of one of those two.
Boki has to go. We didn't pick up his option. This is the last chance to get anything for him. He won't come back here, even if he's just begging for a minimum contract. He can do that anywhere. Move him now.
Let's face facts: Although his ClutchBBS fan club doesn't seem to get the picture, Boki is a 3rd-year scrub who can't find minutes on a sub-.500 team with a desperate need for an outside shot. His trade value is almost nil. I think the best we'd be able to do is pick up a similar 3rd-year draft bust with no option. His real value is probably as a tasty throw-in to a bigger deal. That little glimpse of potential might be the thing to make someone pull the trigger on a bigger deal.
I think Nachbar is the most moveable and thus I feel he will be the next to be traded. He has a decent contract and he is young. I think we would all LIKE to move Mo and Howard first but their contracts make it more difficult.
mo's gotta go - the other day in the paper (I can't find the link) but JVG was talking about effort and players coming from losing teams - and look who comes in with a contrary opinion... Mr. Taylor - he drops a "someone's gotta lose each night" on everyong. Let me see if I an find it - "great" attitude - you could almost tell he wanted to go (or he really doesn't care)
Mutombo for Nene AND others, especially when considering Houston's picks won't be THAT good? And when you have Denver giving up most of their shooting guard options? Not happening. Sura probably carries the most trade value on the squad, but he's probably one of the last people you would want to see traded. Everyone else isn't going to fetch much, particularly not in December. Maybe in February, but not now.
I think Boki's trade value would be a tad higher if we excercised his option. Why would a team trade for a guy with potential that could split after the end of the year and go somewhere else? I would understand if Boki had a huge contract waiting to be unloaded, but he really doesn't.
You forgot tomention that he couldn't get time for two different coaches, including the one who drafted him. I really don't see what all the love for Boki is based on. If I were another teams GM, I think I would give up more for Reese Gains than I would for Boki. And that ain't saying a lot.
I believe that Motumbo is right where he should be. That being said,Taylor needs to go.It's been beaten to death,but fortunately seems to be coming to a head now.The presence of a defensive,rebounder type at the 4 will pay big dividends. JJ is another,who,as far as I'm concerned,needs to hit the bricks.He fit in with Steve and the boys,but in a disciplined half court offense,his jack-factor is exposed. Boki,to me,could eventually live up to billing,but his time is about up here IMO.He still has some value though.
Mutumbo will have strong trade value come the trade deadline. Rockets are going nowhere except the lottery. If the Rockets don't trade Mutumbo especially if the Rockets vying for lottery position, CD should be fired. Who the hell is going to take Mo Taylor except maybe the Lakers in a package of Yao and Boki? Trading Mo to any other team is like selling stock after the stock market crash of 1987.
