Who do y'all think is going to be a sure lock for next year's roster? I'll give my list and why. T-Mac is going to be here for sure. Yao is going to be back even if some folks thinks he needs to be traded. I think Jon Barry will be back simply because of what he does bring to our bench. At times he doesnt score but his leadership plays a role of why he'll be back. I think MJ will be here if they can't trade him for someone like AD. Mutombo will be back if he doesn't ask for crazy money. There is not any good backup centers like him. I think everyone else is pretty much not on the clear side. I thought it was really good how the Rocket's free agents want to resign with the Rockets for the next year.
Well, Baker/Mooch/Spoon are all expiring contracts, so I don't think CD will have such a hard time moving them.
I don't see the fascination with the idea that we can't have both James and Daniels on this team.It's true that both are most effective with the ball,but on this team we can get away with hybrid 1/2's.The perimeter defense and athleticism that both of these guys bring is necessary if we are going to start racking up titles.Both guys are streaky shooters,though can create their own shot.James off the bench makes plenty of sense to me. AD has just begun to approach his lofty draft status.Daniels has the ability to handle the ball,and get it into the right hands,but the best parts of his game are his defense,ability to run the court,and in taking it to the hole.Antonio seems like he has just begun to scratch the surface of his talent/potential.The Rockets appear to be the best fit to finally bring out this playa's best game.I see Daniel's game as being very similiar to Mad Max. James might go in a seperate deal for a PF,but I doubt it...At least I hope not.
Well, you listed him, but we're still waiting to hear why you think his job is safe with the Rockets.
I think Padgett is here for sure unless he's a throw-in in a deal. Same with Bowen. I like both at the end of the bench.
I like Bowen and Padgett, but they are by no means meant to be in a sucessful teams 8 or 10 man rotation. If Bowen and Padgett find themselves in the playing rotation, then the Rockets either went after a Jason Kidd and used up all of their marbles or the free agents they targeted didn't come to the Rockets. As it is, with Weatherspoon, Moochie, Baker, and Ward the only way to improve the team is to replace Padgett and Bowen in the line up. This of course assuming no trades are really done. CD WILL HAVE TO BE WORKING THE PHONES THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1st tier Players: (guys who lead your team all the WAY) Yao McGrady 2nd tier Players: (guys who ask everything they are asked to) Mutumbo James 3rd tier Players: (guys who can contribute but near end of career) Wesley Surra Barry Howard 4th tier Players: (guys who are only in the NBA due to EFFORT) Padgett Bowen 5th tier Players: (guys the Rockets are STUCK with) Weatherspoon Baker Norris Ward
Well T-Mac is safe because if it wasn't for T-Mac, not many people wouldnt of fell in love with this team. He is the reason why more people came out to see the Rockets. My thing that bothers me the most about our Houston fans is there is not enough excitement at these games. I like Juwan Howard but i dont think he's what JVG is going to want long term.
Nobody, really. If you want to get hypertechnical. We'd trade McGrady for Garnett or Duncan. We'd trade Yao for those two, James, and probably a couple of other guys.
No i dont think they would trade for those guys. They want to be younger, and you would be getting older with those two.
If I was to trade yao it would only be for garnet or duncan and that's it.I wouldn't trade t mac for anybody right now it's his team.
Yao and T-Mac. That's all, nothing else. btw, You asked "Who would you consider safe" and added 'if' next to most besides Yao and T-Mac. I think that pretty much confirms it.
Agreed only untradeables is Yao and TMac. Next, I'd say Deke. If Deke goes away, he is basically unreplaceable. We could fill the void but they only way it gets better than Deke is Deke 6 years ago. Everybody else is tradable, from Rox perspective, for the right deal. JHow is untradeable, however. Heart problems + age + contract means he will definately be returning next season.
Besides Yao and McGrady, I think Barry and Howard are safe. Barry is safe because he won't be asking for much money and if we traded him somewhere, he'd just retire. They only way we lose him is if we make a major major trade and need all of our roster spots. Howard is safe because, while his contract isn't horrible, it is long, and with his health issues and mediocre performance, other teams are going to want to wait and see before picking him up.
players under contract for 05-06 who play (roster spots 7) -Tmac -Yao -JH -BS -DW -MJ -SP *Note: I think all are at least 90% chance to be on the roster at the start of the season. More or less the core played well, SP could be used as trade filler possibly but otherwise might as well hold on to him. players under contract for 05-06 who don't (4) -Spoon (except rarely) -VB -MN -CW *Note: all are expiring contracts except for Ward, unless we have a team option,which is not clear to mess have a trade line-up they will be back, even if to fill out IR. I think there is a good chance 1 or more is moved during the season of 05-06, but not before. players not under contract for 05-06 who play (3) -Deke -Barry -Bowen *Note: Deke is most critical got to have him. I assume 90% chance this happens. I can't see why Barry would not be brought back either. Great shooter and leader you can probably get for the vet min. I think Bowen will not be back, despite him doing all we asked of him, I think we will need his roster spot. players not under contract for 05-06 who don't (1) -Braggs *Note: Gone. potential new players for 05-06 (2-4) -1st round pick (very probable, guard/SF or PF) -MLE FA (very probable, PF or guard/SF) -other FA (vet SG or SF) -Spanolous -Badman (really doubtfull) I think you are allowed 12 active spots and 3 injured spots, or 15 total. Summary of projected line-up: C (1)Yao, (2)Deke, (11)Baker (IR, emergency) PF (3)JH, (4)FA or draft, (5)Padget, (12)Spoon (IR, emergency) SF (6)TM, (7)draft or FA athletic swingman SG (8)DW, (13)JB, draft or FA (not counted as also backup SF) PG (9)BS, (10)MJ, (14)Span, (15)MN(IR), (16)CW (IR) I just don't see a spot for Bowen unless Padget, Spoon or Baker are part of a S&T during the offseason. We need a more athletic swingman via draft or FA and that will take his spot. Also, if Span looks real good and we get the athletic swingman via draft/FA--may not be a spot for Barry actually. It would mean we have to buy out a contract to keep Barry, probably Ward's. Overall, I think we have 8 of the 9 playoff players back--those under contract + Deke + Barry- Bowen ("thanks for your effort here Ryan, there just isn't a spot or PT for you"). Mix in those 8 guys plus add a PF (MLE or possibly draft), athletic back-up swingman (draft or FA), and maybe Span--we are looking good going into the season. If you find out there are major weaknesses with that roster by mid season (e.g., Sura, Wesley breaking down or not producing), then you can make further changes.
I know Carrol and JVG are going to make some big changes this off season. With that in mind, it's a major concern of how not to mess up the chemistry within the team.
The bottom line is that it all flows from TMac and Yao...The rest of the moving parts are interchangeable...except maybe Deke.
