Well another trade, another day of curiosity of what will happen next. The open roster spot leaves much to imagination of what, if anything the Rockets have brewing behind the scenes. Will they get two players in return for ridding themselves of a PF, or will they use the TE? So, again, who do you guys think will be the next to ride off into the sunset? 1) Howard 2) Taylor 3) Weatherspoon 4) Wesley 5) Mutombo
Not Motay or Howard - nobody wants their fat a$$ contracts. Not Mutombo - he's our only backup C Not Wesley we just got him and with Ward being out and Sura injury he's staying. Not Weatherspoon - nobody wants his fat a$$ So unless we do something "under the table" there's nobody else that has value.
Mutombo has value, expiring contract. I can see us packaging him with either Spoon or MoT for somebody else's trash. We'd still have Howard to play minutes at the 5 and whatever other junk we got back along with the possibility of signing Lonny Baxter or some big man in the NBDL to play backup minutes at the 5. Remember, that player isn't going to get significant minutes so I think the Rockets would move Deke for possibly a big banger PF or at least a PF that rebounds better than our current 4's and can shoot the 3. Enter-Donyell Marshall
Mutomobo is the only one with trade value, as he has an expiring contract. The other four are overpaid and have remaining years on their deals, and could only be traded for a grossly overpaid player in return, such as a Jalen Rose, Chris Webber or Allan Houston-type contract.
Mutombo was the best player move we made aside from getting TMac. Leave Mutombo alone, CD or JVG or whoever is orchestrating this mess!
Bingo! The Rockets basically spent their last remaining "good" asset in JJ/Nachbar. They got Wesley. As the Chronicle said today, the Rockets undoubtedly tried to move Howard or Taylor to get the PG help that they needed but there were NO TAKERS. So we had to move Jackson. That tells you something there. EDIT: we have one more asset we can use. That is our Trade Exception. We have a roster spot open so we should use it to add another quality player.
Taylor is next in my opinion , If he's moved he maybe bundled with other players. Not sure which but please don't trade Deke! He is a great back up to have that is a total change of pace when Yao is out of the game.
I have a hard time seeing how so many members figure Taylor is next to go, when he's the most unmovable guy on the roster. Only way he leaves is if we buy him out this summer - which we really need to go ahead and do. Evan
What 'quality' players are there to be had with the TE? IMO, the TE just doesn't seem to be that attractive to other teams...
So far, I am the only one that voted for Wesley to go next... This trade just doesn't make sense to me!?!?!?
I think it will be as time goes by as more teams realize they are out of the playoff race and want to get some cap room for the offseason.
I chose Spoon only because I can't see us letting go of Mutombo because he's done such a great job backup up Yao, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out that CD wants to resign him to a 5 year contract anyway, I wouldn't mind if we resigned him to 1 year with a team option second year. With Deke out of the question I'd say Spoon is the next best because of his expiring contract. Dunno who we'd trade with or what we'd get, but I think it makes the most sense. Pugs
I voted Taylor, but I can't see the team being able to move any of the 3 PF's. If he can go on a run of games where he's hitting his shots more, he may become more movable to a really desperate team, but I strongly doubt we'll get the PF people are wishing for- why would a team trade a tough, rebounding PF for a soft, non-rebounding one? And if we trade MoT for yet another guard, well I just can't imagine that. Pugs- I thought Spoon still had at least 1 more season after this one on his contract? If he doesn't, I'd change my vote to Spoon. I would hope they don't move Deke, without him we'll be in real trouble for size. He is the offseason acquisition I'd say has worked out the best for the team (yes, bar none) taking into account what we gave up and what we got back. I wouldn't mind if they moved Wesley (depending on who comes back), but I really think that management made this trade because they thought Wesley would be a better fit, not because they were clearing a spot for another trade, or because they were planning to turn around and deal Wesley later.
My answer is noone for the rest of the season. If the team doesn't show improvement and we finish below .500, then can JVG at the end of the season for being a turd who his players don't respond to.
