Will the Rockets make a move? Now that the trade deadline is around the corner. Do ya'll think the Rockets will make a move?
The question is Will they bolster the backcourt by trading one of our PF's(Cato/Mot) or trade off one of the gaurds to get a better frontcourt compliment to Yao... It can be either or unless we are going blockbuster and trading one of the big 3, which I hope doesn't happen
I'd actually say the odds are low, but anythings possible. Let's look over the team: YM - isn't going anywhere unless he forces a trade - sorry GS fans SF - would have to miss playoffs to be traded CM - will not be traded unless Rockets can get a star in return MT - decent scorer - fat contract - moderate trade value Cato - decent role player - fat contract - limited trade value Jackson - decent role player - but not much trade value Pike - poor shot and 3 year deal - little trade value BN - not getting minutes - unknown future - little trade value Mark J. - obviously no trade value CW - fat contract - last legs - no trade value Conclusion, for the Rockets to get a decent player in return, they would have to either: give up picks give up CM or MT accept a bloated contract make use of the mid level This basically means for the Rockets to get a guy we'd actually want, they would probably have to offer CM, draft pick, or use their mid level, since no team would want Cato or MT's contract, unless we took one of their bad contracts in return. I'd like to see the Rockets pick up a stud PF by using CM as bait, then see how YM, SF, and the new forward do on the floor together. My primary reason for wanting to see the Rockets make a move is that I am not convinced that the Rockets are a lock for the playoffs. Less than 5 games seperate the 7th and 9th place teams. Think about it. What is a stud PF: under 30 years old strong upper body and can run the floor plays hard defense and can block shots can make a 10-12 foot jumper with some regularity has the proper attitude basically a 25 year old version of Otis Thorpe PS: The Rockets cannot afford what RW is going to want to be paid next year, so it's not happening. Raven
I dont see anything happening to the Team. Remember that JVG is using this season to evaluate each player and after seasons end there will possibly be significant changes.
Thats Bull man... Trust me...If van gundy even thinks they are not gonna be a factor in the playoffs he'll make a move Also...to actaually answer your question...I think a trade is inevitable...why you ask............ The CATO experiment has blown up right in our faces at this point, and is a done at this point, you can stick a fork in it....and MO is to valuable to our Bench, Cato will get torched in the West for the rest of the season now that everyone has seen the Rockets weakness....SO So Cato....TRade exception, and maybe CAT and/or Boki/Pike could probably land us a PG, and a forward Could be wrong...but I think a Power Forward at this Point is a must at this point in order for the Rocks success Dare I say a we are a PF away from bein a dominate team in my opinion Also I think I LOVE MARK JACKSON.....he was phenominal and will make this team that much better Nobody has even mentioned his post up ability which is almost automatic is still part of his game also......this was a great pick up
A couple of weeks ago I would have said definitely, but the Rockets have always stuck with these guys after they string together a couple of wins. Right now though, with the way Yao is playing, they may be backing off with good reason. If Kelvin Cato's value is high or relatively high as a center then I do not believe the Rockets should hesitate one bit. Cato is a terrific backup center, but he's a luxury we can't afford given the other weaknesses on the team. When he starts at the four, it works at times and flops badly on other occassions. Offensive boards, defensive presence, nasty dunks? Yes. Shots outside 3 feet? No. Opponents are looking to expose a weakness, and several have opened this one wide open. Cato hasn't played much the past couple of games... I hope the Rockets don't see his value drop. Also, if Van Gundy determines a change must be made in the backcourt, then who do you move: Mobley or Francis? I still don't believe having both in the backcourt works, and I've always been a proponent of moving Mobley, but I do believe Cuttino has done a better job of playing smart and adjusting to Van Gundy than Steve has. But, if Mobley's value is also high on the market, you have to consider also that Jim Jackson (what a steal at 3 years, $7+ million) can play that position. Also, those pushing for the team to trade Francis can just about forget that until the offseason too, as I believe that is when his contract becomes full value for trades, since right now he is BYC status (capologists can confirm or deny this). The bottom line is this team could really use a stud four, and you'd probably have to get a solid three as well if you have to make any trades (and move Jackson to the two). With the trade exception (for possible sign-and-trade deals) and the mid-level exception to use, I think they will, at a minimum, add a solid player to the team. Houston is still one of the best, if not the best, free agent locations, and with Yao starting to come in to his own it just becomes more attractive. In my opinion Van Gundy may be a deterrent, but it depends on the player. So the Rockets situation to make trades is much better in the offseason, but I do believe they are going to continue to discuss things with other teams up until the February deadline.
Great observations clutch...We feel pretty much the same As far as JVG bein a deterrent, don't worry about that.....remember......Players don't make that decision trade wise....all we have to do is convince a GM..Players have no say in trades(unless they have a clause) Now Free Agents this summer.....you have a point
uh Raven.. I think you got it mixed up... Pike is getting no minutes.. Boki is averaging 14 minutes a game over the last 6 games. and with Mo's production....his contracts are not quite as bloated as some believe. For a PF that can do what he does, there are teams out there who would take his contract. as for Cato...I wish I had the link to the thread where someone figured out what the average earnings of centers are, and Cato was not getting that much more than average... Cato may have been getting paid too much when he got the contract....but his production over the last season and the defensive skills he brings would not make his contract unmoveable to a team that needs an imposing force in the paint that doesnt need to provide offense outside of 5 feet.
I was convinced by the Feigen article a while back saying not to expect much if any trade-deadline movement. The stage is set for an interesting offseason when we have a large trade exception available and a pool of free agents looking for sign-and-trades. Plus, Francis' BYC expires and we'll be allowed to offer our 2005 pick in trade again. I don't think the team will want to squander any of their offseason resources by pulling the trigger prematurely.
What mix up? I described both BN and Pike's value as "little", and MT's value as "moderate". I think that's a fair description. Cato is a good back up with a starter's contract and MT is a great back up with a starter's contract. It's their contracts that hurt their trade value, not their ability, though I would put MT as slightly more tradable than Cato. I would rank the Rockets in order of value (factoring in contract) as: YM (second most valuable player in league) SF CM MT Cato J. Jackson BN - the "potential" word is fading fast Pike - big let down this year SP M. Jackson CW - a salary anchor Raven Raven
I think Cato still has decent value, especially to Eastern Conference teams. He is a solid center that rebound and block shots. I think he would be especially good on teams that like to run....say Dallas. I dont think he stock will drop right now with his limited minutes as he has played well this year. But clearly at PF he is exposed in terms of his lack of offense. Lately we have been seeing a lot of Scott Padgett. Padgett has played well on this team. He was a very nice addition. He adds a lot of hustle and knows his role. Any time we play a team with a mobile PF then the Taylor/Padgett combo is the best option. Like Clutch said, Cato as a backup center really isnt a luxury we can afford right now with some of the more glaring weaknesses on the roster I am in favor of moving Mobley more than Francis. If we could move Mobley and get a quality SF (moving JJ to the 2) then that would be ideal. Perhaps then we could get a solid PF via the MLE. Agreed. Personally I dont see this team making any trades to take away from the core rotation before the trade deadline unless we would get a star quality type player such as a Rasheed Wallace. I think we will more than likely see this team stay intact this season and then make some moves in the offseason. We will have the TE to allows us to make a wide variety of trades regardless of salary matching and we will have the MLE. Plus since it is more than likely that the Luxury Tax is going away, Les will be more inclinded to take on more monies.
Good post, Clutch. I agree about Cat. He has adjusted better than has Steve. Both the Rockets and Steve Francis would be better served in a parting of ways. Although I think the trade exception can be used to offset Steve's BYC status, if it should come to that. I doubt it will. If Steve gets moved, the off-season is more likely. Even though his style of play hinders the team sometimes, his presence is overwhelming for the team, and moving him during the season would create a vacuum. In that vacuum, would the new order implode or grow? No one knows the answer to that question. I'm sure JVG, Les and CD don't want to be vilified for the appearance of running off Steve Francis. Unless we wound up with a super-duper star like Tracy McGrady; and ain't no one believin we'll get such a player. I wouldn't be surprised to nab Rasheed in a 3-way trade, something like that, and it would cost us our big men. Cato may have a big contract, but he has shown himself quite capable. Now that Yao is playing 3 solid games to one wimpy game, Cato has found himself more expendable. Cato/Mo to Chicago; Toni Davis/Eddy Curry to Portland; Sheed/Stepania to Houston?
I think this coming summer is when we will make big additions to the team. If we're allowed to combine our trade exception with the MLE then that's a lot of cash to spend on a signing or signings. I don't think a trade will happen before the deadline unless something extraordinary comes up- the way Cat and Cato are playing now, they're only going to be traded for a top tier player.
Like others, I believe that our biggest need is a stud PF with Cato being the asset to acquire such a player. However, while we wait for such a move, the alternative may be to pick up a player such as Jerome Moiso. Apparently, the Raptors are willing to part with him. He's young, athletic and has a lot of potential. While he's done little since being in the L, he's worth a shot on potential alone. In addition, Curry will be out of the Raptors line up for a while due to surgery. Adrian Griffin's game is similiar to Curry, so maybe the Raptors would be willing to swap AG for Moiso. The salaries match up. Here's the link http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2004/01/21/319813.html I apologize if this link has already been posted and discussed.
I'd have to say that Cato probably has more trade value than Mo. For one, his contract is smaller than Mo's (42 million vs. 48.75 for Mo). His contract also ends sooner (2006 instead of 2007). And finally, he's a center while Mo is a power forward. Even if Mo is the better player (which Cato is making debatable this season and last), a good center is such a rarity nowadays that teams are willing to pay extra to have one. Mo's contributions can be provided by quite a number of power forwards and small forwards. But, there are more teams than players who can provide the size, strength, defense and ability Cato brings to the center position. Plus, you can always play centers or small forwards out of position at the 4; whereas you can only play a power forward out of position at the 5. So, as a GM, I'm likely more interested in Cato than Taylor, unless I already had a strong center or a problem scoring.
I really like the 3 man rotation for the C/PF positions. And thus, Cato has to start. If our offense is struggling, simply take Cato out for MoT. If Yao's in foul trouble, move Cato to C and let MoT play PF. Not everyone on the team has to be a shooter or a scorer. Shoot the Bulls of old had Rodman who maybe shot 1 or 2 times a game, mostly on put-backs. If Cato's contract were about half the size it is, people would be LOVING him. He only loses love in Houston 'cause he gets paid well for what he does. So what? I think he fits well. It ain't my money. I don't think we'll make any trades before the trade deadline.
Well the money the Rockets spend on Cato is money they could have spent on another player, so contract size is an important consideration. BTW: I'm sorry for the glitch in my earlier post. I try to be careful about that stuff, but it slipped by. Raven
You misunderstand what I said... You referred to their minutes....I said that very plainly...I wasnt talking about their trade value. go back and read yours...then read mine...and if you still dont get what I mean..
Even though the 3-man rotation seems to be working right now, I don't think it will last too long. Cato and MoT are both one-dimensional PFs, meaning they are only good at one thing and thats it. I truly believe that we are one tough minded, powerful, PF away from being a true contender. Even though I love MoT, and he seems to be getting better at it, the guy still has problems collecting rebounds and being a presence in the paint. Cato plays great D and can rebound, but he can't score for his life. I think the Rockets should pursue a true PG and move Steve to SG (he looked really comfortable at SG lastnight), and THE ROCKETS SHOULD MAKE A HARD RUN AT BOOZER THIS OFFSEASON.
I agree with Clutch. Let's get some forwards. I'd sure like Harrington and Boozer. Or frickin' Artest and Boozer. That'd be sweet. What's some other targets?
