Bazemore or James Johnson would be good fits that shouldn’t take more then a 1st attached to Anderson to nab.
I want Kent Bazemore...Ariza is better defensively, but Baze can still D up, and he’s more competent offensively
I'm good with trading Ryno for Bazemore or Harkless. Blazers fans have the knives out for Olshey. No rational reason for him to make that trade. Batum's contract is so toxic it isn't even worth discussing. MKG's offense is just too sorry. Don't want him. Bazemore sound most likely. That would be a very strong move for the Rockets.
Have to get Kent Bazemore to offset the defensive losses. If Rockets are stuck with Ryan Anderson type salary and going to pay luxury taxes, might as well convert that $$ investment into someone that actually contributes to team. It's criminal to pay Ryan Anderson that much and pay that kind of luxury tax while that thief contributes nothing. Might as well go all out, throw in a pick and get Bazemore. We need to maximize our productivity for the $$ spent.
Question is if we trade for a defensive sf what is the lineup going to look like at the 3 and 4 spot 3- Melo/ (trade pick up) 4- tucker/ Ennis ??
It says Houston willing to take back "long term money" for Anderson, meaning the team trading for Anderson has to be saving money by dumping a deal that is longer than Anderson's. I'm sure the Rockets would love to have Bazemore, but he has the same 2 years left as Anderson and he makes even less, so that's not who they are talking about. Codman was dropping hints in the other thread about an Anthony Mason type point forward - that is obviously James Johnson. Miami makes sense because they are about $3 million above the luxury tax line and would like to get back below. Johnson has 3 years left but at $15 million a year, for Miami to save money and match salaries they would need to add one more player. If we can get Josh Richardson + Johnson for Anderson + 1st rounder, that would be great, but not sure Miami bites. More likely Waiters + Johnson.
Batum would be one, but his D has been average for a few years and not much of a 3. Not sure he's worth it. The tweet did not specify that it has to be one player, in fact it said a defensive player or two. If it's for two players then the possibilities are more. But you have to look at which teams are motivated to dump salary. The only team over the luxury tax line are the contenders who won't be dumping, and the Wizards + Heat. Wizards just signed Dwight so it doesn't look like they are giving up yet, plus Otto Porter(presumably who they would dump) is way too good to give away for Anderson. That leaves the Miami Heat.
