Wizard buys out Richmond's Contract (concerns rockets)

There are provisions in some contracts (particularly the last year of a contract) that allow teams to do that. It might work with Williams, but not with Cato. Cato is still owed WAY too much money.

Even if we did buy out the contract, I believe we would still be liable for Williams dollars on our salary cap.

Help salary cap gurus!

One note...

The Rockets players and coaching staff REALLY like having Williams on the team. He is a very stable, calm guy who is terrific in the locker room and the players absolutely love him. This doesn't mean he couldn't or wouldn't be traded, but his presence is important to the team and that is most definitely a factor in the decision to keep him on the team.

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How the hell should I know why God would allow the Holocaust. I don't even know how the electric can opener works. - from Hannah and Her Sisters

[This message has been edited by Jeff (edited June 30, 2001).]

 

Jeff,
I've heard all the talk about how important Williams is in the locker room but where does he fit on this team now that we have Morris and Griffin? I am having a hard time imagining Bullard getting playing time much less Bull and Wizard.

Do you think Rudy T will have to make a decision between Bull and Walt this summer? Since Walt is already under contract does that mean good bye to Bull or do we just bite the bullet and keep two aging players that bring us the same thing, 3pt shooting?

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Bullard probably does have to go, he can still help the team but he hurts a lot of the young players if he gets minutes. Wizard can hit the shots with consistent minutes to bring up his confidence. Sadly it does look like Bullard is out.

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Ziggy

 

I know Rudy loves Bull but if Walt is really that good for the players then I don't see any alternitive to saying good bye to Bull. Its almost a shame though because he has a more consistant 3pt shot than Walt.

Here is the group of players as I see it:

Francis
Norris
Mobley
Langhi
Morris
Griffin
Taylor
Kenny Thomas
Collier
Cato
Dream
Walt
Bull

Thats 13 as I count it and thats not including Shandon if Rudy T tries to bring him back. That also does not include any possible free agents from out of the organization if we decide to go after some one. Its starting to look kind of crowded.

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Um, I don't think so. Cause at ESPN, they said Wizard would have better chance at free agency, so that means they just cleared the cap space.

What Richmond actually had was an early termination option (ETO) clause in his contract. The terms must be written into the contract, but the buy out amount cannot exceed 50% of the remaining value of the players contract.

So, in Richmond's case, he was still owed $20M over the next 2 years. Washington had the option to buy him out for $10M and will take a $5M cap hit the next two years. That's still a cap savings of $5M a year over what they would have owed Richmond.

Cato's contract is recent isn't it, so Houston should be allowed to do that. So if we had a rich as hell org./owner (Cuban) then we can buy out Cato too?

Nope. Early termination options can not be for anything earlier than the 5th year of a contract. So, even if Cato had an ETO in his deal (don't know if he does), it couldn't be used for 4 more years.

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Um, I don't think so. Cause at ESPN, they said Wizard would have better chance at free agency, so that means they just cleared the cap space.

What Richmond actually had was an early termination option (ETO) clause in his contract. The terms must be written into the contract, but the buy out amount cannot exceed 50% of the remaining value of the players contract.

So, in Richmond's case, he was still owed $20M over the next 2 years. Washington had the option to buy him out for $10M and will take a $5M cap hit the next two years. That's still a cap savings of $5M a year over what they would have owed Richmond.

Cato's contract is recent isn't it, so Houston should be allowed to do that. So if we had a rich as hell org./owner (Cuban) then we can buy out Cato too?

Nope. Early termination options can not be for anything earlier than the 5th year of a contract. So, even if Cato had an ETO in his deal (don't know if he does), it couldn't be used for 4 more years.

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Just bring Bullard off the bench as a power forward. Give him 5 minutes per game. He is capable of hitting big threes when necessary.

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"I want to be like Olajon." -Sagana Diop has the right idea...

 

Bullard stays, Walt is out. Bull is cheaper and brings basically the same things to the table. Walt has better market value and can be traded fairly easily without having to worry about buying him out.

The only way we get rid of Cato is to trade him, pure and simple. July 18th will bring us all some good news!

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<A HREF="http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

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</A> "You try to improve and do better. It's a journey, not just the destination." - Hakeem Olajuwon

 

If we could package Cato and Langhi for a decent Center this lineup would rule.

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Go Rockets!!!
SS

 

I realize that there are a lot of players and quite a log jam, but that suggests one of two things:

1. There are more trades to be had.
2. One or two of the Rockets current free agents won't be back.

Williams and Bullard would seem to be the odd guys out unless Cato is traded or Olajuwon and Anderson don't come back.

Here's just a guess at what the Rockets might want to do based on what I've heard.

I think they will, without question, bring Bullard back at the veteran's minimum. It is very likely that he will eventually end up within the organization in some capacity. He has been a hit as the Comets color commentator and he really enjoys the work. He is also a HUGE help to the coaching staff when it comes to working with young guys and easing tensions. Even if he is the 13th guy (darn that bad back!) on the team, I would be shocked if he wasn't on the team.

Williams is an interesting situation. He has ties to Francis and Norris (and now Morris) because of where they are all from. He has really helped the young guys to adjust to the NBA and the Rockets aren't convinced, especially with the rule changes, that the Wizard will be ineffective as a shooter. I doubt that he will be the focus of the offense or even a key member of the rotation, but he has valuable veteran leadership skills and the players (and coaches) love the guy.

I still think there must be a trade out there with the Rockets name on it that allows them to move a contract or two to free up some space. If Anderson returns (and that is looking more likely) as does Dream, it is very likely some hard choices will have to be made.

In all honestly, it's a good problem to have, but there's no reason to think that it won't be resolved via a trade or some other means by the time training camp opens. With all the trades that have been flying around the NBA this summer, it would be no surprise to see the Rockets in the middle of something besides the Griffin deal.

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How the hell should I know why God would allow the Holocaust. I don't even know how the electric can opener works. - from Hannah and Her Sisters

 

Actually MATT BULLARD has more trade value then Walt. He's cheaper, and a tad more versatile. Bullard is a pure shooting big man, who can play SF and PF. That will be HUGE on the market with the zone coming in. Bullard is also better prepared, and more used to coming off the bench then Walt Williams is.

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"Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura

 

TRG,
Please tell me you have inside info. on Cato going elsewhere? Maybe to Chicago with Collier (or Williams/KT) for Curry.

Maybe a sign and trade by Golden State for Jackson.

Is it something else...just as long as Cato is gone?

You seemed to express veiled knowledge of pending greatness.

Do not get my hopes up unless something substantial is coming our way.

ROCKET!!!

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Millenium--we can't trade Bullard. He's a free agent. But Bull has already publicly said that he wants to stay in Houston, and we should be able to keep him for the veteran minimum ($1 mil).

Also, if the Rockets do not make any deals involving their 3s (although I think they will), I could POSSIBLY see the small forward rotation looking something like this (many won't be happy with it):

FIRST, the Rockets start out the year with Walt starting. Griffin comes off the bench as he learns the NBA game. Bullard plays backup PF. Morris and Langhi languish outside the rotation. Against a zone, Walt gives us the best outside scoring option on offense. Plus, Griffin is only 19 and will need time to develop into a great player (remember, while Francis had an immediate impact, he was 2-3 years older).

THEN, halfway through the year, the Rockets could trade Walt. At that time, his trade value will be great, considering that his big salary comes off the books at the end of the year. Many teams seeking salary cap flexibility will covet Walt at the trading deadline. If Walt is traded, a more well-prepared Eddie Griffin takes over the reigns at SF, with Morris and Langhi (also more prepared from practices) duke it out for the backup spot.

Bullard will continue to provide Rudy with a different look at the PF position (remember, Bull STARTED at PF while Taylor was out for awhile, even when we had Kenny available). Bull's size and 3-pt shooting provides great mismatches and draws other big men away from the basket. If a team plays a zone, Bull can get his shot up over a small player at the top of the key.

That is just a possible scenario. While it may not seem all that appealing, if you think about it, it is a move that reaks of Rudy T. And, more importantly, it actually makes sense. While Walt would be missed in the locker room, he will no longer be missed on the floor after half a season of learning for our trio of young 3s (Griffin, Morris, Langhi). I actually would feel safer with a veteran 3 playing early in the year in order to give these kids time to learn. Just my opinion, though.

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Don't the Rockets have an option for Langhi's contract. If they do, I would expect them NOT pick it up. While he may have some potential, there's just no reason for the Rockets to keep him at this point. I'd love it if we could trade him for some kind of Center (anyone would do).

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Subtomic- the Rockets have publicly said they picked up Langhi's option. He is a piece of the franchise's future.

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Stevierebel

[This message has been edited by Stevierebel (edited July 01, 2001).]

 

That would be great if Cato is gone

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