Lot of cap space this summer, so in theory, it's possible -- though there are also going to be a lot of teams hoping to dump salaries. But the other part of it, of course, is being cut-throat enough to move Parker to a bad team in the first place. Either way, IMO, that is the news to watch. Gasol taking a bit of a paycut helps, in the sense that every little bit does, but it doesn't appreciably change their outlook if they intend on re-signing him. (Now, if Gasol were somehow willing to be renounced and re-sign for the Room Exception, that would change things, but I'm assuming this is a slight decrease in annual pay for sake of longevity.) The thing to watch with the Spurs is Tony Parker. If rumors start up with him, that's when things get serious.
This isn't an insult @The Cat so don't take it that way please... I'm amazed at how hope always springs eternal with you man. Every year, every summer specifically, you can always see a light at the end of the tunnel where the Rockets come out smelling like roses. How do you not get defeated lol?
Well...to be fair...it's pretty refreshing to see when 90% of the posts in the offseason are reactionary doomsday posts. It's nice to see posts referring to the Rockets as, in fact, not doomed. A nice change of pace from the yearly 35 "Trade Harden!" threads. There's at least avenues for the Rockets to substantially improve, and I enjoy at least seeing them articulated.
It is refreshing, and I listen to his daily podcast. Like I said, it wasn't meant as an insult more of a statement of wonder.
Ha. It's more the opposite — because luring top FAs (or targets via trade) is so hard, my expectations are low. I do have high expectations when it comes to the mechanisms of working the salary cap, because Daryl is great at his job. But in terms of attracting or trading for top talent, you can do everything right and the odds are still against you in any one pursuit, because only one team can "win." That's what keeps me level-headed, I guess. When I get defeated and/or irrational is when I have high expectations and get let down. Such as, say, the end and aftermath of Game 5.
Hopefully Chris Paul went on vacation to some remote part of the world and didn't watch Game 6 of Spurs vs Rockets series without Kwahi Leonard playing and the apathetic half hearted effort the Rockets best player put forward LOL. Can guarantee you Paul wants a ring and his best shot is with Greg Popovich, Leonard and Aldridge IMO.
Yep, i'm also a fan of Ben's work. And i also agree with @J Sizzle while i see us a bit behind the Spurs as a top destination, i'm still fairly positive for the future cause i don't see better enviroments than us outside of San Antonio and Boston, and there're a lot of good players on the move in the next 12/24 months.
Well DeAndre's getting shopped for lottery picks. That doesn't seem like a move that a team planning to compete for a championship would make...
Right. Contracts aren't going to be a problem. Every year fans think they can rule out a powerhouse team because of salary cap issues and every year those teams solve the issues without issue. If Chris Paul wants to be in San Antonio, Pop will yawn, stretch his arms, press a button and everything will fall into place.
Normally I'd say that's absurd and has zero chance of happening but the Kings factor make it immensely likely to happen.
Stephen A Smith is "reporting" that the Knicks plan to buy out Carmelo. Dare to dream: trade for George, S&T for CP3, sign Melo. CP3 Harden George Melo Capela Lou/Nene/Wiltjer
The report is already out that he intends to sign with the Clippers. If that happens the Paul idea is over. The Clippers are working to put together a specific team that has Lebron, Paul and Melo together.