Besides that, you would essentially be renting Lee and Lopez for a year because they'll both be playing on the ends of their contracts. Meaning, you could lose both the very next year ala Artest.
I'm actually concerned about what we are going to do with Yao. I mean, it's nice and all to develop possible all stars in Ariza, Brooks, and Scola but what difference will it make if Yao comes back and we revert them to being role players that we yell at if they're not getting the ball to Yao? And that's our only worry IF Yao comes back and can stay healthy. If Yao comes back next season and looks terrible or worse, gets injured again, then he WILL retire and we will get nothing in return for him. Even if he plays well and stays healthy next season, he will need to be resigned then. Do we give him a max contract? Again, I'm just concerned. Morey has had the luxury of making easy decisions so far. I hope he knows what to do when the big decisions and risks need to be made.
Reading is fundamental. I said "A team like the Knicks" NOT necessarily the Knicks. A bottom feeder team looking to get a potential star like Yao Ming. The Nets fall into this catergory too.
I'm not a Yao Hater. I voted no on my own poll. I was just curious what my fellow Rockets fans thought. Do they want to get rid of Yao for cap space and a number 1 draft pick since the 2010 free agent market is supposed to be so great. I'm pleased most fans see that Yao is worth a lot more than cap space and a 1st round pick.
I would do this if we were DEFINITELY lottery bound and the Knicks pick was a top 5 pick. Let's say we had 2 of the top 5 picks in next years draft and then signed a top free agent. Those three pieces along with a core of Brooks, Ariza, Scola, Battier, Landry, Lowry, Anderson, and Buddinger would be awesome.
Yao is a very rare basketball player nowadays. We should start from this stipulation. Every player in the NBA is one injury or freak accident from being useless so it is a gamble for a team everytime they sign up these high priced players. If my memory serves me right, most of Yao's injuries were accidents, including the infected toe which he could have addressed early on if he did not try to be a hero. Without him the Rockets will not go anywhere for the foreseeable future. Not one of the much hyped 2010 free agents will be able to carry the Rockets to a championship in the next few years.
I would only trade Yao for another Big Man of his caliber or near him. Both offensive and defensive level. (this means No Stoudemire)
You don't trade Yao, unless you get someone worth at least 20-10, with a GREAT attitude, back. Yao is one of the best centers the Rockets have ever had in their franchise, and you want to start anew with...who? A single superstar to be had by Yao's contract? No can do.
