Would you trade Hakeem for Shareef AND Big Country?

i agree

pushing Pippen69 down

 

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.

We've been spoiled by the Drexler/Barkley/Pippen/Francis stuff that we just assume that we'll be Webber's top choice.

While this trade would take away any chance at getting Webber, we wouldn't necessarily lose Taylor (probably would though), I'm pretty sure Anderson would stay (what's one more year), and as much as I love Moochie, we could find another backup PG.

Having a Francis/Mobley/SAR cornerstone is better than we could have ever asked for, even if we get stuck with Reeves' contract.

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aelliot is right. How are Shandon and Moochie risked at all by acquiring SAR? Would you rather go over the cap, and maintain the team you saw play last night vs. take the once chance to go over the cap w/ SAR + Reeves + maybe OH and maintain SA and Moochie.

The time is now. Otherwise, enjoy Mo getting 2 fouls at the 8 minute mark all while he's taking up the cap.

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We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.

 

When we first started discussing this trade, I was for it until I gave it a closer look and witnessed the potential of the Francis-Mobley-Anderson lineup. The easy trap to fall into is the "The Rockets have very little chance at Webber so why not get Reef?" First off, getting Rahim is not the equivalent of getting Webber. The type of player this team really lacks is one that is a strong interior defender, can bang with the big PFs and provide a rough and rugged force inside. The Rockets do not address this need with this trade. Rahim is a very good offensive player and rebounder so it is very easy to fall into that trap and feel that he is the answer. However, the problem is that Rahim was never a banger and could not go toe to toe against the big power players in this conference. Thus, he had to be converted into a SF. He has developed a nice 20 ft shot over the course of his career but still is not good at guarding either 3s or 4s. Rahim is a mediocre defensive player at best.

I was skeptical of starting Francis, Mobley, Anderson until I saw it in action. This lineup has already done wonders for Mobley's game and is starting to really click. As Heypartner was saying would be the case, this has enabled Mobley to play more off the ball and the Rockets to rely less on 2 Shakes. Anderson is able to find his niche in the offense with driving lanes opening up, and the team as a whole is playing much better.

I feel this can work long term, but the Rockets need a rough and rugged player on the frontline to cover up for three guards. I was hoping for one of these two possible scenarios in a Hakeem trade:

1. The Rockets deal Olajuwon to Dallas for Bradley, Laettner and one of the rookie bangers, Etan Thomas or Donnell Harvey. This way, the Rockets still maintain their cap flexibility and add a needed piece to the frontcourt.

2. The Rockets broker a deal between Chicago and Vancouver where the Bulls get Rahim/Reeves, and the Rockets release their obligation on the Bulls pick and end up with a young forward like Swift or Fizer.

In either of these scenarios, the Rockets add a young talent and dont lose their caproom.

Ideally, I would like the Rockets to trade Walt Williams for a FA to be, creating more cap room for this summer. Lets suppose Chris Webber does not sign with the Rockets this summer, there are still other options. They could make a play for Antonio Davis or Marc Jackson to add the banger they need on the frontline. When making these types of trades, you have to avoid taking on 20-25 mil for one player that your not even sure will address your needs. I would much rather spend 7 mil on Davis than commit over 20 mil to Rahim and Reeves.

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Sam,

Yes, Webber would bring us to the max i.e. we would not be able to sign any other free agents. However, the difference between Webber and SAR in terms of cap space is that the trade would have us $10 million or so above the salary cap. This absolutely handcuffs our abaility to tinker with our line-up or unload salary through minor trades.

For example, with Webber on board we might be able to pull off trades that unload Rogers or perhaps Walt Williams (just an example here). This would give us space to sign other players. With SAR, it would not make a difference.

Assuming that Shandon opts with the current contract, we would probably sign him to a deal similar to Mobley's (probably less). Other than that, we still have a while to take care of our other players e.g. Thomas, Francis, and Norris.

Cap space is so important with a team like ours right now. We're in a very delicate situation in which we have to figure out what combination would give us the best line-up and most flexibility. Obviously I would rather have SAR than cap space, because he's worth it. However, it will not give us room to make any additions for a long time. We would be literally stuck with our current crop (without Mo Taylor).

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Nederland 2002

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MManal,

Agreed. As I said in my first posts in this thread, we need a presence in the paint. Shareef is an excellent player, but not the one that would complement our guards. We need a banger, a rebounder, a tough guy who will keep opponents honest.

I would take any of trade you mentioned over any Reeves/SAR package. It's not worth, IMO. We need to address our needs, not just get another big name because "we might not get one in the future." Yes, we have been spoiled. Yes, we might not get Chris Webber. I recognize that. But, SAR will not solve out problems. He's a great young player who would help any team, but will he take us to the upper echelon of the NBA?

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Nederland 2002

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Ace, if you sign Mo and Shandon, you're stuck with your current crop for 2 or 3 years. Mo isn't even guaranteed to stay.

Shandon isn't even guaranteed to stay.

What if they both leave? Are you going to watch next year's team and say 'gee, that cheap team on the floor sure looks good!'.

You can keep Shandon in any event (sorry i keep echoing this ). Go over the cap now (or pull off one of those cool facilitation fee trades that M&M pointed out). Don't just waive Dream.

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We're going to stay together until something happens, if something happens. - Sidney Lowe on Shareef's career in Vancouver.

 

First of all, I'm seriously thinking that Shandon Anderson will stay with this team under his current contract for one more year.

Second, why wouldn't Mo stay? He hasn't shown to be the player that will command a huge salary, and I don't see any other team offering more than we can. I expect that if anyone signs him it will be in the neighborhood or around $7-8 million per season.

That would leave us with around $4-6 million to sign another free agent. Shandon would wait till next offseason when he would be able to sign for a contract similar to Cuttino Mobley's. With Walt and Rogers gone, we would probably be around the maximum of the cap (including rookies, other minors signings, etc.).

If they both leave, we will have TONS of cap space available to go after people like Antonio Davis or Marc Jackson from GS.

I don't want to waive Dream. I want to keep him till season's end. I want him to retire a Rocket, I seriously still want that. If he decides to play with another team, then so be it. We'll have all that we need...cap space. We're not letting him go for nothing even if we do waive him or let him go after season's end.

Again, I would do any deal that MManal mentioned (contract expiring, young players).

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Nederland 2002

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[This message has been edited by Ace (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

Sorry. Double post.

[This message has been edited by Ace (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

I think I will have to side with those who would do the trade, but it's close.......like 51% to 49%.

Those against the trade are making a lot of assumptions.

A) That we will get Webber.

B) That even if we don't get Webber, we can convince Mo. Taylor to stay. It seems like no one wanted him here until about two or three weeks ago.

C) That Shandon will stay, even though I'm pretty sure this one will happen.

Now I ask, what good is cap space when all the free agents suck? Besides Webber, what other free agent out there makes you drool?

I know Big Country will kill the cap, but dosen't a trio with Reef, Stevie and Mobley sound great? I would rather take a chance with that lineup than put all my balls in the Webber basket. Remember, if we don't land Webber, Shandon and Taylor can still bolt, and we will really look like asses.

I don't think our team will resemble the Suns if we make this trade. You don't think the Suns would add two high-priced centers like Cato and Big Country to their current team now, especially knowing that you have to go through Shaq, Duncan and Portland every year? At least the trio will guarentee us a playoff spot, and the two big boys (if healthy) could help us contend with the rest of the Western teams in the playoffs. Big Country is not that bad.

What does a quality big man command in today's market anyway? I know Miller got a nice deal with Chicago.

Besides, no one has considered what Reef is worth in a trade if the whole experiment didn't work out.

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