We would just be another team in the Melo sweepstakes and Durant is a restricted FA and going nowhere in 2011. Also Melo has a player option for 2011/2012 for over $18M. I am pretty sure he is going to exercise that option.
I would love Durant as well and he is one of the most entertaining players in the league to boot. Here is a good link for NBA team salary situations: This is the Houston one and you can change the teams on the page http://hoopshype.com/salaries/houston.htm
The numbers dont work for this deal I can see something like this happening though http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzd73ey Rockets get Caron Butler Al Harrington Wizards get Cutino Mobley Knicks get TMac I like this trade even better if the Rockets can put there first round pick in there and come out with one of the other teams #1 picks. Then we wont have to tank the season.
Cat Mobley cannot be included in a trade until the League rules on the injury exception that the New York Knicks applied for. His contract is valuable because it is heavily paid for by insurance, so a team that acquires him can immediately save money opposed to having to wait until next year. per chris sheridan of ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TradeAssets-100210 "This insurance-covered contract would have been higher on this list if not for the following: The New York Knicks have applied for salary cap relief (which would cut their luxury tax bill by $9.5 million), and Mobley (who retired because of a heart condition) cannot be dealt until the Knicks get a ruling on their cap relief petition -- and New York is frustrated at receiving no indication from the league office on when that ruling might come. "
If Houston did want to trade for A'mare, which i am not advocating, than this is a fair deal for all parties involved. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine 1) Houston gets a top-10 talent. They can only hope Iguodala turns top-10, and if he doesn't his contract will become hard to move like Richard Jefferson for the Spurs. Butler might not even be a top-10 talent at his position, and considering his age, he's only got a few more peak years left. In any case, Butler and Iguodala are just the first of a few seperate moves necesaary to make Houston a contender, while A'mare might take them there himself. 2) Houston gets under the luxury tax with this trade, and some of the league dividends for being under the threshold along with New York sending over some cash considerations, could help offset Jeffries' salary. And in the best case scenario, Jeffires might be able to contribute defensively due to his versatilty. 3) Houston gets a prospect at Point Guard in Douglas. This coupled with Lowrys recent propensity to get hurt (durabilty issues), and his restricted free agent status should help Morey negotiate a very reasonable contract in the offseason for Lowry. 4) Houston was willing to acqure Bosh without assurance of a contract extension, so i don't know if that would be a deal killer with Stoudemire. 5) New York sheds Jeffries contract which allows them to acquire two-max free agents, or one-max free agent and resign david lee. The price for shedding Jeffries is Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas. 6) Phoenix acquires Harrington, who thrived under D'antoni, which means he'll probably play even better in the same offense with Steve Nash. Phoenix also gets Robinson, which can reduce Nash's minutes, and also allows them to have a better small-ball lineup if they choose. They also get a prospect big man in Jordan Hill. Harrington and Robinson are also expiring contracts so this would appeal to owner Robert Sarver. Throw in some draft picks and other small assets and this could have a chance.
Does not make this trade impossible, Just shows why Washington would want him. If no ruling is made, Eddy Curry's salary also fits.
Haha you can only take things for what they're worth. I know many people don't like Justice and call him a flopper and that the Chron never breaks any news but ehh for some reason, I don't get that from listening on the radio when he's on, but he said this morning that he's not really on their radar. Also, though not today, I think it was also Justice who says they don't think he is a max player and they don't like how he plays only one end of the floor. And from that ESPN piece yesterday talking about the 5 or 6 places or destinations for McGrady, they mentioned Phoenix saying they're a wildcard in any and all [3 team] trades for McGrady because they could help facilitate something where each gets what they want. My thinking is something such as Stoudemire to team X, McGrady to team Y and team X and/or Y sending pieces back to Houston. Well if Houston had any interest in him, wouldn't they just try a 1-1 trade between Phoenix and Houston with McGrady and Stoudemire being the main pieces, with fillers as needed? Safe to say, I don't think Stoudemire will end up coming here anytime soon.
Look, i never said it was "100%" accurate. It's pretty hard to believe that they aren't talking, considering we are trying to move McGrady, Washington wants to deal, we were interested in Butler last year, etc.
While I don't like to give any credit to another board or especially a Yahoo rumor, Morey said this morning on 610 that some of the team names being mentioned out there are accurate, there are other teams being talked to, but, the players involved are not accurate. It did not take a Rocket scientist to figure out these three teams should be talking based on their situations, the only accurate name involved is TMAC's. We can all continue to guess who the rest of the players are, but, Moreys says nothing is happening until next week despite our best wishes. It is going to be a long 7 days. My only point is don't get too attached to the names being bantered around.
I'm not attached to the names, but can assure you the 2 big names being talked about are McGrady and Butler
Interesting. Probably can't agree on the pieces. Guess it's "good" news to me. Butler is nice but nothing special IMO.
ESPN just reported the rumors Currently look like so: Wizards Get: Al Harrington New York Gets: Tracy McGrady Rockets Get: Caron Butler Brandon Haywood Another Player (Listed was Hughes, Jefferies, Curry) DM.[/QUOTE] I almost like the 2nd deal better, because we give Mobley last send off and essentially trade the great Brian COok for Andray Blatche.
