Rockets standing pat

JordansBulls · Post #1 » by **JordansBulls** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:43 pm

http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2009/06/rock ... _tink.html

Good to see they are going to give it one more run.

There was a snippet that the Rockets are shopping Tracy McGrady this week. The wording of that, however, is laughable. That's like saying the producers of Law and Order are hoping to convince someone to put reruns of the show on cable television somewhere.

The Rockets are not shopping McGrady; they are picking up the phone when it rings, and it rarely stops ringing. (Teams always say that, but in this unusual case, because of McGrady's contract and the financial climate, it happens to be true.)

Morey would not say much on the topic.

"We're not seeking to trade Tracy," he said. "I've got to look at everything. That's my job."

Teckon · Post #2 » by **Teckon** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:04 pm

You miss out the most interesting part of the article:

"McGrady's contract is huge ($22.5 million next season) and then it expires. Until he plays, insurance can take care of the cost through sometime next February. And teams all know this."
Tmac's contract is now evenly more valuable to teams that are dumping salaries. If Tmac only play half a season, half of his salary ard $11 million will be paid by the insurance!! Those cost cutting teams will want Tmac!

moofs · Post #3 » by **moofs** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:11 pm

JB, that's not even what the article said. The Rockets are NOT looking to stand pat, they just aren't forcing the issue. Forcing it removes your negotiating leverage. Thankfully, teams are coming to us, so we can pick the best deals when/if they arrive.

PocketRockets · Post #4 » by **PocketRockets** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:18 pm

I guess you could word it like that.....I can't disagree, but the article only means we're not being "proactive." If someone offered something we like for Tmac, there's not doubt it would happen and we definitely wouldn't be "standing pat." Love him or hate him, Tmac is very valuable this year to the Rockets. =)

July 1 right? When you can sign free agents? I don't think Ron will be signed anytime soon after that, but at least we'll start having a better picture of whether he stays here or not. Then the real ball can start rolling with minor upgrades.

College Boy · Post #5 » by **College Boy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:32 pm

Agreed. I don't think Artest is going to do anything until we have a clearer picture on the McGrady situation. I've been saying from the beginning of this fiasco that we need to keep McGrady on. Even if he can't contribute then he's 23 million coming off the books for the 2010 rush. We proved that we can win without him. If we can push the NBA Champs to 7 games (partly without Yao too) without him, then we can handle half of a season. Either way you see it, we're in a great position with this team right now. We're in no rush to make a desperation trade. But if Morey's smart he'll trade McGrady to Grizz for Hakim Warrick straight-up, and then we can build around him!

PocketRockets · Post #6 » by **PocketRockets** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:26 pm

Warrick? WTF He's good and all but I'm sure we could get much better. We need a decent 2/5. I don't see Hakim playing the 5 for extended periods of time (when Yao is injured). Only thing is hopefully a trade like that will open up salary space.

I would love for Morey to dump salary and make a run at Hedo. We wouldn't have to resign artest b/c hedo has shown he can somewhat guard kobe for short stints and I think Shane has proven he can do so. We would have a closer in Hedo (less of a loss for trading tmac) and even if we give him 13M/year, it's still a big drop from tmac's contract and not much more than what Artest would want. That's assuming Artest wants about 11M a year (although, i'm sure he wants more or thinks he's worth more).

PocketRockets · Post #7 » by **PocketRockets** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:44 pm

Also, think of the Marketing value. Htown has already become a hot pot of cultures and having a Turk, Chinaman, Argentinian together? Get'er done Morey.

tisbee · Post #8 » by **tisbee** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:11 am

CollegeBoy,
I think it's the other way around. Until the team knows if they're resigning Ron they won't do more than listen to offers on McGrady. If they trade McGrady first,you have to figure Ron asks for more.

PocketRockets,
The Rockets are over the cap,so all they have to offer other FAs is the MLE. Turkoglu is opting out of over $7mil,he wants more,not less.

College Boy · Post #9 » by **College Boy** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:19 am

PocketRockets wrote:Warrick? WTF

It was a joke. Maybe I should have lol'ed it or something.

PocketRockets · Post #10 » by **PocketRockets** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:45 am

tisbee wrote:CollegeBoy,
I think it's the other way around. Until the team knows if they're resigning Ron they won't do more than listen to offers on McGrady. If they trade McGrady first,you have to figure Ron asks for more.

PocketRockets,
The Rockets are over the cap,so all they have to offer other FAs is the MLE. Turkoglu is opting out of over $7mil,he wants more,not less.

I know, but if we trade tmac and shed some salary. We could get Turk who would do the same as Tmac + Artest (only slightly worse). Hedo can close games and can defend the other team's best player at times.

tisbee · Post #11 » by **tisbee** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:39 am

Couple more reasons Morey is listening to calls.
Builds relationships. The more two GMs talk the more comfortable they get and that makes making a deal easier.
Finding out what other teams are willing to trade. Perhaps a player they were willing to package for McGrady can be obtained for something else.
Once they start talking Morey can then inquire about other players.