Thank you Teckon for explaining what I thought was plain.
ShaqSux,
I also think Scola is prob getting @ $7-7.5mil and Lowry @ $3mil.
Assuming there isn't a trade before the season ends,the Rockets look to have 5 options:
1)Renounce all their FAs and after cap holds have,depending on cap,some $9-12mil for FAs.(W/only 8 players under contract,and a First Rd pick.) Not very likely as team would have to make up roster w/rookie mins and vet mins. No depth at all. Same reason why a Battier(or whoever) for expiring doesn't do anything. Yeah team has enough to sign a max FA,but no money left to fill roster.
2)Don't renounce Scola,Lowry and Hayes and don't sign them/pick up option that first day or so of FA. Their salary cap holds put the Rockets over most likely cap numbers. Team now has the MLE to sign a FA.(Looking at 2010 FA's,I can easily see Mike Miller as the target. He can start or is comfortable coming off bench and would fit perfectly in Adelman's system.) They would also have the Bi-Annual Exception available again.(D.J. Mbenga of the Lakers said a month or so ago the Rockets were interested in him. The Bi-Annual would prob price him out of Lakers and it's only a two-yr deal. Just a thought.)
Add a First and that's @$62mil in salary and 14 players.
3)Stand pat-internal growth. Bring back Scola,Lowry,Hayes. Let T-Mac walk. Figure Yao's return and the growth of young players is going to be enough to be a team fighting for home-court advantage. Hunker down financially in case the economy is still struggling.
4)Same as 3 except bring back McGrady on a short-term contract(perhaps $10mil yr base,another $2mil in games played incentives,2 yrs guaranteed,third yr not). Give it McGrady/Yao one last ride w/an excellent supporting cast.(Altho I rather doubt this one,it's remotely possible.
5)Morey pulls a miracle out of his...hat
