Celtics - Rockets trade

[AsijsLV]

Rasheed Wallace to Houston in exchange for Shane Battier:
Battier's salary for 2010-2011 season: $7.35 million
Years remaining on current contract: 1

Why this works for Boston: Battier gives the C's a veteran presence who can defend small forwards at a comparable level to the departed Tony Allen (signed with Memphis earlier this month); is in the last year of his contract which means the C's won't have to make a long-term commitment which is consistent with the Celtics' approach to offseason additions this summer; one of the more respected players in the league, would be a good fit inside the C's locker room.

Why this works for Houston: With the Rockets inching close to the luxury tax threshold following a brisk offseason, trading Battier for Wallace would save them at least $1 million in salary; Houston has Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza and Chase Budinger in the fold, creating what appears to be a logjam of sorts at the small forward position when you throw Battier in the mix.

[Mr. E]

I just replied to this on the trade board. Whoever wrote this article needs to invest in a fact-checker.

[TMU]

So the Rockets take Wallace and give up Battier to save $1m?

[Mr. E]

So the Rockets take Wallace and give up Battier to save $1m?

Yes. To "avoid" going into the luxury tax.

Also, apparently our starting SG and his primary backup contribute towards a "glut" at SF!

[Alex_De_Large]

horrible trade, plus wallace is about to retire and has 49494 years

[HTown_TMac]

lol

[dropshot001]

So the Rockets take Wallace and give up Battier to save $1m?

pretty silly to dump a good player just to do this

[Optimism Prime]

I'm with all the Rockets fans laughing at this deal.

Minnesota has a logjam.

Houston has depth.

No way, no how, will Morey take on Wallace for Battier. Do your research.

[MaxRider]

wtf?
we save more money by sending jeffries+3m cash+future 2nd round pick to new jersey for trade exception

[Celts17Pride]

So the Rockets take Wallace and give up Battier to save $1m?

Not saying it's a good deal or bad deal but if the Celtics traded Wallace and a 1st rounder to the Rockets for Battier the Rockets would save more than $1.0 million. Rasheed Wallace would voluntarily retire thus his salary cap money comes off the Rockets payroll.

The Rockets savings would be double Battier salary of $7.3 million because the Rockets are way over the luxury tax. So Houston get $14.5 million in savings and a 1st rounder for Battier. This is what the OP was trying to say.

Houston payroll is about $78 million + $8 million luxury tax = $86 million, after this trade the Rockets payroll would be roughly $71.5 million, about $14.5 million savings.

Personally, I don't see it happening.

[rocketsballin]

if rasheed was 5 years younger i'd do it w/ some regret, but i'd also tell shane he wants a buyout and the resign w/ us for the lle

[Optimism Prime]

Luxury tax isn't a big deal for us this year.

Our owner opened his wallet to re-sign a backup PG and a 30-year old PF. Then signed a backup center.

If your only logic behind a trade to us this year is "cap relief," GTFO. We're in it to win it.

[moofs]

L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-ocked.

[Rendezvous]

[AsijsLV]

OK, and now?

How about expanding the trade?

send Sheed's contract with 3mil $+Gaffney+Lafayette + the 2011 first round pick

Houston sends Battier+David Andersen+ the right to swap picks with NY in 2011

This way, Houston could buyout Sheed for 2 million, and Sheed would be able to unretire a la PJ Brown (highly unlikely, but...).

In trading Battier and Andersen, Houston saves 9,8 million + one million sent by the Cs after buying Sheed out.

[Alex_De_Large]

looks like rockets fans are the only ones who actually rate battier value.

[HTown_TMac]

OK, and now?

How about expanding the trade?

send Sheed's contract with 3mil $+Gaffney+Lafayette + the 2011 first round pick

Houston sends Battier+David Andersen+ the right to swap picks with NY in 2011

This way, Houston could buyout Sheed for 2 million, and Sheed would be able to unretire a la PJ Brown (highly unlikely, but...).

In trading Battier and Andersen, Houston saves 9,8 million + one million sent by the Cs after buying Sheed out.

We are moreso looking to improve than save money.

[Mr. E]

If the first trade made no sense & flew in the opposite direction of what this franchise is doing then why on Earth would you come back with a Counter offer that goes farther in that direction???

[Sasaki]

OK, and now?

How about expanding the trade?

send Sheed's contract with 3mil $+Gaffney+Lafayette + the 2011 first round pick

Houston sends Battier+David Andersen+ the right to swap picks with NY in 2011

This way, Houston could buyout Sheed for 2 million, and Sheed would be able to unretire a la PJ Brown (highly unlikely, but...).

In trading Battier and Andersen, Houston saves 9,8 million + one million sent by the Cs after buying Sheed out.

The Rockets, as we are, have zero interest in draft picks, role players, or cap relief. We have a crapton of the first two, and we're deeply in lux tax anyways. We're after stars at this point.

[wickerhd]

The Rockets, as we are, have zero interest in draft picks, role players, or cap relief. We have a crapton of the first two, and we're deeply in lux tax anyways. We're after stars at this point.

Deep breath. This was idle speculation from a writer. However, I wouldn't write it off so quickly. I understand that you're looking for stars, but that's not likely to happen with you guys being so far over the cap. you could peddle the expiring contracts of Jefferies and Battier at the trade deadline for a rent-a-player but it wouldn't be a real star.

You do have lots of role players, and Battier is becoming one of them. The writer assumes his minutes will drop significantly with Kev Martin, Scola, and Ariza as starters. The Houston organization has to decide whether Its worth paing the Luxury tax for him (essentially $14 million for a backup swing man). Houston also recognizes they're going to have to make a new max offer to keep Yao and that is their priority. Even the deep pocket guys like Paul Allen worry about the luxury tax, so I don't think you can just ignore it.

Working against the trade, is the fact that Boston is also over the luxury tax, and that just by letting Rasheed retire, they can drop their payroll to around $67 million.

The real question is whether either team values Shane as a $15 million player.