Ben Gordon? Trade Deadline 09'-- Who's the best fit?

[Rocketsterps]

Assuming we re-sign Deke, before the trade deadline, who do we need to complete the puzzle? The only tradable assets we have are the expiring contracts of Steve Francis 2.6mil; Luther Head 1.9mil; Bonzi Wells Trade Exception 2.2mil; Kirk Snyder Trade Exception $917,473; Donte Greene Trade Exception $809,300; Steve Novak Trade Exception $797,581 so we can only trade for somebody in the 7 million or less dollar range.

I believe we should go after Ben Gordon as the final piece of the puzzle. Gordon is one of the hardest working players in the entire NBA -- which fits our team character. We can use him in the backcourt w/ McGrady the same way we use Aaron Brooks in the backcourt w/ Brent Barry. Gordon is a pure 40%+ 3 point shooter, 90% ft shooter. Moreover, Gordon shoots 43%+ from the floor on average. We are virtually unbeatable in games when Rafer Alston shoots over 42% or better from the floor. Alston has shot 39% from the floor or less every year as a Rocket. Gordon has the size, strength and athleticism to defend the Deron Williams types. His problems defensively come when he has to defend shooting guards. Gordon pines to leave Chicago to become a starter and get paid. Like Artest, if it doesn't work out -- we can let him walk as a free agent.

Behind the Contract Situation with Guard Ben Gordon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQzHzWrC ... re=related

Ben Gordon highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inil-3cV ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_--5Jup ... re=related

Ben Gordon Scouting reports
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/ ... rId%3d2381

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ben-Gordon-2585/

Ben Gordon at the point discussion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-9LehfQGog

Ben Gordon Workout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJNitWGuC_M

Bowling w/ Ben Gordon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWs_seyCzYQ

[King Roosk]

Ben Gordon's shooting would be great to have on this team, but Gordon likes to be a focal point of the offense. With Yao, Artest, and Mcgrady we have a lot of guys on this team who can put up points. For now, I'm a fan of playing it out with our current roster to see just how good we are. If I was to make a trade for anyone though, it'd be a tall, mobile, athletic big to back Yao up.

[MaxRider]

you can't combine trade exception to trade for a player
it's too early to tell what we need now
wait until 2009

[jove9]

Word.

[Rocketsterps]

Ben Gordon's shooting would be great to have on this team, but Gordon likes to be a focal point of the offense. With Yao, Artest, and Mcgrady we have a lot of guys on this team who can put up points. For now, I'm a fan of playing it out with our current roster to see just how good we are. If I was to make a trade for anyone though, it'd be a tall, mobile, athletic big to back Yao up.

Good points King but they said the same thing about Artest. Like Boston's big three, I think these guys would put aside their desires to be the focal point for a championship. Ben Gordon would be the recipient of wide open three's (just like Rafer) w/ the double teams commanded by Yao/Tracy & Artest. In addition, Ben is a great "tear-drop" finisher on the drive unlike Rafer. Ben has a very high basketball IQ and he's in a contract year looking for a new home away from the Bulls -- so I don't think he'd create any chemistry problems by demanding shots. I respect your point of view though.

[Rocketsterps]

you can't combine trade exception to trade for a player
it's too early to tell what we need now
wait until 2009

Your right, however, it could be spread across two player transactions, not a single transaction. Moreover, we could pull a Keith Van Horn/ Brent Barry... sign & trade Mutumbo (and filler) to Chicago for Ben Gordon... then pick Deke up after 30 days once waived. There are ways to get er' done.

Who Has Traded Player Exceptions?
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10274

[MaxRider]

you can't combine trade exception to trade for a player
it's too early to tell what we need now
wait until 2009

Your right, however, it could be spread across two player transactions, not a single transaction. Moreover, we could pull a Keith Van Horn/ Brent Barry... sign & trade Mutumbo (and filler) to Chicago for Ben Gordon... then pick Deke up after 30 days once waived. There are ways to get er' done.

Who Has Traded Player Exceptions?
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10274

i said FOR A PLAYER

problem is we don't want to pay the luxury tax
more likely scenario is Kings missed the playoff BJax ask for buyout
we waived Wafer and sign BJax and Mutombo
Francis continue on the inactive list (we can get waiver to not count his salary against the cap)


C - YAO, Mutombo
PF - SCOLA, Landry, Hayes
SF - BATTIER, Artest
SG - MCGRADY, Barry, Head
PG - ALSTON, Brooks, Jackson
IR: Dorsey, Francis

[tisbee]

The Rockets are going to wait til they get Battier back and see where the need is.
The two obvious needs are a third string PG and a tall big who can rebound and defend.
Third string PGs are pretty easy to get,and the TE will do for that. But a roster spot will need to be opened so I expect the team to try and package Francis,Head,cash and a 09 second for some big on a team looking to cut salary. Francis and Head can bring back @$5.8mil in salary(125%+$125,000)).
So I expect Morey to pull off a couple of deals like he did last yr.(And part of those deals was clearing room below Lux Tax to sign Barry. But Yao went down and Barry reupped w/Spurs.)
Interesting pattern w/Morey. He's dogged in his pursuit of what he thinks the team needs. James/Howard trade was discussed for months before getting done. Team pursued Barry last Spring,signed him this Summer. Tried to trade for Artest earlier,was able to do so later in off-season. So talks he had this summer may lead to a trade in Feb/Mar,or talks this yr may lead to a trade next summer. Morey is playing chess,thinking of the future not just the next game.(Brooks goes down,so Morey says tough s***,somebody on the team is going to have to step up,I'm not making a panic move.)

[Rocketsterps]

you can't combine trade exception to trade for a player
it's too early to tell what we need now
wait until 2009

Your right, however, it could be spread across two player transactions, not a single transaction. Moreover, we could pull a Keith Van Horn/ Brent Barry... sign & trade Mutumbo (and filler) to Chicago for Ben Gordon... then pick Deke up after 30 days once waived. There are ways to get er' done.

Who Has Traded Player Exceptions?
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=10274

i said FOR A PLAYER

problem is we don't want to pay the luxury tax
more likely scenario is Kings missed the playoff BJax ask for buyout
we waived Wafer and sign BJax and Mutombo
Francis continue on the inactive list (we can get waiver to not count his salary against the cap)


C - YAO, Mutombo
PF - SCOLA, Landry, Hayes
SF - BATTIER, Artest
SG - MCGRADY, Barry, Head
PG - ALSTON, Brooks, Jackson
IR: Dorsey, Francis

I follow you Max. I said you are correct on the one player deal. I was listing all our tradable assets. A trade of Francis 2.6mil, Head 1.9 and Mutumbo 2mil (in a Keith Van Horn type wink and waive deal) and a draft pick for Ben Gordon (6.4mil) works. Then we sign Deke after 30 days for the vet min of 1.2. Deke then gets his money (3.2mil in total) and the Rockets stay under the luxury tax and gets both men.

[MaxRider]

Problem is Ben Gordon has a NO TRADE CLAUSE in his contract

for those that voted for him
you can kick yourself in the xxxx now

[Rocketsterps]

PROBLEM IS Ben Gordon has a NO TRADE CLAUSE in his contract

That is understood. All restricted players have that. Just like Radmonovic before he was traded etc. NO TRADE CLAUSE does not mean he can't be traded. It means Gordon would have to agree to any trade. He would lose his Bird rights once he agrees to be traded. That's a no brainer for him. Bulls youth movement and the lottery vs Rockets and Yao/Tracy/Artest and a million open shots and a championship.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... alk-081015

[MaxRider]

IMO Chicago will keep Gordon and try to trade Hinrich. They need scorers to go with Rose.

[Rocketsterps]

IMO Chicago will keep Gordon and try to trade Hinrich. They need scorers to go with Rose.

Max tell me how my ass taste. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3zYUmF-ww8

I guess you should change the subject after being WRONG about the "NO TRADE CLAUSE" situation. Kick yourself in the ass now buddy. Just jokes man But seriously...

Kirk Hinrich's production has been in deep decline for over a year and he makes 10 million this year so his contract will be much harder to move than Ben Gordon's 6.4mil (w/ great production).

Moreover, Ben will not stay with the Bulls next year so the Bulls would be wise to deal him rather than lose him for nothing. There is a reason Ben made the most likely to be traded THIS YEAR list by ESPN...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... alk-081015

[ShaY]

As long as we stay healthy I say stand pat.
Gordon is the only guy I would really want but we won't be able to re-sign him anyways.

[King Roosk]

Ben Gordon's shooting would be great to have on this team, but Gordon likes to be a focal point of the offense. With Yao, Artest, and Mcgrady we have a lot of guys on this team who can put up points. For now, I'm a fan of playing it out with our current roster to see just how good we are. If I was to make a trade for anyone though, it'd be a tall, mobile, athletic big to back Yao up.

Good points King but they said the same thing about Artest. Like Boston's big three, I think these guys would put aside their desires to be the focal point for a championship. Ben Gordon would be the recipient of wide open three's (just like Rafer) w/ the double teams commanded by Yao/Tracy & Artest. In addition, Ben is a great "tear-drop" finisher on the drive unlike Rafer. Ben has a very high basketball IQ and he's in a contract year looking for a new home away from the Bulls -- so I don't think he'd create any chemistry problems by demanding shots. I respect your point of view though.

Oh don't get me wrong, Ben Gordon's strengths would fit this team BEAUTIFULLY - we have no argument there. I just don't quite know how a "big 4" would work. Although the more I think about it, the more I could see everyone cooperating because if we added Gordon to the lineup then I don't see how we could be beat. Interesting to think about.

Terps, if Chicago wasn't willing to deal Gordon, would you take Hinrich for a good offer?

[Rocketsterps]

As long as we stay healthy I say stand pat.
Gordon is the only guy I would really want but we won't be able to re-sign him anyways.

Gordon provides extra depth that all championship teams need. What if an injury happens AFTER the trade deadline.. then were screwed. In regards to re-signing him, there is no guarantee we can re-sign Artest either -- at least we win a championship in the mean time. Do you think Boston cares now that they were unable to re-sign James Posey NO. They already have their rings...and another championship banner. All we would give up is expiring contracts of guys not in our rotation (Luther Head/Steve Francis) and a high draft pick(s).

[jove9]

Ben Gordon is not a point guard.

By the way terps, did you read the wiretap? It looks like Marbury has played his last game as a knick.

"How does my ass taste?"

[tisbee]

I see two potential problems w/Gordon.
He wanted major money and minutes a couple of yrs ago when the Bulls had their Playoff run. So I don't see him accepting a lesser role w/the Rockets.
And would he fit w/the second unit? Remember Artest is going to be the focus of the second unit when Battier returns to the starting group. Brooks will also deserve his touches because of his speed edge. That doesn't leave much for Gordon. Plus who's going to run offense? Brooks still isn't there yet and Gordon doesn't have the best PG skills.

I happen to think Gordon would have been a very nice addition pre-Artest. But w/Artest who will dominate the ball I just don't think there's enough left for another scorer,a shooter yes,but someone who needs volume shots no.

[Rocketsterps]

Ben Gordon is not a point guard.

By the way terps, did you read the wiretap? It looks like Marbury has played his last game as a knick.

"How does my ass taste?"

Funny, but like I said in our exchange J... it would be foolish for NY to waive his 20+ million dollar contract before the trade deadline. They can send him home like the bulls did Tim Thomas years ago or like Indiana is doing Jamal Tinsley now but I doubt they are dumb enough to waive that contract before trying to deal him. Word out of NY is Marburry is in great shape and will help a team like Golden State -- where he is rumored to go possibly in a deal for Al Harrington + filler.

Back to the subject, Aaron Brooks is not a point guard either. Next game notice how Barry runs the point when Aarons on the floor. We could use Ben Gordon w/ Tracy exactly like we use Aaron & Brent Barry. Tracy, Brent and Rafer are the only playmakers on this team. Ben Gordon has way better handles than Luther Head so he can be servicable when teamed w/ the likes of Tracy & Brent.

[MaxRider]

It's not just the no trade clause, it's also he's base year compensation. So it would be difficult (almost impossible) to trade when both team are over the cap.