Carl Landry

[atl_fan]

Houston isn't showing him much love and we could use a solid backup power forward. He played way above expectations last year and I think he, along with Evans, Morris, and Claxton, could easily make up for the loss of Childress.

The only problem is money, I think we have about 3 mil left of the MLE, the question iss whether that would be enough to keep the Rockets from matching or to keep Landry from going overseas.

[gurpilo]

With Smith and Horford been able to play PF I think it would be best to invest that money on a defensive center as Magloire or a backup SF and also a shooter as Bonzi Wells, Micheal Finley or whoever we can sign. Anyway I would think the Rockets would match.

[evildallas]

I think the 3M would likely get matched. but it is hard to say with luxury tax in play. I would question the love comment though. The word I heard was that Houston would pay him handsomely after he verifies his shoulder is okay with an MRI. Landry is refusing to get the shoulder checked, but says its okay. If it is okay, you'd think he'd get the MRI and get paid.

[atl_fan]

I wasn't aware of that, all I've seen was Landry questioning the amount of money offered by the Rockets, I think he called the offer "disturbing".

[evildallas]

Hmmm, I hadn't seen that. Hard to get the straight story in the media this time of year. I do agree he'd be a real solid addition to the team. If there is room under the luxury tax to make an offer we could do worse (provided he's healthy). Bulk on the front line is one of the areas of need. Sure they probably match, but you never know.

I wouldn't expect it to happen though.

[tisbee]

Rocket fan here and here's my take on Landry.

Landry's problem is with his knee,second time in 3 yrs. He is a energy player who hustles,goes for the ball and can ignite a crowd. He cannot create his own shot-he has to be set-up. He worked very well w/McGrady and prob could do the same w/Joe.
I seriously question if the Rockets will match an offer of $3mil plus. Once they sign Motumbo and Dorsey they will be just either side of Lux Tax which owner doesn't want to pay until he's sure McGrady and Yao will be healthy enough to get team into Playoffs.
Complicating the Landry situation is he has an agent who has no other NBA clients and who seems out of his league.

The problem for the Rockets is this yr most FA PFs have been getting @$4mil/yr. But Landry will not start and the prob Rockets starter(Scola) is getting a little over $3mil this yr. Couple of yrs ago Chuck Hayes-who had a nice season like Landry-got roughly $2mil w/incentives. Throw in Dorsey,a second rd PF like Landry,and his agent are watching what happens very intently. If the team signs Landry for $4-5mil,Dorsey is going to want the same and in 2010 Scola is going to want more and the Rockets will have $15mil tied up in PFs,none of whom would be considered more than average.
Factor in Artest getting minutes at the 4,Dorsey being counted on to provide D and rebounding at the 4 and 5 and the minutes are shrinking for Landry. A subtle shot was delivered by Rocket head scout who in an interview stated bottom of second rd pick Maarty Leunen had impressed coaches at Summer League to the point they think he could give spot minutes at the 4 this yr.

Just my opinion but I truly believe Houston GM is hoping Landry gets an offer by somebody w/cap room so he can do a sign-n-trade and get a nice little Trade Exception to use this Feb or next July. Morey woud really love to find somebody w/a back-up PG that he could unload Francis along w/Landry. But offers over $3mil,the team wil hesitate to match and over $4mi,they'll wish him well.
Francis makes some $2.6mil this yr,so any offer the Rockets make to Landry will be for less than that as they hope they can unload Francis on some team w/cap room(along w/the cash to buy him out and a second.)

[Rod700]

I love Landry as a player, and would love to have him for that roughly 3 mil a year . . . except that I agree that a defensive center with some size is a bigger need for us. Landry would be my contingency plan if I couldn't come up with one.

[killbuckner]

Since the alternative is probably lo wright then hell yes I would want the Hawks to sign him.

[Rod700]

^^^I wouldn't mind bringing back Mutumbo for one year for some limited minutes of the bench to fill that need for a big defensive center. Talk on realgm boards said he wouldn't return to Houston for the minimum. Maybe we could offer part of what we have left in the MLE. He'd be a temporary fix until we get more cap room next year.

[tisbee]

Motumbo had to be talked into playing another yr by his family. He really likes the Houston area and won't move his family for 1 yr. What they're really doing is negotiating how much the Rockets will "donate" to Motumbo's hospital,perhaps in his official retirement ceremony.(And if you think Stern and Co. are going to reprimand the Rockets for this,you haven't watched enough NBA Cares ads.)

Motumbo can no longer give major minutes except once every 3-4 games.(And by major I mean 15-20 minutes.) He is noticeably slower and more earth-bound when playing a game after playing in the previous one.

[Rod700]

^^^Well I hate that it sounds like we won't get him. Even with being slower, and playing less minutes, his rebounds and blocks were still impressive and I would have liked to have had him for cheap, just to bring him off the bench against the better teams in the league. I love that we get to see him in the league one more year though. He's so determined in his desire to contribute to his team and still manages to make an impact despite his age. He's truly a class act too with all that he does through his foundation. I also applaud the Rockets for the crafty move of donating to that charity in order to retain the big man for one more year.