Correction: On Delfino

By rahat huq | February 25, 2013 at 5:27 pm

At some point while writing this post, I forgot that Carlos Delfino’s contract was, rather than an expiring,  nonguaranteed next season.  My premise had been that the team would not re-sign him, opting to save future flexibility.  That’s incorrect.

As the contract becomes nonguaranteed next season, the decision isn’t even whether to re-sign Delfino.  It’s whether or not they should waive him.

It’s unlikely that the Dwight Howard and Josh Smith situations will be resolved by June 30.  While Weiner points out that several teams would have cap space by July to absorb Delfino in a trade in the event that Houston suddenly needed the space (ie: if Howard suddenly became available), that contingency seems quite risky.  My bet is that, like the move to amnesty Scola, Houston will waive Delfino, keeping their options as open as possible.  They’ll then look to replace his production from other sources, once the dust settles.

The point here is not that $3million is too much.  It’s that the Rockets will want to maintain maximum flexibility during the summer months.

 

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Total comments: Merged
  • rockets best fan says 1 day ago

    Exactly my viewpoint. He is worth every cent of his 3 million next year. Why would we let him go for nothing when he'll be such a valuable trade piece. You don't think we could get a pick from the Spurs for him, if they don't think SJax will take a severe paycut? There are lots of teams that would pay(with a 2nd/young talent) for his services. If we NEED the cap room, then decline his option. But to just get rid of him, just to get rid of him is dumb. We can get a team like the Spurs/Lakers/Blazers to give us a 2nd round pick for him if we end up getting a better backup SF, but I don't understand the people that want to let him go for nothing. His trade value is higher than it was a year ago.

    I am not saying we should let delfino go for nothing. what i'm saying is he is outta here. he will be moved via trade most likely. his contract has value to other teams who want to shead salary in addition to being a decent player for cheap. however it plays out in the end he won't be here. at the time he was signed it was more for veteren leadership and hired gun, but our needs have changed. we need a more upscale player in delfino's roll. delfino is a MLE type player. you can find at least 6-7 of these type players on the market every year. so it's not like he is irreplacable. he hads given us a good year that's true, but his value is high on the trade front. knowing morey he will cash in on that B)�like kenny rogers would say "you gotta know when to hold"em. you gotta know when to fold"em. you gotta know when to walk away. you gotta know when to run" :rolleyes:

  • phaketrash says 3 days ago

    Yeah, I'm confused. Is anyone here arguing for getting rid of Delfino for no reason? I've heard pretty much everyone say he's a steal and that we'd want to keep him, provided:

    �

    1) we needn't waive his K in order to land D12; if his $3M is what is stopping us from getting D12, then we should waive Delfino -- he's not THAT irreplaceable�

    �

    2) Morey decides to "sell high" on Delfino and packages him in a trade for say a pick or whatever -- this is more debatable, on whether it is a good deal or not, but In Morey We Trust, I suppose

  • rocketrick says 3 days ago

    Exactly my viewpoint. He is worth every cent of his 3 million next year. Why would we let him go for nothing when he'll be such a valuable trade piece. You don't think we could get a pick from the Spurs for him, if they don't think SJax will take a severe paycut? There are lots of teams that would pay(with a 2nd/young talent) for his services. If we NEED the cap room, then decline his option. But to just get rid of him, just to get rid of him is dumb. We can get a team like the Spurs/Lakers/Blazers to give us a 2nd round pick for him if we end up getting a better backup SF, but I don't understand the people that want to let him go for nothing. His trade value is higher than it was a year ago.

    TTDN, my sentiments exactly!!

  • timetodienow1234567 says 3 days ago

    Wow. What a difference 6 months makes. I remembered when he was signed, people hated it (couch Rahat cough) because he would be taking minutes from the rookie. Now he is the starting "Powerless" forward, and a debate is happening if he will stick to next year. If it means signing D12 or CP3, then yes he will be cut, if not he will probably still be around and be a decent trade chip during the summer/next trading deadline.

    Exactly my viewpoint. He is worth every cent of his 3 million next year. Why would we let him go for nothing when he'll be such a valuable trade piece. You don't think we could get a pick from the Spurs for him, if they don't think SJax will take a severe paycut? There are lots of teams that would pay(with a 2nd/young talent) for his services. If we NEED the cap room, then decline his option. But to just get rid of him, just to get rid of him is dumb. We can get a team like the Spurs/Lakers/Blazers to give us a 2nd round pick for him if we end up getting a better backup SF, but I don't understand the people that want to let him go for nothing. His trade value is higher than it was a year ago.

  • ale11 says 3 days ago

    I was one of them, Steven, and like I said in another thread, he proved me wrong. I wasn't against him because of the playing time he would be taking from the rookies (we only had Lamb at the 2 and he got traded quickly), but because I wasn't sure about his role, I thought we wouldn't be providing any true leadership (he hasn't accomplished anything in the NBA apart from sticking in the league for that long, and even though he is a gold medal for Argentina, he comes from the bench there, so he is a role player who really wasn't fitting the "youth movement"), but given our current system, a good outside shooter comes more than handy to us and he has made important baskets for us, and some pretty hot streaks to assure blowouts in our favour.

    �

    There's nothing wrong with having an opinion, nothing wrong in being wrong either as long as one adknowledges his mistake.

  • Steven says 3 days ago Wow. What a difference 6 months makes. I remembered when he was signed, people hated it (couch Rahat cough) because he would be taking minutes from the rookie. Now he is the starting "Powerless" forward, and a debate is happening if he will stick to next year. If it means signing D12 or CP3, then yes he will be cut, if not he will probably still be around and be a decent trade chip during the summer/next trading deadline.
  • Steven says 3 days ago Wow. What a difference 6 months makes. I remembered when he was signed, people hated it (couch Rahat cough) because he would be taking minutes from the rookie. Now he is the starting "Powerless" forward, and a debate is happening if he will stick to next year. If it means signing D12 or CP3, then yes he will be cut, if not he will probably still be around and be a decent trade chip during the summer/next trading deadline.
  • Steven says 3 days ago Wow. What a difference 6 months makes. I remembered when he was signed, people hated it (couch Rahat cough) because he would be taking minutes from the rookie. Now he is the starting "Powerless" forward, and a debate is happening if he will stick to next year. If it means signing D12 or CP3, then yes he will be cut, if not he will probably still be around and be a decent trade chip during the summer/next trading deadline.
  • ale11 says 3 days ago

    I'd like to see him stick around for next season, then we'll see.

  • phaketrash says 3 days ago

    I'd love to keep Delfino, if it makes financial sense. If he has to be released for a deal to happen, then he'll be released. If not, I'd love to keep him for that price.

  • rocketrick says 4 days ago

    I think Delfino is more of a "glue" guy than he is given credit for this season. With all the youngsters on our roster, it is more than nice to have someone with the NBA and International experience that Delfino has plus get the production he is providing our team this year. It would be difficult, in my opinion, for the Rockets to replace Delfino with someone else for the same or lesser salary than he signed up for (at the Rockets option as it turns out) next season. No way the Rockets are in their current position in the standings without Delfino this season. Give the�guy his due!�

  • rockets best fan says 4 days ago

    The Rockets may not have to exercise their option on Delfino. If my math is right,and assuming the Cap goes to @ $60mil the Rockets should have @ $40.3mil in salaries going into the off-season,assuming they decline the option on Garcia,and w/13 players under contract. Howard can start at $20.5mil so waiving one of the Honeycutt,Ohlbrecht,Anderson tri0 will get the Rockets real close if not there.

    problem is howard may not be the only upgrade they are looking at. the rockets have shown they intend to get max cap room and then decide how to fill it. not the other way around. they didn't have to much trouble finding delfino last year and i'm sure they won't have to much trouble finding his replacement next year. players like delfino are almost always on the market.

  • Stephen says 4 days ago The Rockets may not have to exercise their option on Delfino. If my math is right,and assuming the Cap goes to @ $60mil the Rockets should have @ $40.3mil in salaries going into the off-season,assuming they decline the option on Garcia,and w/13 players under contract. Howard can start at $20.5mil so waiving one of the Honeycutt,Ohlbrecht,Anderson tri0 will get the Rockets real close if not there.
  • rockets best fan says 4 days ago

    We would need to be careful in any trade to move up the draft board.� Once we get into the first round the money is guaranteed.� Hence, the beauty of two high second round picks.� At $3M I like keeping Delfino.� He can always be moved mid-season to duck under any salary cap problems and you aren't going to replace his production and experience for less....unless Morey can snare someone on a rookie contract somehow.

    it's not a matter of what delfino bring to the table. morey's motto is buy low sell high. delfino will command a nice price near the draft combined with our draft picks. we don't have to be moving into the first round we could be acquiring another player or 1st rounder the following year. then to there is always a chance morey will see someone slipping down the draft board who he believes shouldn't be. its a win/win delfino is nice,but don't get attached he outta here at seasons end.

  • Cooper says 4 days ago I'd waive him just in case Howard becomes available, he's a good shooter but could be replaced.
  • Red94 says 4 days ago New post: Correction: On Delfino
  • timetodienow1234567 says 4 days ago

    Unless we need that salary for Dwight, Morey'd be an idiot not to re-sign Delfino. A 3 million dollar team option on a player of Delfino's calibre is GREAT. Especially with the way he's been playing lately. I don't think Reddick at 8 million is enough of an upgrade to justify paying him 5 million more per year(with extra years). He will be a VALUABLE trade chip to contending teams and bubble teams (a la Mil with Redick). It would be dumb to just let Delfino walk.

  • Ostrow says 4 days ago

    I think he is a good player for his contract. �Obviously if Morey can do some more great work in the early second round and Delfino becomes expendable I think you get rid of him. He really isn't making that much, he's a veteran for this team, and has some big game experience (albeit�more so internationally). RBF referenced JJ as a possible replacement. �While I think he would be a nice fit for the team, he is going to make way more than 3 million dollars next year. �I think it will be at least 5, but very likely closer to 10 than 3. �For that reason alone I think Delfino is more valuable (we know how much Morey loves his cap space).

  • thejohnnygold says 4 days ago

    We would need to be careful in any trade to move up the draft board.� Once we get into the first round the money is guaranteed.� Hence, the beauty of two high second round picks.� At $3M I like keeping Delfino.� He can always be moved mid-season to duck under any salary cap problems and you aren't going to replace his production and experience for less....unless Morey can snare someone on a rookie contract somehow.

  • rockets best fan says 4 days ago

    this is something I had been thinking about recently. the answer of if the rockets will retain delfino is NO. while delfino is having a nice year morey can find his skillset in to many other places............JJ redick anyone? the rockets have an option year on delfino at 3 mil next year. while that's not to much I expect them to look for a more permanant solution for that 6 man role(because looks like d-mo is PF of the future right now).� I knew delfino was a decent player when we signed him, but must admit I have been shocked by the�results he is having this season. even with that said he is not part of the core of this team making him expendable. yes I do look for the rockets to move him on draft night. that 3 mil some team could save by waiving him might help us aquire a higher draft position when combined with�the 2 newly aquired 2nd rounders we have.........sounds like a morey move doesn't it? the role delfino plays(shooter coming off the bench) is one I expect the rockets to upgrade next year. a decision on delfino has to be made b4 the rockets can talk to howard so I expect they will keep their flexibility intact. this is another reason he will be moved on draft night. it opens more cap room. I have come to like delfino, but he's toast. :(��

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