61 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

This almost HAS to mean a Dwight deal is imminent, despite reports one is not. I don't see any other conclusion.

[sircharles]

Maybe were gonna offer Greg oden a Max deal?

[Mario Peña]

I don't think Scola would have been amnestied just as positioning. I assume Morey did this to be able to accommodate any final details that Hennigan needed to proceed. Maybe they hammer out and finalize the details in 24 hours or so I would guess. I wish the Lakers were involved and we were getting Bynum, maybe that happens later.

[Rahat Huq]

I'll be discussing this move on ESPN Radio 97.5FM tomorrow afternoon at 1PM.

[bob schmidt]

I am not feeling particularly happy or excited by the prospect of a Rockets lineup that I don't even recognize in a few short days... Will we be able to create a winning team around DW quickly enough to convince him to stay with us beyond one year? That may be a larger challenge than enticing the Magic to deal with us in the first place.

[blakecouey]

This almost HAS to mean a Dwight deal is imminent, despite reports one is not. I don't see any other conclusion.

Something about Dwight Howard being kept secret? NO WAY! That would be great though, a quick resolution will keep the masses from over-reaction and disappointment of losing Scola.

I'll be discussing this move on ESPN Radio 97.5FM tomorrow afternoon at 1PM.

Will there be a podcast or recording of some sort?

[DaDakota]

I agree with those that say DHoward is immenent, but I don't get why we have to take back all those contracts - just wait the Orlando GM out, he has no other choice at this time.

DD

[sircharles]

Doesn't work that way

[Mario Peña]

Rahat, I guess you might be answering a lot of questions about a new Rocket team by the time you do your spot on The Blitz, good luck!

[TheDream]

I did hear that a lot of the D.Howard talk had been from Brooklyn's people and D.Howard's people. If he doesn't want to go to Houston and Houston can keep their office quiet, then it is very possible that the rumor mill has just slowed despite good progress. Big players move often without much word when teams know when to stay quiet (Nash to Lakers or D.Williams to Nets 1st time)

[Rahat Huq]

Blake - yes, I'll put the podcast up after the show.

[Rahat Huq]

I agree with those that say DHoward is immenent, but I don't get why we have to take back all those contracts - just wait the Orlando GM out, he has no other choice at this time.

DD

I tend to agree, though you never know - someone could emerge out of nowhere such as Atlanta or Golden State. I feel that if you feel you finally have a deal, with something like this, you have to do it.

[Jeby]

It hurts to see a warrior like Scola get amnestied for a diva like Howard. But if I was a GM I would take the same chance.
Just remember, while Scola may be insulted by the move, he still gets his money.

[Rahat Huq]

New post: Permalink

[rocketrick]

I'm not 100% certain but I believe the Rockets want maximum flexibility the next few days and to do so was left with no choice but to amnesty Scola. I've seen reports on espn.com that the Lakers and Mavericks would be very interested in bidding for hiim. By amnestying Scola, the Rockets can simultaneously do the official signing offers of both Lin and Asik while completing the trade for Dwight Howard et al. They have to financially be under the cap to do all of these moves simultaneously. The reason for rescinding their qualifying offer on Courtney Lee was because they were otherwise at that time over the cap and couldn't make a signing offer for Lin. Everyone expects the Knicks will match and keep Lin but one never knows and that's why it is worthwhile to make the necessary moves and see where the chips fall. For sure, I concur with the overall feeling on this board that the Rockets are all in at this point.

[Rahat Huq]

I'm not 100% certain but I believe the Rockets want maximum flexibility the next few days and to do so was left with no choice but to amnesty Scola. I've seen reports on espn.com that the Lakers and Mavericks would be very interested in bidding for hiim. By amnestying Scola, the Rockets can simultaneously do the official signing offers of both Lin and Asik while completing the trade for Dwight Howard et al. They have to financially be under the cap to do all of these moves simultaneously. The reason for rescinding their qualifying offer on Courtney Lee was because they were otherwise at that time over the cap and couldn't make a signing offer for Lin. Everyone expects the Knicks will match and keep Lin but one never knows and that's why it is worthwhile to make the necessary moves and see where the chips fall. For sure, I concur with the overall feeling on this board that the Rockets are all in at this point.

Good points on that. So you're insinuating that the Scola waiving had to be done in the event that Asik/Lin aren't matched to preserve flexibility for the Howard trade?

[rocketrick]

I don't believe the Rockets would be allowed to simultaneously officially present the offers to Lin and Asik and while waiting during the 3-day period to see if either or both are matched, consumate a trade for Howard and the other Magic pieces. That is a lot of cap space we are talking about for all of those moves to be in play. Also the amnesty period only lasts until Tuesday, I believe, so there's not really that much time left to see if a trade works out before making a decision on Scola. It sounds like they were close to trading Scola earlier this month but I'm not sure what they would have received back. Instead they have much more cap space flexibility by amnestying Scola now. Plus this gives Scola the best chance to receive higher offers before more free agents are signed in the next 2-3 days leaving less and less teams with the cap space needed to sign free agents including Scola. ESPN has already reported Dallas is prepared to bid high for Scola which would help the Rockets financially. In any event, I don't think anyone can read too much into any of these developments. These were necessary moves (trading Lowry for a lottery pick, rescinding Courtney Lee's qualifying offer, not guaranteeing Dragic's 4th season, and now amnestying Scola) to be best positioned to trade for Howard and other Magic pieces while simultaneously making serious offers for both Lin and Asik. Lin will likely be matched but one never knows. Asik is 50-50 in my opinion, the Bulls seem to be undecided and it would be beneficial for the Rockets to put maximum pressure on the Bulls by making that offer to Asik right away. The most important part of this puzzle, and the most difficult, is to clear cap space for these types of moves to even be possible. The longer all these moves take, the less remaining free agent signings are available once the dust settles and the Rockets know how much more money they have left to sign other players for the upcoming season. So time is of the essence in my opinion.

[Rahat Huq]

I don't believe the Rockets would be allowed to simultaneously officially present the offers to Lin and Asik and while waiting during the 3-day period to see if either or both are matched, consumate a trade for Howard and the other Magic pieces. That is a lot of cap space we are talking about for all of those moves to be in play. Also the amnesty period only lasts until Tuesday, I believe, so there's not really that much time left to see if a trade works out before making a decision on Scola. It sounds like they were close to trading Scola earlier this month but I'm not sure what they would have received back. Instead they have much more cap space flexibility by amnestying Scola now. Plus this gives Scola the best chance to receive higher offers before more free agents are signed in the next 2-3 days leaving less and less teams with the cap space needed to sign free agents including Scola. ESPN has already reported Dallas is prepared to bid high for Scola which would help the Rockets financially. In any event, I don't think anyone can read too much into any of these developments. These were necessary moves (trading Lowry for a lottery pick, rescinding Courtney Lee's qualifying offer, not guaranteeing Dragic's 4th season, and now amnestying Scola) to be best positioned to trade for Howard and other Magic pieces while simultaneously making serious offers for both Lin and Asik. Lin will likely be matched but one never knows. Asik is 50-50 in my opinion, the Bulls seem to be undecided and it would be beneficial for the Rockets to put maximum pressure on the Bulls by making that offer to Asik right away. The most important part of this puzzle, and the most difficult, is to clear cap space for these types of moves to even be possible. The longer all these moves take, the less remaining free agent signings are available once the dust settles and the Rockets know how much more money they have left to sign other players for the upcoming season. So time is of the essence in my opinion.

Very nice take. Repped.

[ale11]

I know that this was just for business, but I really hope that Morey has picked up the phone, call Scola and tell him why was he going to amnesty him. His dedication to our team even in the rough deserved at least an explanation, and I hope that they told him what we all think: that it's better for him to get amnestied and a bid from an average or good team (let's say Dallas) rather than traded to Charlotte or something. Of course, the real reason for that it's that he's the only amnestiable player (Martin doesn't count being on the final year of the contract) and worth of it (financially).

If that interest of the Lakers is real, I would have preferred to trade him there in the mega trade that would bring us Bynum, but they might send Artest to Orlando or Houston and I think they don't want it either....but I would've definetely gave that option a shot. But business is business, so.....Good luck, Luis. If you sign for the Mavs, don't become Terry's successor.

[rocketrick]

Luis Scola is now a Phoenix Sun according to ESPN.