6 replies to this topic

[rockets best fan]

As we move into the off season it was pretty clear we lacked some of the ingredients required to reach an elite level. we have all heard the statements from Les and Morey about their intention to acquire "a terrific player". assuming we start from the top of our wish list I think there is little doubt most around here (including myself) want Carmelo. whether you agree with that or not you can't overlook the potential of forming a big 3 in Harden, Howard and Melo. However should that plan fail, what then. most would say Rondo is next in line and that too is hard to argue with, but that is the task I have chosen. the player I want to compare him too is Lowry. both players would bring much needed stability to the offense and a pretty good defender. I don't think there would be any real argument that Rondo is the better defender while Lowry is the more polished offensive player. either could fill the void at our PG position, however Lowry would be the better fit. his outside shooting in addition to his ability to get to the rim gives him the slight advantage over the  marginal increase we would see in defense with Rondo. since we already have Beverly any marginal drop off in defense would be eliminated over the course of a game. 

 

Rondo had a down year mostly due to injury. when he returned at the end of the year you could see the rust, but with a full summer I have no doubt he will return to form. Lowry had a breakout year. whether he was working for his next contract or not is a legitimate question. will he bring the same intensity once the check reaches the bank? he also has a injury history, but there is little reason to believe he won't be 100% next year. they look pretty even on the surface until you open the wallet

 

Rondo is due to make 12.9 mil next year in the final year of his contract and has already said he will test FA. Lowry is an UFA this summer coming off a contract where he was underpaid at just 6.2 mil. Lowry WILL get PAID, whether that be from Toronto or some other team. I suspect he will command somewhere in the 10-12 mil per year range and he is likely looking for a 4 year deal. the danger in trading for Rondo is we may lose him in FA after having given away our trading clips (Lin/ Asik) to acquire him. the thought of having cap room if he should leave is a pipe dream. whether we pay Parsons this year or next (likely this summer) cap room is history after that. the next move we make will lock us into the core of this team, so it's not to be taken lightly. my guess is for Houston Lowry can be had for around 11 mil per. every player at his age starts to focus on championship opportunities and that may buy us a slight discount.

 

the real advantage is Lowry's UFA. to sign him we need to moved salary (aka Lin) or do a sign and trade with the Raptors, but in moving that salary we can attempt to fill other holes on the team. if we work a sign and trade getting the Raptors to accept Lin + drafts picks it still leaves us our best trade chip in Asik. we can then use Asik to find us an upgrade at PF or 6th man wing player netting us max bang for the buck.

 

couldn't leave without addressing the history between Lowry an McFail. I don't believe this to be a real issue base on comments made by Lowry earlier this year. he expressed regret about how the situation turned out in Houston and said he would be open for a return. it was clear that at the deadline this past season the Rockets made an attempt to land him leaving me confident they feel the personality chases are mostly in the past. so what do you think?

[thejohnnygold]

I'll jump in.  Like you, I feel like a floor general would be a huge boon for our team--it won't be obvious in the box score, but it will show in the Win column.

 

Lowry is a solid 2 way player--the kind of player we want Lin to grow into.  He is a relentless attacker, can get to the rim, finish, draw fouls, and shoots a high % on threes.

 

If it was my choice, I'd take Lowry over Rondo.  The 3 pt. % and FT% are huge.  Rondo is the better "playmaker", but his shooting woes are a major concern--I thought it was something he would have worked on while he was hurt--clearly he did not.

 

I have no idea what this off season holds for us.  Is Lowry alone enough to push us into the Finals over the next few years?  It certainly can't hurt--and I also agree that getting Harden to play off the ball a little more would be a good thing.

[rockets best fan]

@JG

I don't think Lowry alone is enough, but it's a major step in the right direction. if we land him without parting with any of our other assets it still leaves us some wiggle room to acquire another impact player. Lin is out of here IMO. Lin is in the final year of his contract. him + draft picks should be able to get Toronto to bite since they will need a PG if Lowry decides to leave. I would still prefer Melo, but if unable to acquire him filling that space with two impact players might net the same result ...........say Lowry and Affalo or Lowry and Milsap

[thejohnnygold]

I like the way you're thinking....Lowry and Millsap would be fantastic.  Now, we just have to convince TOR and ATL to make bad trades with us...

[CT for Three]

But if you bring Lowry in, I think you HAVE to get rid of McHale (which may not be a bad thing). When I see them, all I can see is Game of Thrones, Joffrey vs. Tyrion. I think those 2 would start a epic passive agressive war against each other. (Actually, Lowry is likely to be agressive-agressive) But then again, Lowry seems to have calmed a bit up in Toronto. Maybe having Drake at his games regularly has mellowed him out a little. I think Ujiri might be willing to give up Lowry if we throw in one of our more promising D-Leaguers, like Daniels. You can never have too many sharpshooters, especially those with ice water in their veins like Troy.

[feelingsupersonic]

Good one CT for Three, I like the Game of Thrones reference.

 

As far as Lowry goes I have to admit I thought less of him the way he handled his comeback from illness and how he allegedly conflicted with McHale and Dragic at the time. It would seem that Lowry has matured some. This past year in the playoffs I read an article where Lowry said he regretted the way he left Houston and it made me think that perhaps he has done a good bit of growing up. Saying that I think highly of McHale and I'm sure he has and has had many relationships in the NBA some accompanied by ups and downs, considering that I'd guess if Lowry wanted to return and exhibited the right mindset I'd guess McHale would easily let bygones be bygones.

[rockets best fan]

@JG

I don't think it has to be bad trades for Toronto and ATL. while Lin isn't the best of assets Toronto does have a large Asian population within their fan base and can solve their PG problem for a year and at the same time pickup a draft pick (probably this years first rounder). considering they get nothing if Lowry leaves only a fool would pass that up. it's not like there is a line of Lowry caliber players at PG to chose from and they can use that draft pick to get a player to groom after Lin is gone if they decide not to keep him. that's a win/ win. as for ATL it might be a little more difficult since they are happy with Milsap's play. however given the chance to obtain Asik just might interest them. Horford has already expressed his desire to move to PF. the only reason they can't put him there is they don't have someone else who can play center. throw in a couple of second rounder's to grease the wheels and ATL would have to take a hard look at that deal.