395 replies to this topic

[DaDakota]

There is a rumor that the Rockets are still after him, and it would cost, Royce White, Kevin Martin and the Toronto pick.

Would ya?

I would not, no need to hit purgatory any longer.

DD

[sircharles]

Absolutely.

[rockets best fan]

duh.........no doubt about it. smith is better than just about anybody you could get with the raptors pick, even though I like white he would be colateral damage and martin goes without saying. this is a deal I would wait till the trade deadline to do if I were the rockets. that way smith won't keep us from getting a good draft pick. then next year we could end up with a high draft pick the bird rights to smith and the cap room to bring in another star.......say bynum maybe?

[DaDakota]

But Smith has peaked and by the time the Rockets would be actually any good he will be old, and Royce still has potential.

I just think it would be the wrong time to make a move like that, and doesn't make the team an actual contender, so why bother?

Let the young guys play and see if any of them have that "IT" factor.

I would hate for someone to discover that "IT" factor on someone elses team.

DD

[sircharles]

Smith is only 26

[blakecouey]

Id do it, but I would rather find a way to keep the rookies from this year out of the deal. Although it keeps a logjam at forward. I agree with dadakota I wouldn't want one of them breaking out on another team. I would rather them send Patterson and Morris instead of White.

As I said though its still a deal Id be willing to do.

[ale11]

Agree with blake, I'd go for it if we send at least one "and a half" PF in return, and if Patterson is one of them. And it definitely has to be at the deadline, because it's a good chance that Lin-Smith-Asik together the entire season make the playoffs.....

[tombrokeoff]

if atlanta knows for sure that they want to move him, what is their motivation to wait til the deadline?

[ale11]

if atlanta knows for sure that they want to move him, what is their motivation to wait til the deadline?

None, but if we deal right now, we won't be getting a lottery pick. If they want to deal him, it's their thing, but it's not appealing for us at this point, later on it might be.

[thejohnnygold]

It's a tough one. He is definitely a solid player, but after looking over his stats--found here--I am less impressed....I don't get to see him much...am I missing something? I think I would rather cling tightly to the Toronto pick....It's not that hard to find a guy that can go for 16 and 9 as the #2 option on a team. Plus, his efficiency is not that great, he doesn't get very many fouls and when he does his FT% is low. Unless he goes all out Z-Bo and finds another level I just don't think he is worth it. I guess with Joe Johnson gone we will find out what he can do as a #1 option.

Also agree with waiting till deadline. Atlanta may want to free up that salary to make a run at Dwight this Summer and be willing to take less.

[tombrokeoff]

None, but if we deal right now, we won't be getting a lottery pick. If they want to deal him, it's their thing, but it's not appealing for us at this point, later on it might be.

yeah i guess what i was getting at is they could be using the same train of thought - if we (atlanta) keep him until the deadline, we're going to hurt our upcoming draft slot. just kind of flipping the idea onto their thinking. if thats our perspective, then they could be thinking likewise.

[DaDakota]

I hear you guys, and did not realize he was only 26, but still don't find him all that impressive or a building block for our future, which is honestly 3 to 4 years away if we are lucky.

DD

[Rahat Huq]

No way. I completely agree with Dadakota. I don't view him as a building block. By the time we're good again, he'll be 30. I want this team to bottom out and hold onto that pick and build through the draft. I'd be livid if the Rockets made a deal like this.

[feelingsupersonic]

I agree with those saying to make the trade. And like others have said definitely hold off as long as possible. I am not so concerned about trading rookies being that I believe Summer League play can often be fool's gold. There is a long list of players that played well in the summer and never made an NBA roster. Anyway, you go for Smith as he probably has a good 6 productive years ahead of him. I do like the idea of keeping the Toronto pick if possible though.

[DaDakota]

My issue with Smith is that he relies heavily on his athleticism, and when that wanes he will more than likely struggle, remember how fast Steve Francis fell off?

Same thing here.

And he is undersized, even for the Rockets only 6'7" I believe....and not a building block, so to me, he is just another case of treading water, and there is no need to do that now.

DD

[Rahat Huq]

My issue with Smith is that he relies heavily on his athleticism, and when that wanes he will more than likely struggle, remember how fast Steve Francis fell off?

Same thing here.

And he is undersized, even for the Rockets only 6'7" I believe....and not a building block, so to me, he is just another case of treading water, and there is no need to do that now.

DD

That's my thought too.

If you get him, your lineup is Smith, Parsons, Asik, Lamb, Lin. You probably win 35 games? No Toronto pick. You have your own pick which is maybe 10th and then you improve the internal development of Lamb and Motie? What purpose does it serve? I'd rather just throw Motie out there and keep the pick and White. We cannot tread water anymore.

[tombrokeoff]

i really had no opinion either way, but im starting to lean towards DD and Rahat

[ale11]

I agree with you, guys (Rahat, DD, Tom), that's why I would hold. I know 7 months are not really quality time to let the rookies prove their worth, but what if they turn out to be much worse than expected? Smith is not a cornerstone, but would definitely allure someone else to come to the Rockets. He is overpaid and he'll keep being overpaid, that's the main reason why I wouldn't make that trade, but it's an option.
And as I said, I would go through with it in February, not now

[amacbrooks12]

Initially I wouldve done this deal in a heartbeat since we'd be getting a guy like Josh Smith . But after reading TheJohnnyGold's comment , I too am less impressed and I wouldnt do that trade anymore . Josh Smith only averages 16 and 9 , and IMO Pattrick Patterson can average those numbers EASILY , now that his ankles are healthy , now that theres a training camp this time , and now that he will be getting heavy starter minutes . Even Mottie can average those numbers sometime in his career if given the right amount of minutes . Both Patterson and Mottie can do what Josh Smith can do , and maybe even more so I see no reason in why we would need Josh Smith . Probably the only reasons though would be that :

1. He is an all star ( something we dont have as of right now )

2. He has freakish athleticism and is exciting to watch ( he would be the most exciting rocket and can maybe even sell a few more tickets , just imagine Lin throwing him alleys )

3. He could lure in another star to Houston

And knowing Daryl Morey , he'd probably do the trade just because its Josh Smith . He'd probably do that trade for the exact reasons I just stated . But whether that trade does happen or not , its not really that big of a deal ( IMO )

[Cooper]

Smith is a guy you add when you already have a star. White Martin and a pick wouldn't be a bad deal it just isn't the right time.