Stephen,
At the vet minimum, absolutely, but the “report” in circulation is that they’d give him their MLE.

Charlie Boy,
Yeah, I think they won’t hesitate to do that if Bosh says no.

tombrokeoff,
Gonna need a splash this year to win big.

Matthew,
Will have to wait to see him in NBA action before I pass judgment there.

that seems like a lot to give up for melo, IMO. not sure I could go for that. would that deal have to include an extension on melos contract?

Yeah, you’d probably have to do it.

ZTiger,

I don’t know if this was addressed at me but I’ve never thought there were too many better teams. I think even standing pat, at full health, we’re right there with anyone else. The problem is that the gap between the Lakers and “anyone else” is so big that we need some sort of upgrade to compete.

Anonymous: Hey Rahat. I’m a Rockets fan living in Dallas and am enjoying the FA watch. I know there’s got to be a Rocket’s bar in Dallas, but have yet to find it. Perhaps it’s a secretThe 2010 NBA draft was suppose to be crazy and busy, but did not live up to the hype. This FA might be similar. I hope its even crazier than my expectations.
Although Houston is not reported to be on Lebron’s radar, it wouldn’t surprise me if Morey pulled it off with the power of persuasion and his math to back his claim. With Morey running the show, its hard to predict what he’ll do, but I seriously doubt he’ll make a move for the sake of making a move, unless it dramatically improved the team (LBJ, Bosh). I like the team personality alot, and in my opinion, our depth will be better this year with the development of the younger players. Bringing in a superstar to the team might have the “McGrady” effect and affect the other player’s motivation to play as hard as they did when T-Mac and Yao were out.
We have an excellent core that is scappy and professional. I know this is common sense, but what we need is someone like Mutombo to match the Lakers. We also need an explosive scorer off the bench. Maybe someone will step up this year and become that (Brooks or Bud).    

If the Rockets want to win a title they must have more than one legit all-star player on there team. Look at SA/LA/Celtics all teams had multiple All-Stars with quality role/bench players. The Rockets have the last part but need the first part. They must get a legit top tier All-Star player on their team and pray that Yao will no longer get the injury bug. That’s the only way currently they’ll sniff at winning a title. Too many better teams in the West over the Rockets currently.

That is true that there is the risk of the McGrady effect but at the end of the day, talent always trumps other qualities. I don’t think we can shy away from acquiring talent due to that fear.

George,

Thanks for clearing that up – makes sense.

It’s terrible to a team that doesn’t want those players or values them a lot less. Morey and co. may value certain players higher than most but what comes with that in terms of trading the other teams will value those same players less.

Also it doesn’t seem like Houston is a place that players want to play over Chicago/Miami/LA/Nets/ so say Bosh (or pick any of the players) tells their team no way will I do a sign and trade to Houston that said team will not deal with Houston and at least get something for the team they want to play for. If they tell the player sorry Houston has the best pieces for us said player will walk. They can more than make up the salary playing with multiple max players in cities that draw more attention.

Again with having a different model in terms of judging talent is great on one hand (getting said players later in draft, trades for example) but a killer when trying to deal them away.

Ronaldinho had fallen off a bit at Barcelona (both production and fitness) to the point that they sold him to AC Milan a year or two ago. Still a great player, but not best in the world (that list probably goes Messi, Ronaldo, Torres…). That having been said, most people still expected him to be called up for the Brazil team, but Brazil’s coach, Dunga, is a defensive-minded coach and did not feel the need to bring all the offensive firepower with him to SA. Ronaldinho, who’s never been known for his defensive contributions, was the biggest-name casualty of this strategy.

The 2010 NBA draft was suppose to be crazy and busy, but did not live up to the hype. This FA might be similar. I hope its even crazier than my expectations.

Although Houston is not reported to be on Lebron’s radar, it wouldn’t surprise me if Morey pulled it off with the power of persuasion and his math to back his claim. With Morey running the show, its hard to predict what he’ll do, but I seriously doubt he’ll make a move for the sake of making a move, unless it dramatically improved the team (LBJ, Bosh). I like the team personality alot, and in my opinion, our depth will be better this year with the development of the younger players. Bringing in a superstar to the team might have the “McGrady” effect and affect the other player’s motivation to play as hard as they did when T-Mac and Yao were out.

We have an excellent core that is scappy and professional. I know this is common sense, but what we need is someone like Mutombo to match the Lakers. We also need an explosive scorer off the bench. Maybe someone will step up this year and become that (Brooks or Bud).

I hear you on fan appreciation of our assets, but front office appreciation is another thing. We have young players under contract at prices at or under their value to a team, expiring contracts on veterans who don’t suck, and draft picks.

While the veritable poo-poo platter we offer may stink from a fan’s perspective, it may include exactly what NO’s management is looking for. People would have to help me with numbers, but Aaron Brooks and Chase/Battier/Jefferies and Scola/Ariza and a future number 1 is not terrible, right?

That was a really depressing synopsis. Thanks. (In seriousness, that’s pretty likely. Morey has proven that it’s better to be patient than to jump the gun. He’ll take a ton of criticism when/if they stand pat this summer though from the slower crowd.)

Mike B,

Casual fans won’t get it. Most people are probably wondering who the hell he is and how you would turn down a chance to play for Pat Riley.

Icesavage,

We’re close but we can’t stand pat. This team still needs one more final piece to be taken seriously because with what they have, while I think they can challenge anyone else, they don’t have enough to beat the Lakers in a series.

Anthony,

Great points and glad you brought that up. I’m essentially guilty of the same charge I make against Bryant worshippers, if that’s the case. Interesting – I never considered aesthetics for post-players because I always assumed, if you have nice post moves, you’ll automatically be great.

RFWC: Off-season roster moves are not something one appreciates like a dunk.I agree, the board is not filled with inane comments.Have to say it starts at the top with RH.. Thanks for giving us the outlet.

Thanks. I’ve been pretty amazed by the quality of discussion here lately – a far cry from what I was getting early on (The McGrady saga was painful.) Did you guys just recently find the blog?

Dowjones,

My opinion on that has been that while I think it was a good trade (because of Shane’s obvious impact on our success), we should have been able to get more for the pick, at least the #24 in addition. This is what leads me to believe it was CD’s trade. I can expand on this theory if anyone wants.

Jordan,

My fear though is that these guys are scared off by Yao’s injury history, and in truth, why wouldn’t they be?

Bosh wants to play power forward, with Yao that is the position that Bosh will play, even if Chuck Hays is in the game Bosh will still guard the opposing PF because Hays is a better defender.

Bosh at one point wanted to be the “MAN” in his new city. I dont know if that rumor still holds true, but he would easily take over the “Man” title in Houston.

Bosh is the one free agent that is not willing to leave the 30 million on the table. Lebron has his endorsements same as Wade and his no state tax. Bosh does not want to pass up on 30 Million Dollars!

Bosh is from Texas, and as we all know Texas pride runs deep. Nobody messes with Texas.

Who better to play with than the most effective center in the league Yao? Multiple spot up shooters, Brooks, Martin, Battie, Budinger, Ariza. And defensive minded forwards Scola, Hill, Hays and Jeffries.

I know not every player listed will be on our roster but any combination of those guys equals a Championship caliber team.

Go Rockets, In Daryl we Trust.

Rahat, out of curiosity, what’s your perspective of the Battier trade now? Unchanged since though Rudy’s panned out he’s def not panning out for the griz for cheaps?

Off-season roster moves are not something one appreciates like a dunk. I agree, the board is not filled with inane comments. Have to say it starts at the top with RH.. Thanks for giving us the outlet.

Espn writers are all betting that Lebron goes to the Bulls. The Bulls roster though, I can’t say that it’s all that imposing even if you add two Superstars. I think Chicago has the talent level that is similar to Cleveland (without the two SS). Hinrich is gone, their highest paid player is Brad Miller who is on the decline from a skill standpoint and one of the FA on the market.

Espn writers are also betting that Wade and Nowitzki will stay with their original teams. Miami may be predicated on their ability to sign a big name FA.

I think it will be a week before anyone signs anyone and then all of a sudden everyone will fall into place within 48 hours after the first chip falls. I think the first chip will be Bosh, not Lebron.

I’m going to call myself December Fire Sale for all these teams with disgruntled superstars in December 2010.

I disagree about the quality of Jefferson’s offense. It looks better stylistically than it’s worth. He doesn’t shoot a high enough percentage to make up for the lack of free throws (and the poor shooting once he gets there). The efficiency just isn’t there. I think because he has some of the best low post moves in the game, in a league where skilled post play is harder to find (and harder also because post defense is greatly improved from the past), his offense gets overrated. He wouldn’t be much of an improvement from Scola and it would have to be one or the other unless one of them comes off the bench.

However, I’m not saying he’s totally worthless. If you can get Jefferson for cheap, you take him and let the rotations work out because he can still score and rebound. But the Rockets’ cheap and replaceable assets (players! human beings!) don’t look like it would be enough for Minny. They’re going to have to dip into better asset territory, Battier or Ariza or one, and that might not be worth it.

Yes, Yao can’t be as productive as one would hope from an All-Star, but I personally think we have 2 All-Stars in the making, namely Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin. That should be good enough for us to make a successful drive in a post season. We just need the stars to align and be healthy.

But, then Lebron could break his arm tomorrow and there goes that 20 million investment for any team. Just look how Miami did when Wade was hurt for long stretches.

Now, picking up a strong 4 could be a good thing, but how well would he work together with Yao. There is only so much space down in the post, and Yao doesnt have much of an outside game that you can just not have him post up.

I personally think that it is better to stand pat right now and get our good role players back. With Yao back, and keeping the core of our role players, I think we can be a force to be reckoned with.

What I find funny with the New Yorks and Miamis of the league is that they have enough room for 2 max FAs but what money is left to sign that good role player you need? Chicago has its best because the role players are already in place. Good Role players know their worth too, and while they don’t get max contracts, you cant just give them the minimum either.

Thus, I wonder what type of teams you get when you have so much money invested in just a few players and to round out your team you have to scrap the bottom of the barrel or hope that your 3rd round draft pick is a ’steal’.