There are rumors that the Rockets are looking to trade Battier this summer, either in a package for Rashard Lewis or for fucking Chris Wilcox.

If he is indeed on the block, Joe needs to bring him home.

What would you give up?

link


Rockets eye Lewis for Battier

FRANK HUGHES;
The News Tribune

Published: June 2nd, 2007 01:00 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Houston Rockets intend to contact the Seattle SuperSonics to discuss a potential sign-and-trade deal for free-agent forward Rashard Lewis.

The Rockets will offer forward Shane Battier and their No. 1 draft pick, 26th overall, in an attempt to lure Lewis home to Houston.

The Sonics say they want to re-sign Lewis, a one-time All-Star who has opted out of his contract, and they have the negotiating leverage to convince him to stay because they can offer a longer-term contract than any other suitor.

But the Rockets are hoping that they can cajole Lewis to leave the only NBA team he has played for with the enticement of being close to family and friends.

If the Rockets cannot land Lewis, they will consider offering Battier for Chris Wilcox, who thrives in up-tempo systems because of his ability to run the court. Wilcox could lose his starting power forward position in Seattle if Lewis and Kevin Durant, the team’s expected No. 2 overall draft pick, play together.

Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler, who works as a television analyst for the Rockets, has told team officials he has breakfast daily with Lewis and that he thinks he can help persuade the player to join a Rockets organization that passed on Lewis three times in the first round of the 1998 draft.

Drexler also has told the Rockets’ decision-makers he might be able to convince Lewis to leave the Sonics and take a shorter-term deal for the midlevel exception, though Houston acknowledges that is an unlikely scenario.

The Rockets had one of the best records in the league this season (52-30) but were bumped out of the postseason in the first round by the Utah Jazz, after which they fired coach Jeff Van Gundy and replaced him with Rick Adelman.

Now, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is attempting to reshape the roster to fit the more up-tempo philosophies employed by Adelman, who led the Sacramento Kings to eight consecutive playoff berths with an exciting brand of basketball.

The Rockets want to keep Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, but they are trying to put in place players who better complement the two All-Stars while fitting in with Adelman’s approach.

The Rockets plan to talk with the Minnesota Timberwolves about swapping veteran forward Juwan Howard for scoring point guard Mike James, who enjoyed two of his best seasons in Houston before going to Toronto.

They also are attempting to send the expiring contract of retired guard Bob Sura to the Golden State Warriors for little-used guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, a move that would save the Warriors almost $3 million.

But the player the Rockets really covet is Lewis because of his size, versatility and, perhaps more than anything else, availability.

Battier has fallen out of favor with the Rockets because he does everything well except score.

The Sonics in the past have expressed to Houston their admiration for Battier’s all-around game.

The Rockets hope that intrigue, combined with the enticement of another first-round pick in a deep draft, is enough to make the Sonics consider a sign-and-trade.

The likely only way the Sonics will consider a sign-and-trade, however, is if they fear they will lose Lewis in free agency and get nothing in return.

There are only two teams – Charlotte and Orlando – that can come close to giving Lewis the same financial security that the Sonics can offer. That is a fact Seattle will use as leverage in their negotiations with Lewis in July.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/76773.html

The problem is even if we get him, where do we play him? We are so stacked at PF and we have Prince at SF. He's not a great scorer and I really don't see him being that great of an addition.

He could get 25 minutes backing up SF/SG and maybe could play PF in a small lineup for mismatch purposes (if we have a coach that likes to utilize mismatches, that is) and if one of those guys got injured, he'd be invaluable.

I've had dreams of having him as a Piston since he entered the league.

Great character, leadership, defense and he can shoot the 3 ball, too.

I could see him as a back-up but at what cost? He had 10 ppg and 4 rpg last season as a starter. I'm guessing that Houston wants more than one of our scrubs in return and i'm not sure if we want to give up much for a back-up who really doen't score consistantly. We already have one of those named Delfino.

I'd give up #15 and Nazr for him.

Salaries are almost identical.

Nazr becomes their new backup for Yao, especially if Deke moves on.

If they are willing to do Battier for Wilcox, then wouldn't they at least consider Nazr and the 15th pick?

We could then take the best available PG with our own 1st round pick.

I'd feel a lot better about the Darko trade if it yielded Battier.

I'd love to see Nazr go but giving up the #15 for a back-up who doesn't really score doesn't seem worth it, at least to me.

I'm intrigued by the 15th this year for some reason. I'd really like to see who's available there. Not saying it wouldn't work though.

For a team like us who are killed by stretches of inept offense, I don't see how this helps us at all. No way I'd deal the #15 pick for him. Battier is a good player, but isn't going to be a difference maker on this team.

Another option would be to start Battier and let him play with the 1st unit, where his scoring wouldn't be needed as much.

Tay could be used as a "supersub" covering as many as four positions.

That might be enough for him to finally become more aggressive, if he wasn't competing with the other starters for shots.

Just an idea.

For a team like us who are killed by stretches of inept offense, I don't see how this helps us at all. No way I'd deal the #15 pick for him. Battier is a good player, but isn't going to be a difference maker on this team.

I guarantee you that he could defend LeBron better than anyone is right now on our squad.

There's a 95% chance that whomever we draft at #15 will never be as good as Battier, IMO.

Why the fuck would Houston trade Battier for Wilcox? Its so illogical on so many levels...

I would LOVE Battier on this team. We need a good 3-point shooter, even if thats all he can do. With him/Tay coming off the bench, it would allow us to play Murray more, since his defencive deficiencies wouldn't matter as much. That way we get his scoring (maybe with more time, he would be more consistent?) and I just love Battier...

Nazr + Either pick for Battier

Yeah the only shots he seems to take are 3's and makes a good bunch of them. Id do a NAzr and the 27 for battier but im a bit hesittant for the 15 because we could get a good young talent

Houston wouldnt be stupid enough to take the 27th though, surely...

Nazr = useless
Its basically the #15 pick for Battier (and getting rid of Nazrs contract), something that I would do in a heartbeat

There are rumors that the Rockets are looking to trade Battier this summer, either in a package for Rashard Lewis or for fucking Chris Wilcox.

If he is indeed on the block, Joe needs to bring him home.

What would you give up?
nothing. we need a center period. . No waiting on cheick samb or forcing amir johnson to the spot. get a center. Trade our two 1st rounders, nazr, and Dale Davis/Dyess for a shot at Oden maybe? i dont know. but we are garbage until we get a center who can dominate defensively. Joe D fell into the league's "more offense" trap and now we're losing to a team thats probably better defensively that offensively. Webber needs to run to the lakers like he planned, and we need a real deal center.

Shane battier is a weak pick up. He can't stop lebron and he's going to want to start over tay. bad combination.

Houston wouldnt be stupid enough to take the 27th though, surely...

Nazr = useless
Its basically the #15 pick for Battier (and getting rid of Nazrs contract), something that I would do in a heartbeat
get smaller in a heartbeat? fuck that.

Trade our two 1st rounders, nazr, and Dale Davis/Dyess for a shot at Oden maybe? .

lol.

get smaller in a heartbeat? fuck that.
Get smaller? Nazr doesnt play... WTF does his height matter if he spends all his time sitting down

Gutz would rather have Marko Jaric for Nazr.

battier?

excuse me while i choose another team to like..


fuck battier GET LEWIS

Now that we're out of it...If Smiley leaves and we trade Sheed, I want to draft someone with the 15.

Gutz would rather have Marko Jaric for Nazr.
No would you rather have that big eared pussy Earl Watson over CBill?

Or are we playing change the subject games tonight Glenn? Because none of those fucks are relevant to the fact that Shane McMahon Battier is not a center and that we need a ....Dare I say Center? But getting another starting SF whose probably going to want to start and whose probably no better than tay at defending LBJ is way better that addressing the Center position. Have fun pushing this.

Joe & Battier are close friends... Shane was a Pistons ballboy during the badboy era... according to Shane, Joe took him under his wings.

I think the Rockets might settle for our own pick and a backup center (throw in Delfino)

A consistent backup SF that can defend would be a large asset.

What about Sheed to Houston for Battier, Howard, Head and/or #26?

No way Houston does that. Theyre high on Head from everything I hear.

Let's trade Nazr to Satan for my soul, I sort've need it back.

No would you rather have that big eared pussy Earl Watson over CBill?

Or are we playing change the subject games tonight Glenn?

Honestly Gutz, I would have expected more out of you.

Who is twisting things here?

It's you.

I can show you numerous posts of yours where you are defending a possible Nazr for Jaric trade. You know damn well that I never said that I wanted Earl Watson INSTEAD of Billups. The whole goal was to get a better backup PG and get rid of Nazr's contract.

I can't believe that your trying to pass on such BS that I wanted Watson so we could play him over Billups.

Very cheesy, my friend.

What about Sheed to Houston for Battier, Howard, Head and/or #26?

I mentioned in the Sheed thread it would probably be Battier and Howard for Sheed and #27.

My one concern about Battier, independent of how he'd fit on our team, is that he doesn't seem to perform well come playoff time.

While Battier is a nice player, that is the one position (top wingman) we don't need to fill.

I also award extra points to Battier for being responsible for injuring Dwyane "the Lincoln Navigator donator" Wade.

Why would they want Nazr? They need a PF, not a center.

Our best asset to them would be Dyess or Sheed really. Either could play next to Yao and create space for him.

Why would they want Nazr? They need a PF, not a center.

Our best asset to them would be Dyess or Sheed really. Either could play next to Yao and create space for him.

The Rockets could really use both because they are so thin up front. howard and Yao is really all they have. JVG seemed to use Hayes because of his rebounding but hes really small. Yao is good for a good 35 a game and no one but Deke is really behind Yao or Juwan...

While Battier is a nice player, that is the one position (top wingman) we don't need to fill.
I think a wingman is the 3rd greatest need (after center and backup PG).

The problem is that if you trade Sheed, you won't get a center back most likely, because any team needing Sheed probably doesn't have a center you would need back.

So, you can move him for another postion and draft a center. Or move him for a higher pick (in some package) to draft a center. Otherwise I don't see how Sheed will get you a center anyway.

If Sheed can get us a backup wing then we can draft a center and backup PG.

I do think Battier would get minutes. Tay can backup the 2 when both are on the floor and provide a great defensive tandom. Especially in Flips zone with a speedy backup PG up top.

The problem with trading #15 for Battier is that it's a lateral move. We need difference makers for the future. Trading for him is a right-now move, and I don't think this team can win it all right now by adding Battier. I don't think he has a chance at defending against LeBron any more than Tayshaun did. We need to look to the future from here on out and quit being just good enough to go a bit in the playoffs before being bounced. All that does is leave us frustrated and disappointed, and gets us a lousy 1st round pick. Either go for it with trade for a difference maker, or make a commitment to focus on the future of our team.

I don't understand the #15 talk either. You can get a solid backup G/F there anyway. I won't move #15 for him. I want a center at #15 (unless Law falls).

Ideally, I want Law, but I don't think he'll fall to us. Center would be nice, but I may go best player available if neither a quality PG or C are available. We could throw Amir out there for considerable minutes and take the hit while he learns. It'd be more of an investment in our future than giving the minutes to Nazr or some other average C. And there's always future NBA superstar Cheick Samb lying in waiting.

An additional note: Houston traded a great draft pick for Battier and are now regretting it. They could have Gay right now, who can give them adequate minutes now and excellent minutes in the future. Instead, they're trying to get rid of Battier. Let's learn from their mistake.

Are you guys saying that the #15 pick is more valuable than Battier?

I'd have to disagree (but then I am more of a "known > unknown" type of guy, especially since the Darko mistake).

Battier was a finalist for the DPOY and was a big reason that Houston turned it around as much as they did this year.

Even if you think #15 is equal to or slightly more valuable than SB, shedding Nazr's contract tips the scales in the Pistons favor without a doubt, which probably means that Houston wouldn't do this anyways.

Yes, I am saying that. I'm not saying that if we select a SF there (say Thorton), that he is better than Battier. Battier is the sure thing. However, the #15 pick can also be used on Law or Hawes if they are there. #15 represents more needs than SF at this point.

If I am a team with SF as my primary option, I would trade the #15 pick for him. I don't trade the pick for my 3rd need though.

If Battier is such a value, why are the Rockets trying to move him? He's a short-term patch for a long-term problem and doesn't make our team signicantly better. A near lottery pick can, and I'd much rather gamble on youth than a veteran who has long since hot his ceiling. Battier is a nice player, no doubt, but not a difference maker on this squad.

If Battier is such a value, why are the Rockets trying to move him? He's a short-term patch for a long-term problem and doesn't make our team signicantly better. A near lottery pick can, and I'd much rather gamble on youth than a veteran who has long since hot his ceiling. Battier is a nice player, no doubt, but not a difference maker on this squad.

Houston is apparently looking to change their style to more of a "Phoenix Suns"-type system (ha ha, Yao), so they are looking to get more athletic and to get guys that can slash and finish. That's not Battier.

If a team were to play more of let's say, a "jumpshooting style" of offense, then Battier would be a better fit.

Sheed would be perfect for them. He would create space for Yao, and also he can play defense on post PF's like Duncan so Yao doesn't get banged up.

They can afford to move Battier because it's easier to find a wing than a big man. They can sign Mo Pete, or draft a SF to replace him easier than finding a solid big man to help Yao. Any big man at the end of the first is probably a project at best.

I know I wouldn't want to trade Sheed for Battier.

Maybe we could give them Sheed for Battier, Head, and Sura, or Battier and Alston (doubtful, he's there starting PG).

I don't think they'd do it with Head or Alston really. I think it's pretty fair. They get a great player for a couple years of chances at a title. We get a solid lockeroom guy that does whatever you need. Remember, Battier was traded for the 8th pick and Swift. Who will offer a lotto pick for Sheed? Nobody.

The thing is, we don't have a need for Battier. I just don't see trading Sheed for a guy that will play backup at 2-3 and possibly 4 as a great value to us. Especially a guy that will want to be a starter. Who did that pick turn out to be anyway?

Rudy Gay.

And no, we'd do the Battier trade after moving Prince for a post player IMO. You don't trade for Battier to be a backup. We can get Mo Pete to do that. I think you move a wing for a post player first. Then fill that need with Sheed in another move. You won't be able to find a team needing Sheed that has a post player for you. Won't happen.

Here's how the whole deal should go. I've said this numerous times now.

Sheed for Battier and Howard.

Sheed makes $12.54 mill next season, Battier and Howard combine to make $12.767 mill next season. Howard has one more year after that as a player option and Battier is a long term thing.
Battier is a perfect fit for this team. He has a well-rounded game and excellent defensive ability. For the past 4 years we haven't really been able to take Tayshawn or Rip out of the game for any extended period of time because there was absolutely nothing behind them. Battier completely solves that problem. Between the 3 of them we can play them 32 minutes each (ideally) with continuous productivity from the 2/3. Battier wanted to start and he wouldn't here, but considering his affection for Joe D I'm sure he would have no problem buying into the vision. At a relatively solid 6'8" he can defend the occasional PF as well.
Howard, probably viewed as a washed up throw in for the deal in many books, is still capable as well. While undersized, he can play some center minutes. He can certainly defend centers, which is the real need here. After that, whatever combination of players we have in the post doesn't necessarily matter offensively. For a big man he's an outstanding free throw shooter. In fact, if you have Billups, Hamilton, Battier, Howard and Prince or McDyess on the floor at the end of a close game with the other team fouling, they'll be hard pressed to find someone "good" to foul. Howard would work as a stop-gap for another year or two until we're able to find or develop our next real center.

The most important part of this trade is that we part with the tempermental Sheed and bring in a guy like Battier that the refs can respect and who does things properly. Just like Sheed eventually wore off even on guys like Tay, Battier can wear off on them the opposite way and get them back to being a hard-working team. Howard can be tempermental, but not like Sheed. Bringing him back to Michigan might be good for him as well. It might even get Webber to resign for a year with the MLE. (hint - bring in Jalen for the veteran's exception for a year as well. He won't see much playing time but he fills out the roster and can provide backup help at 3 positions)

I'm sure King and Jackson wouldn't turn down contracts. Maybe even bring in Glenn's favorite non-Watson guard.

If we do your move and do not move RIP or Tay (which I take it is your plan), we immediately need to move Delfino. he'll just whine without a role, and he'll be a FA soon anyway. Move him with our 15th pick to move a few spots up and draft Law.

I don't suggest having those three around because I think they are missing pieces the team needs or becuase I'm a Michigan fan. I suggest it because Jalen has wnated to come back for a while just like Webber did. While Howard is from Chicago, he still had three years in Ann Arbor. As their careers wind down I think they would be a bit rejuvinated playing here together again. Together their enthusiasm would carry over into the locker room, providing a much needed influence given the way players like Webber and McDyess were speaking after the last game.

Jalen had his chance to come back - but instead went to Phoenix. Fuck him.