As much as I like Dice, this one makes a lot of sense for both teams.

--The Rockets need a PF, the Pistons need a SF

--Battier is younger and he fits the "get younger" mantra

--Battier makes about $500K less this year than Dice, which would help Davidson try to stay under the tax threshold

--Dice's expiring deal would be attractive to Houston

--Battier is from Detroit, Dice lives in Houston

--Battier is close with Dumars

--Dice's departure clears up even more playing time for Maxiell, Amir and maybe even Samb (if he makes the team).

The only thing I'm not sure of is what restrictions there might be on trading Dice (time-wise) since he just picked up his option. There might not be any, but I don't know for sure.

Thoughts?

I could live with that. It'd suck to see McDyess leave without a ring, but it'd sure be nice to have Battier's defense and regular season hustle (I'm less sure about his post-season motor).

Could I see Houston doing this? I dunno... probably not.

FYI Mxy, I neglected to mention Dice's expiring deal in the initial post as a benefit for Houston. Not sure if that sways you or not.

I could live with that. It'd suck to see McDyess leave without a ring, but it'd sure be nice to have Battier's defense and regular season hustle (I'm less sure about his post-season motor).

Could I see Houston doing this? I dunno... probably not.

Yeah I'd hate to see Dice staying, then getting trdaed to a team that won't get past the 2nd round in the playoffs.

Dice is more comfortable as the first big off the bench, but in this case, I think the rockets might need to start him, something he wouldn't want.

From the Pistons view, I'd like it. Cheaper and younger, but how well will Battier do offensively off the bench? Most shots he takes are 3's. With Stuckey driving, and Battier floating around the perimeter, he should get some open looks. his defense is a nobrainer. I think he's got some Pistons DNA

For all we know, Dice might have picked up his option and told Joe that if he wants to move him to another contender that he's okay with that (it's possible that he may have even specified Houston, who knows?).

Why would he do that? His option was worth more than the MLE (not by much, however). It also would allow another team to acquire him and still keep their MLE to add another piece.

Just speculation here, born out of boredom.

I knew it was an expiring, but their cap issues aren't severe -- ~$9 million of expiring at the end of 2008 as it is (Sura, Snyder, Bonzi, probably Spanoulis), maybe more if they can find a taker for Alston. If they were to do such a trade, they'd better have a big 2008 FA or two in mind.

My heart says no, but my brain says maybe.

I would do it with the assumption that Flip will play Max/Amir/Nazr/whoever and not play Sheed 40 minutes a night. If he's going to play Sheed a ton and wear him out then this will be bad.

My heart says no, but my brain says maybe.

I agree with Atticus

Where do I sign?

Glenn, I like the trade, but I have to say no. I think that Battier fits our needs way more, is a Dumars kind of player, and is a stand up guy. But I think that his contract is going to involve us putting way too much cash into one position, especially since Tayshaun and Battier really are true SFs.

I think that Dice's contract is going to be worth a ton this year. We are talking about arguably the best free agent class ever, and we will have a large expiring deal involving a player that can actually contribute on a roster. I have to think there will be better offers involving a first rounder next season. I do like your trade, and think we would be better off this year with it (especially if Webber does come back), but our salary cap will be tight.