Who do you want starting at PF

[Ginrai]

Well, it looks like you can take off SAR and Swift off that list....

Swift Takeoff: Rockets Land Stromile
18th July, 2005 - 8:40 pm
Houston Chronicle - Forward Stromile Swift, the only player the Rockets have targeted in free agency, agreed to terms with the Rockets on Monday evening, Swift's agent, Andy Miller, said.

Swift spent almost two weeks since visiting the Rockets considering his options, including a strong push by the New Jersey Nets , but Miller said Swift, 6-10, decided the chance to play with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming inspired him to take the Rockets' offer.

The Rockets, who are over the salary cap, could offer only the midlevel exception, expected to be worth between $28 million and $32 million over five years. He likely could have received greater offers, particularly in a sign-and-trade deal, but decided to end his free agency.

Swift, 25, has averaged nine points and five rebounds in five NBA seasons.

"He has decided to become a Houston Rocket," Miller said. "He's absolutely excited about playing with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. The Houston organization has been very consistent and adamant about getting him." [READ]

Abdur-Rahim Agrees To Join Nets, Either Via MLE Or Sign-And-Trade
18th July, 2005 - 9:01 pm
ESPN - A team source said the Nets are very close to an agreement with Shareef Abdur-Rahim on a six year contract worth roughly $38 million.

To make the deal work under cap rules, the Portland Trail Blazers , who own Abdur-Rahim's rights, would have to agree to sign him to the contract and then trade him to the Nets using a $5 million trade exception that the Nets own. In return, the Nets would send a future first round pick to the Blazers.

If the Nets are unable to get the Blazers to agree to a sign-and-trade, Abdur-Rahim has agreed to sign with the Nets for their mid-level exception at five years for about $28 million, according to the team source. So, either way, it looks like the Nets will get their hands on Abdur-Rahim. [READ]

 

[Kypus]

I chose Gooden reluctantly till I can come up with a better option. Marshall is an option I am considering, but not at the expense of signing Sarunas.

Drew Gooden : My pick. I would like a better fit, but until that arrives he stays and starts.
Anderson Varejao : Why destroy his strenghths by changing his aggressive in your face style by starting him? His game is perfect coming off the bench till his game develops enough.
Antoine Walker : Needs the ball to be effective. Thats not a fit.
Reggie Evans : Good fit, but he is a restricted free agent. You dont overpay very limited players.
Stromile Swift : Potentially a good fit, but the same can be said of Drew Gooden. But like Drew, this is unlikely to eventuate, as he is not a smart player.
Shareef Abdur Rahim : Good choice if we missed out on a 2 guard. Defensively poor so not a good fit.

Karma you are the man, you make me sick :chuckles: aaron and King good points also. There's just no one available this year that really makes sense. I would rather see the new backcourt gel with Lebron and Z, and get a PF according to what we do this year. We should keep our heads on straight and look at next year's FA PFs, not fall into Home Shopping Network mentality.

Drew Gooden- For all the talk about getting the tough guy PF, there are none that would be a physical upgrade over DG, now that Haslem and Swift are taken, *especially* at the market price. The only other one *might* have been Reggie Evans but I haven't seen him play, plus he's restricted so forget it. At 6'10 242 Drew is bigger than the other good FAs and could bulk up some more, he's only 23.

Anderson Varejao- I posted before about the Gooden/Varejao tandem being the best thing on last year's team, right after LBJ's leadership. If a guy's a championship- caliber 6th man, why mess with him? Give him the 50/50 minutes with Gooden and see how he develops. And he will, he will...possible 6th man candidate here. Let him fill in at C once in a while and see what he and Gooden do together on the floor. We shouldn't just hand him the starting job in Nov because A) let's face it, his reckless style could get him injured really quick, especially against 1st string bangers and B) he's a terrible FT shooter. If he works up to starting, hey that's great.

Antoine Walker- don't like this guy's game, ever since Kentucky. Doesn't make teammates better, ball hog, ill-advised 3-pot shooting, would never work as a 4th or 5th option.

Reggie Evans- haven't seen him play, plus he's restricted.

Stromile Swift- He might have fit, but he's gone now. People say he's dumb-it could be that or being buried on a NBA Siberia team. Something's not right with this guy though...a #2 draft pick should be tearing up. Seemed better under Fratello but come on...

SAR- Gone now. A great fantasy basketball player, that's all. BTW my league didn't count defense.

Donyell Marshall- another great fantasy player for me from his time on the Warriors. Seriously why would we go after another offense-minded guy? Doesn't make sense. 6'9 230, I"m shocked he's that big because he definitely doesn't play that big, he's a 3-4 tweener. Sure would love him off the bench though...*drool*