Basketball-wise, this was a nice move for Houston. They get a big time spot up shooter at the 3 in return for a player who wanted more than a reserve role and who wouldn't work fulltime as a starting 3. Rice's outside game to go with the Francis/Mobley backcourt looks quite nice. Houston has big guys in Taylor/Griffin/Thomas who can knock down shots as well. Of course, the question I have is how does this fit in with their personnel strategy over the next 3 years? Unless his contract has a team option before 2004, then this move would seem to restrict the Rockets' ability to create cap space before then. Cap space isn't always a guarantee of success when it comes to free agency, but it is a nice thing to have. I think Rice definitely has 3 solid seasons left in him. Defensively, the rules changes should help to overcome his liabilities (real or imagined). Sorry for starting a new thread to post these thoughts.
Mr Spur, That's the common misconception on this board. If we did not trade for Rice, I can almost guarantee we would've resigned Shandon for around 5 million per season (we were close to doing this anyway) or signed another player or two (Marc Jackson?) for around that amount. The Rockets weren't going to sit on the cap space, they definitely want to win next year. Anyway, if we had resigned Shandon for about 5 million per season, we would've been right at the cap this season, and then 5 million under the cap in 2002 when Walt Williams' contract comes off the cap. That isn't really worth having, because the value of the MCE should be very close to 5 million anyway. There was never any possibility of having cap room after next summer, because the summer of 2003 is when Steve's max extension will kick in. If we had just kept Shandon, we would've had 5 mill in cap room next year. By getting Rice, we'll get the exception for around that amount, so it's no significant difference on the financial side of things. It really comes down to which player would make us the better team on the floor, and considering it's Shandon and Rice, that isn't a very hard choice.
No problem Mr Spur, it's nice to hear an opinion from other fans like yourself and Swopa, and others, instead of trolls. I agree with you, and like Cat said it doesn't hurt the cap as much as Shandon would have really. Shandon would have likely gotten a Cato type contract, if he got 6 years 42 million for the Knicks (the same contract that Cato got), then he probably would have gotten something like 6 years 30 million dollars, and the Rockets would be trying to dump his contract like they did Cato's. And like Cat mentioned, it allows the Rockets to get their exceptions back. Rice will be off the books by 2004, Shandon wouldn't have been off the books until something like 2006 or 2007. Also Shandon didn't want to be here, so we get somebody who fits the team well. It also allows Griffin to come along slowly instead of being rushed, and maybe Rice can even help Griffin with his shooting touch. And the Rockets get a veteran to help make a run at the playoffs, and do soe damage once they get in.
MrSpur: No problem... we appreciate guys like you and Swopa who don't automatically think "Rockets suck" every time they post . Anyway, on your specific comments... I admit I was one of the guilty parties who immediately reacted with "what the hell!?!??!" But I changed my mind rather quickly as I realized that the alternatives were much worse. No, Houston didn't keep their successful young team together. But they haven't lost anybody but Bullard for nothing so far. And all of the new players (or picks) have some value. Rice will score and will spread the defense. He'll keep the defense honest with Mobley and Francis. He'll serve a role and play quality minutes. I loved Anderson... but Anderson outscored his man one game in five, if that. Rice will do this routinely. Good trade. And thanks for your perspective.
Cat, I would respectfully disagree. I think we could have easily gotten $10 million under the cap next offseason if we wanted.
Thanks all. I didn't realize that 2003 was when Francis' rookie deal would end. Perhaps if SAnderson was signed at $5 mil per season then Houston would be looking at some cap space with Williams' contract expiring as well next summer. Rashard Lewis is a free agent then, but after him the free agent crop is a little weak. Of course, a bird in hand beats two in the bush, I believe is how the saying goes. All I remember is the 'bush' part... Anyways, I know all about trolls...Laker fans are the absolute worst.
I have been in a state of panic that we spent the cap space in this trade for Glen Rice, but after reading these posts the impact does not see so bad. I just wish we could find a way to sign Moochie
I think getting Rice was a good move. The salary part blows but like the Cat mentioned...we wouldn't have sat on the cap space. Look what happened to us this year with all of our cap space...we sign one of our own guys and sign and trade 2 others. Rice also brings some championship experience to the table. i never thought Id say this but I really think you get more bang for the buck with Rice as opposed to Shandon.
I know he's getting older but look at the stat line on rice! 50+ playoff games, once scored 56 in a game, once shot 47% from behind the arc. This guy can score 20-25 whenever you need him to.
I think we could have easily gotten $10 million under the cap next offseason if we wanted. I didn't say that we couldn't have, but to me it was fairly obvious all along that the Rockets were not going to let free agents walk this summer and save cap room for next year. They tried to resign Hakeem to over 4 million per year for 3 years, and they tried to resign Shandon to 5 million a year over 5 years. Either one of those deals would've put us right at the cap, and the Rockets probably originally intended to do both. It was feasible for them to get that far under the cap, but not realistic. It obviously was not in their plan. My point is that most of these people complaining about Rice's salary implications were not doing so when Hakeem was offered 13 million over 4 years, and actually were somewhat pleased with the rumored 24 million 5 year deal to Shandon. Either one of those situations would put us right at the cap and then 5 million under next year, roughly the same value of the MCE.
