Full MLE for Jackson. I don't know what's happening here. Pacers needing luxury tax relief? Rockets anyone. It won't happen, but I do love Al Harrington's game. Combo 3/4. Good player to have on your team. Versatile offensive player and defender. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1837655 Stephen Jackson has agreed to a six-year, $39 million contract with the Indiana Pacers, a source close to Jackson told ESPN Insider's Chad Ford. The Pacers will use their entire mid-level exception to sign Jackson. Indiana has been looking for some athleticism and perimeter shooting in their backcourt and Jackson, who has championship experience with the Spurs, can provide both. Jackson averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game last season in his only campaign as a Hawk. That followed his breakout season in San Antonio, where he averaged 11.8 points per game for the 2002-03 NBA champions. Jackson's forthcoming signing may trigger another deal for the Pacers. The team has been trying for weeks to move Al Harrington in an effort to clear enough money under the luxury tax threshold to sign a free agent. With Jackson agreeing to terms, Harrington likely will be moved to a team with enough cap room to swallow his deal.
If the Pacers are looking just to DUMP Harrington, the Rockets need to step up IMMEDIATELY with their Trade Execption. Great chance to nab a SOLID talent in Harrington. Even if we dont keep him he would be a nice ASSET! This is EXACTLY how the Rockets got Jim Jackson last year! The Kings made their trade to get Brad Miller and then didnt have money to resign Jimmy. So they let him go. NOW the Pacers make a move to get Stephen Jackson and all of a sudden Harrington is expendible! Rockets could get another GOOD VALUE here by using their Trade Exception to get Harrington!
Codell, I did post it there, but the ROCKETS angle with the Trade Exception and Harrington probably warrants it be here as well. Although I wish the Thread TITLE was something more relevant like "Pacers Want To Dump Harrington - Rockets T.E. to the Rescue?
The best thing about Pollard right now is the laughs his facial hair produces, besides that why would you want him? I think he has a huge contract...
FYI, Harrington's cap number is 6.2M. We could trade the Pacers a 2nd round draft pick and 6.2M of our T.E. for Harrington Or, how about a Harrington & Croshere for Taylor and a 2nd rounder. They dump Harrington and get a post player in Taylor for Croshere. Guys, if the Pacers want to DUMP Harrington, the Rockets need to get on this IMMEDIATELY! A guy with skills like Harrington's just to FALL IN OUR LAP via the TE would be incredible!
They don't need him but the beauty of having Yao and Tracy McGrady is that you don't really need to fret about needs. Just field the best possible supporting cast around them without overpaying. Al Harrington is a great value. I didn't like him for the old Rockets, but he would be a great, great fit for this new look version. He's an agressive, very large, powerful small forward who will force teams to guard McGrady with their shooting guard. He is Indiana's prime trade bait this summer - why would they just give him away for nothing, even if for cap relief? It doesn't make sense. I'de be ecstatic if they could land Harrington with the trade exception, and then split the MLE between Damon Jones/Charlie Ward and some scrub big man. A young trio of Yao/McGrady/Harrington would be nice to build around. Remember, we don't need to be overpaying for these free agents. We need to be waiting for situations like this where we can nab a player we really want or otherwise just sign cheap free agents.
Houston trades: PF Maurice Taylor (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg in 27.8 minutes) Houston receives: PF Austin Croshere (5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.7 apg in 13.7 minutes) PF Al Harrington (13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 apg in 30.9 minutes) Change in team outlook: +6.8 ppg, +4.5 rpg, and +1.0 apg. Indiana trades: PF Austin Croshere (5.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.7 apg in 13.7 minutes) PF Al Harrington (13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.7 apg in 30.9 minutes) Indiana receives: PF Maurice Taylor (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg in 75 games) Change in team outlook: -6.8 ppg, -4.5 rpg, and -1.0 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and Indiana being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Indiana had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out unless trade exceptions were used for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
If the Rockets plan on starting Howard and we don't land a decent backup 4/5, I think that we desperately need some size at SF. I just don't think a starting forward combo of JJ and JH is going to be intimidating many teams.
It seems VERY odd Cabbage, why Indiana would essentially want to THROW Harrington away. But read what they want to do....they want to REDUCE salary for LT reasons. So basically trading him for another player WONT do that. Basically they GOT their player with the FULL MLE in Stephen Jackson. So losing Harrington means they GAIN Jackson. Right now Indiana probably wants to see what DRAFT PICKS they can get for Harrington since they dont count against the cap. And the only teams that can send draft picks and ABSORB Harrington's salary are teams that are 1) under the cap and 2) have Trade Exceptions like we do. So teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver and the Rockets are all in play here. I agree that the FIT of Harrington on the Rockets would be great. I like what he brings to the table defensively too! He is very good and would add to our perimiter defense. Plus Harrington can play BOTH forward positions. Harrington is still VERY young and can GROW with Yao and McGrady. Harrington would be a nice 3rd scoring option on this team.
