NBA Off-Season

[jilbagh]

Looks like a blockbuster trade is in the works and could be finalized after tonights expansion draft.

The Mcgrady-Francis deal (Tracy McGrady,Juwon Howard, Ty Lue for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Kelvin Cato and a possible other pic).

This would leave a hole for the PG spot on the Rockets, but it looks like derek fisher, who can opt out of his contract can be a houston rocket guarenteeing that he starts, and the bigger contract he deserves.

A possible starting line up of: fisher, mcgrady, jim jackson, mo taylor, yao ming with ty lue, nachbar, juwan howard off the bench can make then immediate contenders for the NBA Championship, while Orlando having a veteran nucleus with youth to contend in the east.

[dstyle]

This has been one of the most exciting offseasons and it just started. Between the two local teams and the trades and fa's they might get, its going to be crazy.

[jilbagh]

Some other interesting FA's available for the PG spot: Charlie Ward, Troy Hudson, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James. Brent Barry a player that can play 3 spots on the floor is another sniper that could be picked up.

Fisher is officially a FA.

[loseyourname]

Damn. I'm missing out on a lot. I need to start listening to sports radio again. Without the morning commute to school every day, I'm out of the loop.

Fisher would be perfect in Houston. Tough defender, plays physically, good spot-up shooter, can hit the open three, and - most importantly - will gladly feed the ball to Yao every time down the floor. I don't know about McGrady, though. I could see him getting really unhappy in VanGundy's offense. He won't be able to do half of what he did in Orlando. Then again, he won't see half the double and triple teams he saw in Orlando.

[jilbagh]

Another rumor out: Shaq to Dallas for Nowitzki, Nash (sign and trade), and some other player.

This would lead to having Payton probably traded and Fisher baiting the line to go to Houston if the T-Mac-Franchise deal goes through.

The question still lies in finding a back up PG in either case for the Lakers. If Fish stays, he starts with GP as the 1 & 2 with Kobe moving to the wing.

Either way, Shaq just finished building a new custom house in the hills...will he really leave it behind?

[Hogg]

That's why they trade him to the Clippers. Getting Brand is one of the few scenarios I've heard about that I like. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this at this board but I've been a huge Shaq fan since he became a Laker and never really liked Kobe. In fact, I'd probably hate the guy if he wasn't a Laker. I'm obviously a Laker fan and not a Shaq fan but this entire thing is really weird for me. I'm scared my dislike for Kobe will make me a Clipper fan if Shaq is there.

[jilbagh]

I highly doubt Shaq will land in Clipperland. Talks are already burnt off with them. Good ole Don doesn't wanna spend and commit contracts to surround Shaq with players to make him a contender. He's making an extra 12-20 million a year just by losing every year, and frankly he's loving it. So i'd rule out that move.

Indiana sounds the best deal if it still includes, J O'Neal, Artest and Croshere.

But nothing beats giving the Big Baby his contract and continue the winning success in La La Land

[Hogg]

I don't know if we'll get both Artest and Jermaine. It seems it's one or the other with someone like Harrington and a couple other contracts. That'd be a good deal if we could though. It's all speculation. We'll find out soon. Hopefully, Shaq realizes his best option is to stay.

[dstyle]

Best bet in my eyes would be Shaq for Oneal, Croshere, harrington and bender. The dallas boys don't play D.

[jilbagh]

Any trade with Dallas, we're instantly the LA Mavericks with the style they play, not good. If there is to be any trade at all, Indiana is the best. No trade is the best trade (even if it means buying the biggest pacifier there is).