Rockets sign Ariza with Disable Player Exception

[Marqui]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/090708_rockets_ariza_yao

So here goes another team that can throw the MLE at Big Baby.

[Donoghus]

I was not aware a Disabled Player Exception existed.  Interesting.

[lon3lytoaster]

They didn't use the MLE, and still have it to sign Baby if they want to do so.

Lucky rockets, I guess. They get the guy they want and can still add with the MLE. Wonder what they're payign Ariza now? I assume they were able to use Yao's entire salary as an exception.

[CelticsWhat35]

Seems a little shady.  But do you think the Rockets would even want to pay all that extra money for a team that isn't going anywhere next year without Yao?

[PosImpos]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/090708_rockets_ariza_yao

So here goes another team that can throw the MLE at Big Baby.

They already have a couple undersized PFs.  I doubt they'd use the MLE on BBD.

[Lucky17]

Wow, that's a small coup by the Rockets.

[Roy Hobbs]

I wouldn't call the Rockets all that lucky.  I mean, the only reason they got the exception in the first place was because they lost their all-pro center.

[the_Bird]

Wait, what?  It was just announced a few weeks ago that Yao was out for the season, they were already granted an injury exemption?

What happens if Yao CAN play next year?

Remind me again why the League didn't grant us any cap relief when Reggie died?

[indeedproceed]

Don't ever sell Daryl Morey short... i think he's the smartest GM in basketball.

[Roy Hobbs]

Wait, what?  It was just announced a few weeks ago that Yao was out for the season, they were already granted an injury exemption?

What happens if Yao CAN play next year?

Remind me again why the League didn't grant us any cap relief when Reggie died?

The Reggie situation was under a different CBA, and different rules.  If it happened now, we'd be able to at the very least sign a replacement player.

If Yao comes back before the end of the season, it doesn't affect anything; there's no penalty for having Ariza on the roster.

[Lucky17]

If Yao comes back before the end of the season, it doesn't affect anything; there's no penalty for having Ariza on the roster.

That's the key thing. I don't get the logic, but the league has essentially given Houston a second MLE to play with.

[Who]

Any ideas on who the Rockets may go for?

Edit: McDyess, he's from Houston right?

[Roy Hobbs]

If Yao comes back before the end of the season, it doesn't affect anything; there's no penalty for having Ariza on the roster.

That's the key thing. I don't get the logic, but the league has essentially given Houston a second MLE to play with.

Well, the logic is that a team is missing its best player for the full season.  I personally think this is a good thing, as in theory it keeps a team from losing the ability to be competitive when it loses a key contributor.

[Celtic]

Good signing for Houston, Ariza will be a good player in their system and if Yao and McGrady come back healthy...

I couldn't even finish that sentence.

[Lucky17]

If Yao comes back before the end of the season, it doesn't affect anything; there's no penalty for having Ariza on the roster.

That's the key thing. I don't get the logic, but the league has essentially given Houston a second MLE to play with.

Well, the logic is that a team is missing its best player for the full season.  I personally think this is a good thing, as in theory it keeps a team from losing the ability to be competitive when it loses a key contributor.

Yes, but Yao hasn't been ruled out completely for next year. I've heard he's out only if he elects to have the surgery, and there's another non-surgery option on the table. Granted, the odds aren't that good, but it's possible as of right now that Yao plays next year.