Forget Nocioni, Shane Battier Should be the C'S target (He is likely available)

[rondohondo]

Shane Battier has already been rumored to be on the trade block this past off-season. Apparently he was offered along with Brooks for Rubio, but Minny declined the trade.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60155/20090629/rockets_offer_brooks_and_battier_for_rubio/

It has been rumored that Houston wants to dump his salary so that they will have the ability to offer a max contract in 2010 to someone.

Well here is a trade that would make total sense for both teams.

Bos sends: BBD, Giddens,Scal or TA

Hou sends: Battier

Why For Bos

Shane Battier would be the perfect fit to round out this C's roster. Battier is a free agent after next season which is a year less than Nocioni at the same money(around $7 Mil). He could play both SG and SF, giving us an insurance policy for Both Ray And PP if either are injured. He would also give both Ray and PP some much needed rest. He is a much better one on one defender than Nocioni also with the ability to guard Lebron and Kobe in the playoffs without having any drop off from PP's defense.

Bos Roster

PG: Rondo  /  Daniels
SG: Ray   /  House
SF: PP    /  Battier
PF: KG    /  Williams
 C: Perk  /  Rasheed

Why For Hou Like I mentioned before this would be all about Houston clearing cap space to make a max contract offer. By trading away Battier's contract and letting Tracey McGrady, Chuck Hayes and Scola walk at the end of the year the Rockets would have about $15 mil in cap space making them major players for the top free agents. They don't really need Battier after signing Ariza and Budinger coming along well as a rookie. BBD would also help the Rockets replace Scola at the PF position as Scola will likely demand twice as much money as BBD will be making next year.

Hou Possible 2010 Roster

PG: Brooks / Lowry
SG: Joe Johnson(max contract?)
SF: Ariza / Budinger
PF: Landry/ BBD
 C: Yao

[jdub1660]

I the only reason I like the Nocioni trade over this Battier trade is b/c trading for Noc requires us to give up garbage for talent. To get Battier, we lose BBD. Even though I'm not a diehard BBD fan, I think he's worth more at the PF spot than Battier as a 6th man.

[D Dub]

solid idea, but since we got Sheed and Daniels, I'd rather just stand pat and let our team gel.

we've got the best roster in the league, no need to tinker.  TP for the idea though.

[nickagneta]

I think Houston would trade Brooks and Battier for a chance at a possible superduperstar. I seriously doubt they trade Battier for a bunch of expiring contracts and a poor man's version of Carl Landry, Luis Scola, and Chuck Hayes, three players they already have. Why would they need another player just like those three?

I like your thinking and would love to get Battier, I think that kid was born to be a Celtic. But I doubt Houston has interest in moving him unless it's for something special.

[cornbreadsmart]

wha? no way i'd pass on battier. You get THAT guy.For glen davis? See ya later,Glen.

[Change]

Its a no brainer, if he's available for that. But when is too much talent too much to handle? Battier isn't a bench player nor is he 10th man. Plus lets not forget that Doc Rivers is the coach not Gregg Popovich. I will never trust Doc when it comes to rotation and minutes. Doc's plate is already full to begin with what we have. It will interesting to see how Doc handles the Glen Davis situation in a couple weeks. Probably a debacle waiting to happen once Glen returns.

[rondohondo]

I think Houston would trade Brooks and Battier for a chance at a possible superduperstar. I seriously doubt they trade Battier for a bunch of expiring contracts and a poor man's version of Carl Landry, Luis Scola, and Chuck Hayes, three players they already have. Why would they need another player just like those three?

I like your thinking and would love to get Battier, I think that kid was born to be a Celtic. But I doubt Houston has interest in moving him unless it's for something special.

But in a way this is trading Battier for a superstar, they just aren't getting him right away. Having the ability to add  a player like a Joe Johnson, Bosh, Dirk, Amare, or Lebron to a strong supporting cast is better than anything they could get in a trade for Battier and other pieces straight up.

As far as the need for BBD it would be a replacement for Scola who would be let go to free up cap space. Scola is better than BBD, but he will also demand a lot more money.

So the trade actually works out to be Scola and Battier for one of Joe Johnson ,Amare,Lebron, Bosh or Dirk +BBD

That seems like the best way for Houston to go if they really want to acquire a superstar player.

[dark_lord]

hell yea do this deal.  battier would be perfect!!!

[hardlyyardley]

Definitely prefer Battier option to Nocioni....would give up BBD for him

Once he retires as a Celtic he can take either Kerry or Kennedy;s seat in the Senate

[Rondo_is_better]

Love Battier's game. He's a really smart guy and a smart player. Couple that with his defensive prowess and you have the ideal back up 3 for the Celtics. Plus he can hit the long ball!

I agree, forget Nocioni if this is on the table.

[nickagneta]

I think Houston would trade Brooks and Battier for a chance at a possible superduperstar. I seriously doubt they trade Battier for a bunch of expiring contracts and a poor man's version of Carl Landry, Luis Scola, and Chuck Hayes, three players they already have. Why would they need another player just like those three?

I like your thinking and would love to get Battier, I think that kid was born to be a Celtic. But I doubt Houston has interest in moving him unless it's for something special.

But in a way this is trading Battier for a superstar, they just aren't getting him right away. Having the ability to add  a player like a Joe Johnson, Bosh, Dirk, Amare, or Lebron to a strong supporting cast is better than anything they could get in a trade for Battier and other pieces straight up.

As far as the need for BBD it would be a replacement for Scola who would be let go to free up cap space. Scola is better than BBD, but he will also demand a lot more money.

So the trade actually works out to be Scola and Battier for one of Joe Johnson ,Amare,Lebron, Bosh or Dirk +BBD

That seems like the best way for Houston to go if they really want to acquire a superstar player.

Except that by renouncing McGrady and Cook and not picking up Hayes and Landry(or Scola) for 2010-11 and extending Scola(or Landry) the Rockets could still get a max level free agent and keep Battier. So in essence, they really aren't trading Battier away for the opportunity to get Joe Johnson or Chris Bosh. That opportunity already exists.

[Prof. Clutch]

Man, I feel like the team is already so full, but this would be truly...what's the word...ideal.

[rondohondo]

Except that by renouncing McGrady and Cook and not picking up Hayes and Landry(or Scola) for 2010-11 and extending Scola(or Landry) the Rockets could still get a max level free agent and keep Battier. So in essence, they really aren't trading Battier away for the opportunity to get Joe Johnson or Chris Bosh. That opportunity already exists.

By renouncing McGrady Cook, Hayes , Scola they will still be at around $40 MIL on the payroll for 2010 . That only leaves about 10-12 mil under the salary cap, which wouldn't land them one of the top Free Agents next year . getting rid of Battier for BBD would free up another 4.5 MIL giving them about 15 Mil for free agents . Remember the salary cap is going to be lowered next year to about 50-52 MIL

[nickagneta]

Except that by renouncing McGrady and Cook and not picking up Hayes and Landry(or Scola) for 2010-11 and extending Scola(or Landry) the Rockets could still get a max level free agent and keep Battier. So in essence, they really aren't trading Battier away for the opportunity to get Joe Johnson or Chris Bosh. That opportunity already exists.

By renouncing McGrady Cook, Hayes , Scola they will still be at around $40 MIL on the payroll for 2010 . That only leaves about 10-12 mil under the salary cap, which wouldn't land them one of the top Free Agents next year . getting rid of Battier for BBD would free up anoth 4.5 MIL giving them about 15 Mil for free agents . Remember the salary cap is going to be lowered next year to about 50-52 MIL

Actually the correct number, if they renounce those guys you mentioned and renounce Lowry or don't pick up Hayes, is around $37 million and given that Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Joey Dorsey have easy contracts they could get out of given they are not 100% guaranteed if gotten out of within certain time constraints, the more realistic number, is probably closer to $35 million. Most experts are predicting the cap to be more realistically estimated on the high end of the NBA estimate and not the low. I think a cap number of $53-$54 is probably most likely. Either way whether at $35-$37 million and still in possession of Yao, Battier, Ariza, Landry, Anderson, Brooks, Budinger and Taylor, the Rockets can retain Battier and sign their max free agent without having to trade for expiring contracts.

[indeedproceed]

Except that by renouncing McGrady and Cook and not picking up Hayes and Landry(or Scola) for 2010-11 and extending Scola(or Landry) the Rockets could still get a max level free agent and keep Battier. So in essence, they really aren't trading Battier away for the opportunity to get Joe Johnson or Chris Bosh. That opportunity already exists.

By renouncing McGrady Cook, Hayes , Scola they will still be at around $40 MIL on the payroll for 2010 . That only leaves about 10-12 mil under the salary cap, which wouldn't land them one of the top Free Agents next year . getting rid of Battier for BBD would free up another 4.5 MIL giving them about 15 Mil for free agents . Remember the salary cap is going to be lowered next year to about 50-52 MIL

It would be a gold move for us.

Honestly I think Moray thinks Battier is a cornerstone for him. I think he'll only trade him for another cornerstone.