Trade Idea: Shane Battier?

[kevbo]

Any thoughts on whether Battier may be had from Houston? A combo of Scal and Tony Allen works on ESPN's Trade Machine. It seems to me that Houston's already got their future SF in Ariza, and Budinger looks promising off the bench as a back-up. I think Battier would be the perfect piece at the 3 for our 2nd unit, and Houston might enjoy the cap relief.

What does everybody else think?

[Prof. Clutch]

All reports have Battier being loved by Houston's owner.  He's an integral part of their team and most likely won't be made available.  Especially not for scal and tony.  They could get something of actual real value from somebody else, but they'd be giving up a gritty defensive minded, 3 point shooting, all around good guy who is a locker room leader.

In short, very unlikely.

[ssspence]

Shane Battier is NOT going to be traded to the Celtics. We need to stop discussing this. They aren't trading the guy.

[jdub1660]

Any thoughts on whether Battier may be had from Houston? A combo of Scal and Tony Allen works on ESPN's Trade Machine. It seems to me that Houston's already got their future SF in Ariza, and Budinger looks promising off the bench as a back-up. I think Battier would be the perfect piece at the 3 for our 2nd unit, and Houston might enjoy the cap relief.

What does everybody else think?

That trade would NEVER happen. He's loved and needed too much by Houston. Bring back Yao and put a real superstar that can stay healthy next to him, and you got a championship team again.

Now if you REALLY want Battier, then you gotta take McGrady, which means we lose Ray this year. I would consider this trade at least, and hope Ray resigns next year b/c a HEALTHY TMac is better than Ray - can shoot, slash and long arms for steals. But as my favorite post of the year by someone else...
something like" ugh, Tracy McGrady? That guy is made of paper mache and held together by boogers" hahahhaha

[indeedproceed]

I love these thread titles.

I'm Ron Burgandy?

[kevbo]

"something like" ugh, Tracy McGrady? That guy is made of paper mache and held together by boogers" hahahhaha"

Hilarious. Yeah, I always liken T-Mac Samuel L Jackson's character in Unbreakable.

As for Battier, I don't justify that trade for any reason OTHER than if Houston is after cap relief, because obviously they love Battier.

But I'm a little vague on what Battier is "needed" for in Houston. Clearly Darryl Morey knows Houston is NOT competing for a title his season with their roster as is, and probably not even next season. T-Mac's tough to move, but if his contract simply expires they still aren't necessarily below the cap next year. Or at least, not enough to make a big impact in FA. And what of Yao? Does Houston truly expect much of Yao in the future? I would say odds on Yao being a steady contributor next season aren't good. So what good is a role player like Battier who's best suited for a championship contending team languishing on a team that is really rebuilding?

If you are Battier or Houston, where do you go from here?

[Tai]

If you don't think they need Battier, they definitely don't need Scal and TA.

I don't know if we need new players right now, but a backup PG is first before a SF.

[kevbo]

I love these thread titles.

I'm Ron Burgandy?

Hahaha. Good point. Next time, keep an eye out for this:

Trade idea: Jackie Moon and Coffee Black?

[PosImpos]

Can we please stop with these Shane Battier trade ideas?  The Rockets are NOT going to trade the leader of their team.

Why do you think a team of roleplayers manages to win games?  Because they have great leadership.  Battier is a big part of that. 

Battier is an indispensable part of their team regardless of what the depth chart may look like.

[Jon]

Can we please stop with these Shane Battier trade ideas?  The Rockets are NOT going to trade the leader of their team.

Why do you think a team of roleplayers manages to win games?  Because they have great leadership.  Battier is a big part of that. 

Battier is an indispensable part of their team regardless of what the depth chart may look like.

Are you suggesting that the Rockets wouldn't leap at the opportunity to land Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine? 

[PosImpos]

Can we please stop with these Shane Battier trade ideas?  The Rockets are NOT going to trade the leader of their team.

Why do you think a team of roleplayers manages to win games?  Because they have great leadership.  Battier is a big part of that. 

Battier is an indispensable part of their team regardless of what the depth chart may look like.

Are you suggesting that the Rockets wouldn't leap at the opportunity to land Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine? 

Haha, yes.  I'm also suggesting the Rockets wouldn't leap at any offer for Shane Battier unless the talent coming in FAR surpassed the talent going out.  Shane Battier may not be the most talented or physically gifted guy in the league, but his leadership and intelligence make him a far more valuable player than you would expect just by looking at his stats or his salary.

The only player on the Rockets that is likely to be traded this season is Tracy McGrady.  I'll actually be very, very surprised if he isn't traded.

[scoop]

Maybe they'd trade him for Perkins+filler. Maybe.

Morey won't mess up with his wing rotation unless he gets a 1st/2nd option in return.

[Toine43]

I don't get why we're still talking about finding "the perfect backup 3" when we already have one. Really the same goes for a backup point guard. The Daniels and Sheed signings solidified the bench and I don't see why we should have to jump through hoops to sign some washed up "true point guard" or acquire anyone else this year, because talent-wise this team is as it is currently composed has as good a chance of winning it all as anyone else.

[xmuscularghandix]

Why do people think that a perfect bench consists of an entire backup 5? That's not the way it works. As it is we're already running a 9 man unit.

Rondo
Ray
Paul
KG
Perk
Wallace
Daniels
House
Williams

Do you really want Shane Battier taking minutes away from Ray and Paul. There's a thin line between overplaying your veterans, and putting your team in a whole while your stars get cold on the bench.