How does this trade sound (suggested by a friend of mine after dinner last night):
BOS sends Morris (5.375M) to HOU
HOU sends Nene (3.651M, 3.825M) to BOS
Low-level draft picks get sprinkled appropriately on the deal to make it work.
Why HOU does it: To get rid of Nene and to replace some of what Ariza and a Moute' took out the door. I.E., HOU needs a 'big wing'.
Why BOS does it: BOS then stretches/waives Nene' out, reducing his cost to 2.49, saving just over 3M net over Morris' contract. This Allows them to pay Smart at a starting salary of as much as 11M without going over. If they waive Nader before the end of this month, they can clear another ~900K. Though they may want to use that for Bird.
Morris will likely see his minutes squeezed given the return of Howard and the continued development of Jaylen, Jayson, Theis, Yabusele and Semi. So Houston would be a good fit for him since they have a need at his position.
Seems fairly straightforward. Am I missing some obstacle?
Of course, Danny would only do this if he has to match an offer for Smart below the numbers I indicated. If Smart comes back and signs the QO, then this wouldn't happen. And if Smart comes back with a large offer sheet from say, SAC, for 14M, then this probably wouldn't happen either.
So Danny will wait before pulling the trigger.