Most of us are most interested in what the Phoenix Suns will do this summer, but we also need to hope that our competitors don't improve too much. Unfortunately the Western Conference is chock full of very competitive teams. I hope the Houston Rockets go after someone like Antoine Walker. He's a pretty good, well-rounded offensive player. However he shoots a low percentage, and he is a horrid defender.
Rockets drawing interest
High-priced free agents may visit with team
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Beginning with the stroke of midnight, the Rockets found the offer of playing time in a frontcourt between Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady really would be viewed as attractive to free agents capable of earning more tangible rewards.
Forwards Antoine Walker, Stromile Swift and Bobby Simmons were interested in Houston as a possible free-agent destination, their agents said Friday, with each considering setting up visits to meet with Rockets officials next week.
Donyell Marshall also could be interested, but his agent Andy Miller said he had not discussed with Marshall the initial conversation with Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson and that as an 11-year veteran Marshall would likely not be making trips to visit interested teams.
Because the Rockets are over the salary cap, they can only offer the mid-level exception, expected to be worth roughly $5 million for the first season, barring a sign-and-trade arrangement. The free agents they initially reached out to could receive larger offers, but each seemed open to considering the Rockets.
"Houston is a viable option," Miller said when asked about Marshall and Swift's options. "Any time you have a chance to be vying for a championship, you compare that to what the marketplace might bear."
Marshall plan
In 11 seasons, Marshall, 32, has averaged 12.4 points per game on 44 percent shooting, 35.4 percent from the 3-point arc. Marshall, a 6-9 forward, averaged 7.3 rebounds.
Swift, 25, has spent most of his five seasons with the Grizzlies playing behind Pau Gasol. He has averaged nine points on 46.8 percent shooting, and five rebounds in an average of 21 minutes per game.
Walker, 28, also seems likely to receive offers greater than the trade exception. He earned $14.6 million last season with the Hawks and Celtics.
Like Marshall, he would bring the shooting range to power forward that the Rockets have sought. In nine seasons, he has averaged 19.8 points on 41.5 percent shooting, 32.5 percent from the 3-point arc. He has averaged 8.6 rebounds.
"We talked in the middle of the night about Antoine," his agent Mark Bartelstein said. "They could do a sign-and-trade. But I will say this, the Rockets are a great organization. They have a lot of great pieces. He sees Houston as a terrific young team with two great players. Antoine sees them as a championship-contending team, and he is looking for a chance to contend for championships. We may set something up next week."
Simmons improved
Though he is a small forward/shooting guard, the Rockets have shown interest in Simmons, voted the league's most improved player last season after averaging 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Clippers. Simmons, 25, made 46.6 percent of his shots and 43.5 percent of his 3-pointers. But he is a restricted free agent, allowing the Clippers to match offers and making a mid-level exception unlikely to be sufficient.
"We talked a couple times today, but there is a lot of interest in Bobby," Bartelstein said. "It would be tough (to get Simmons for the mid-level exception)."
Rockets drawing interest
High-priced free agents may visit with team
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Beginning with the stroke of midnight, the Rockets found the offer of playing time in a frontcourt between Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady really would be viewed as attractive to free agents capable of earning more tangible rewards.
Forwards Antoine Walker, Stromile Swift and Bobby Simmons were interested in Houston as a possible free-agent destination, their agents said Friday, with each considering setting up visits to meet with Rockets officials next week.
Donyell Marshall also could be interested, but his agent Andy Miller said he had not discussed with Marshall the initial conversation with Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson and that as an 11-year veteran Marshall would likely not be making trips to visit interested teams.
Because the Rockets are over the salary cap, they can only offer the mid-level exception, expected to be worth roughly $5 million for the first season, barring a sign-and-trade arrangement. The free agents they initially reached out to could receive larger offers, but each seemed open to considering the Rockets.
"Houston is a viable option," Miller said when asked about Marshall and Swift's options. "Any time you have a chance to be vying for a championship, you compare that to what the marketplace might bear."
Marshall plan
In 11 seasons, Marshall, 32, has averaged 12.4 points per game on 44 percent shooting, 35.4 percent from the 3-point arc. Marshall, a 6-9 forward, averaged 7.3 rebounds.
Swift, 25, has spent most of his five seasons with the Grizzlies playing behind Pau Gasol. He has averaged nine points on 46.8 percent shooting, and five rebounds in an average of 21 minutes per game.
Walker, 28, also seems likely to receive offers greater than the trade exception. He earned $14.6 million last season with the Hawks and Celtics.
Like Marshall, he would bring the shooting range to power forward that the Rockets have sought. In nine seasons, he has averaged 19.8 points on 41.5 percent shooting, 32.5 percent from the 3-point arc. He has averaged 8.6 rebounds.
"We talked in the middle of the night about Antoine," his agent Mark Bartelstein said. "They could do a sign-and-trade. But I will say this, the Rockets are a great organization. They have a lot of great pieces. He sees Houston as a terrific young team with two great players. Antoine sees them as a championship-contending team, and he is looking for a chance to contend for championships. We may set something up next week."
Simmons improved
Though he is a small forward/shooting guard, the Rockets have shown interest in Simmons, voted the league's most improved player last season after averaging 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Clippers. Simmons, 25, made 46.6 percent of his shots and 43.5 percent of his 3-pointers. But he is a restricted free agent, allowing the Clippers to match offers and making a mid-level exception unlikely to be sufficient.
"We talked a couple times today, but there is a lot of interest in Bobby," Bartelstein said. "It would be tough (to get Simmons for the mid-level exception)."
