New York unloaded a lot more money on Thursday in hopes of landing LeBron.
Here is what transpired:
New York gained: Tracy McGrady and PG Sergio Rodriguez
New York lossed: Jordan Hill, Jarred Jeffries and draft consideratoins in 2011 and 2012
Houston gained: Kevin Martin and C Hilton Armstrong and draft considerations from NY in 2011 and 2012 Jarred Jeffries and Jordan Hill
Houston lossed: Tracy McGrady Cal Landry and Joey Dorsey
Sacremento gained: Cal Landry, Joey Dorsey, Larry Hughes
Sacramento lossed: Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong
New York is taking a gamble, but a good one. What they got isn't working. They have a lot of contracts that are going to expire and unloaded more salary. So, they will have enough money to sign 2 free agents the maximum. LeBron James is the first choice. The other could be McGrady as he gets to audition for the big money for the next 30 games. That is smart for all parties involved. New York gets to see if McGrady is a fit. McGrady gets to prove how good he is. And, Houston is rid of his contract and got something out of it.
Sacramento puzzled me a little here. They unloaded Martin's salary of 10 mil per year. But, for how good he is, that is a bargain. Larry Hughes is up and down. They did get some youthful talent in Landry and Dorsey, but that wasn't worth Martin.
The big winner was Houston. They are in the playoff hunt and just got better now and for the future. They got Kevin Martin, a guy who is immediately there go to guy. That was SMART. They gave up proven inside talent Landry for potential inside talent in Hill. Hill could be better in time. That get weaker for now, but Martin makes up for it. Hilton Armstrong provides some size which they currently have none. Houston did very very good today.
Keywords: basketball, houston rockets, kevin martin, knicks, lebron james, mcgrady, nba, new york, playoffs, sacramento kings, trades
