can anyone explain the Steve Francis to Memphis deal?

[Optimus Prime 4]

the grizz get francis, a second round pick in '09, cash, and the Rockets will pay Francis' salary, in return for....a conditional pick in '11?

Did they just want to get rid of him that badly? Hell, the grizz are showing signs of improvement, and point guard is the last thing they need I would think

 

[Seinfeld]

The deal actually makes a little sense for both teams (sort of)

The rockets get under the luxury tax threshold by dumping Franchise's salary.

For the Grizz, it was basically a charitable move but they did get their '09 second round pick back so there's at least some incentive. One thing I can just about guarantee is that Steve Francis will never play a game for either team again.

After reading about this move yesterday, I felt like looking at the Grizzlies' payroll situation for next year and I noticed that they'll be somewhere around $25 mil under the salary cap. That is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age of huge contracts. The trick will be getting big names to look at Memphis, but they've got enough money to sign either a superstar or even two pretty big name younger players and still be under the cap line.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

They will have a lot of money, plus, some big name teams will probably stay out of huge signings this year, since the following year will be the biggest free agent class in history, with Lebron, etc.

This may be their only chance to make some great moves.

 

[seshomoru]

The Rockets get to take Stevie Franchises's salary off whatever the amount that counts to the cap is. His contract is up at the end of the season. Memphis had a roster spot open, so Francis makes 14, which is the average number you have to have over the aggregate years of the bargaining agreement. They, in effect, swap 2nd round picks in '09 and '11 and the Griz get some cash.

So in summary, Memphis had room in their trash can, and the Rockets paid them rent to use that space for the rest of the season.

 

[Seinfeld]

Although I'd love to have Carmelo, Wade, Bosh, or LeBron, I'm going to stop getting my hopes up being that even mediocre players like to take jabs regarding playing in Memphis. Therefore, if there was ever an offseason for the Grizz to make a splash, this would be it.

I feel like Boozer is the exact type player that Memphis needs, but his injuries and attitude worry me. He's made it very obvious from his early days that it's all about the $$$ for him. If not Boozer, Bynum would be a great catch, but I'm sure the Lakers will match anything that isn't max money and he's obviously not worth anywhere near max money yet. Seems like the most logical player would be someone like Okur to help out at the 4.

I also wouldn't mind going after Andre Miller, Bibby, or Rip. Although none of them are getting any younger, we're in desperate need of veteran players at the guard spots. And by "veteran", I don't mean Greg Buckner and Quinton Ross. Jesus... The fact that Lowery is now beating out Mike Conley for playing time shows me that the organization is not sold on either at point guard.

A few other interesting names - David Lee, Jason Maxiell, Nate Robinson, Varejao, Dre Gooden, Jamal Crawford

I left Granger off because there's no way Indiana let's him go anywhere

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Add on top of that recent history tells us that players tend not to leave their teams and just sign new deals with them. The really big roster changes have been in trades. The only way they might get a good player is a sign and trade and through the draft. Memphis will always be a loser until they leave the city when their lease is up.

 

[Seinfeld]

Memphis will always be a loser until they leave the city when their lease is up

Then I'll believe this.

Players tend to sign with their old teams because the old teams can offer more money than anyone else. However, what if those teams choose not to spend it in order to hold out hope of signing LeBron, Wade, etc next year? History also shows that players will go just about anywhere if the price is right and Memphis will be one of the few teams with a bunch of money to spend this offseason.

Heisley and Walsh may lay an egg this summer and if they do, then I officially give up. They'll have no better opportunity than this year and if they don't generate excitement, then this team is as good as gone. No matter whether it's college, pro, or somewhere in between, Memphis fans are about as fairweather as they come.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

they have a great core of young players, and while maybe they can't get a huge name, they could pick up two good players. Enough to dramatically improve the team next year. They are stuck in Memphis for a while, so they may as well try to win there.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Heisley is still in a cost cutting move because he wants to sell the team. Thats going to dictate what they do in the offseason.

 

[BlindDawg]

I can't remember who all is available after this season. Rip, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, and probably Kobe (although he'll re-sign with the Lakers) are the only guys I can think of that are available after this year, but the Grizz likely won't sign anyone big this offseason in hopes of landing one or a couple from the LeBron, Bosh, Wade FA class in 2010. Nearly every team seems to be clearing space for that class right now so spending this offseason will likely be minimum because no one wants to tie up money that could be spent the next offseason.