The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

August 24,

“Rockets get Francis in Three Team, Eleven Player Deal”

The Houston Rockets obtained the draft rights to G Steve Francis and F Tony Massenburg from the Vancouver Grizzlies plus F Don MacLean and a future first round draft pick from the Orlando Magic. The Grizzlies received F Othella Harrington, F Antoine Carr, G Michael Dickerson, G Brent Price, and a first round pick in 2000, 2001, or 2002 from the Rockets as well as a 2002 second round pick from the Magic. Orlando received F Michael Smith, F Makhtar Ndiaye, G Lee Mayberry, and G / F Rodrick Rhodes from Vancouver.

Notes:

• Carr, Massenburg, Mayberry, Ndiaye, Rhodes, and Smith are all eligible to become free agents next summer.
• The Rockets have the option when to send the pick to Vancouver. The pick is lottery protected in 2000 and 2001.

1999 - ‘00 Salaries:

Steve Francis, Hou: $3.02 M.

Tony Massenburg, Hou: $1 M.

Don MacLean, Hou.: $2.5 M.

Othella Harrington, Van.: $2.025 M.

Antoine Carr, Van.: $1.1 M.

Brent Price, Van.: $2.5 M.

Michael Dickerson, Van.: $1.24 M.

Michael Smith, Orl.: $2.3 M.

Makhtar Ndiaye, Orl.: $400 K.

Lee Mayberry, Orl.: $3.4 M.

Rodrick Rhodes, Orl.: $867 K.

Who got the better of the deal?

Vancouver.

Why?

Whether you agree with Steve Francis and his refusal to go play for Vancouver, this trade is a great deal for the Grizzlies. They obtained two potential starters in Harrington and Dickerson and veteran depth in Carr and Price for a player who did not want to play for them.

“This deal gives us two young, talented players and two veteran NBA, experienced players,” said General Manager Stu Jackson of the Grizzlies. “We improve our outside shooting, athleticism and provide overall team depth, and add some veteran leadership.”

While the core of the Grizzlies team is still quite young (small forward Shareef Abdur - Rahim is 21, center Bryant Reeves is 26, point guard Mike Bibby is 22, Dickerson is 24, shooting guard Felipe Lopez is 24, and Harrington is 25), the club now has a solid foundation. Dickerson, Bibby, and Lopez are all under contract for two more seasons while the other 3 players are under contract for at least the next 5 years.

Carr will back up Reeves at center and Price will be Bibby’s back up.

Dickerson, 6’5, has exceptional quickness and is a good spot up perimeter shooter. He needs to improve his drives and finishes at the basket.

Harrington, 6’9, is a great offensive rebounder. He also possesses a great work ethic. He is a solid low post scorer who needs to improve his passing out of double teams. He gives maximum effort every minute his on the court.

The Rockets needed to get younger and more athletic as well as create a spark of interest in their fans. Acquiring Francis solves all those needs.

Though slightly under 6’3, Francis has unbelievable leaping ability. He is a good floor leader with a great cross over dribble. He has quick hands and plays the passing lanes very well. He will be the Rockets’ new starting point guard.

Rockets’ Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich will have to adjust the plodding throw it down low offense in order to maximize Steve’s tremendous skills.

“We think in Steve Francis we’re getting probably the most exciting player in the draft,” Tomjanovich said. “He’s very explosive, great in the open court, very hard to contain because of his speed and quickness and just a super athlete, tremendous jumping ability.”

Massenburg, 6’8, is hard working physical forward. Last season, he played center in Vancouver while Reeves was out with injuries due to being overweight. Tony has decent range on his jump shot; but, he is a true professional who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work. He should back up Hakeem Olajuwon at center.

Don MacLean, 6’8, is a scorer and little else. He has an awkward shot release and he’s been injury prone for most of his career. He also has been known to speak his mind if he believes he’s not involved enough in the offense. He’s a good rebounder when he wants to be. He may not be a Rocket very long since he might be involved in another trade.

“We received some talented players in the deal, but we also got more salary cap flexibility,” Magic General Manager John Gabriel said.

Gabe is blowing smoke about Orlando acquiring ‘talented players’. It’s very unlikely any of the 4 players Orlando acquired will be on the November opening day roster. Mayberry is an adequate point guard who is best suited to come off the bench. Rhodes is a good defender with no offense. Smith is a great rebounder and a very hard worker. (In other words, Smith is a repeat of forwards Bo Outlaw and Ben Wallace who are already on the roster.) Ndiaye was a throw in for cap purposes.