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he won't sign for the MLE.
July 7, 2005, 12:28AM
Rockets appeal to Swift
Forward believes he'd be a nice fit if price is right
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
For a while, Stromile Swift offered every sentiment the Rockets would have hoped he held, complete with several declarations that "I hope everything works out."
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He spoke of the Rockets' strengths and his own. He talked about his admiration for Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and mentioned his childhood hero, Hakeem Olajuwon.
Then he came to the bottom line, and that was, as the Rockets feared, the bottom line.
Swift, a free-agent power forward who arrived in Houston on Wednesday for meetings with Rockets officials today, sounded interested in jumping to the Rockets. But with the Rockets over the salary cap and unable to offer more than the mid-level exception — which is expected to start at about $5 million for the first season of a contract — Swift said he would have to consider the difference in his asking price and the Rockets' projected offer.
"A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said. "For me, I'm going to try to wait it out and weigh my options and see what's the best situation for me."
Swift, 25, said his goal was to find "a city where I'm comfortable and happy, get a long with the players and come to a winning situation."
"Just looking from the outside, I can see the chemistry. They have a good team, a good coaching staff," he said. "For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship.
"It would be a great opportunity for me to come in and play with guys of that caliber and just learn on the way while having fun."
Swift has met with New York Knicks officials, but he would not identify other teams he is considering.
The Rockets also have been in discussions with Swift's agent, Andy Miller, about forward Donyell Marshall, and with Mark Bartelstein, the agent for forwards Bobby Simmons and Antoine Walker. All are unrestricted free agents, but all expected to receive offers greater than the mid-level exception.
Bartelstein said Wednesday he had not scheduled a meeting with Rockets officials for either Simmons or Walker. As with their pursuit of Swift, however, the Rockets could seek a sign-and-trade deal with players' previous teams that would allow them to pay more than the mid-level exception.
Bartelstein said it was too early to have gotten into those discussions. But speaking of Walker, he said, "(Boston Celtics general manager) Danny Ainge knows Antoine's value. He has been willing to work with us before."
But today, the Rockets focus will be on Swift, 25, who has averaged nine points and five rebounds as a five-year veteran with the Memphis Grizzlies. He could bring the athleticism the Rockets would like to add to their frontcourt.
"I'll bring athleticism, shot-blocking, just getting out on the fast break and running the floor," Swift said. "I think that will help the team out a lot."
Houston would offer Swift a NBA city in relatively close proximity to his home in Shreveport, La.
"I think Houston is probably a much better city than (Memphis)," Swift said. "Hopefully everything works out. ... I'm just enjoying the process and hopefully it will be over soon."
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, if he might sign for the midlevel exception, WTF is Pop not trying to get this guy?
he won't sign for the MLE.
then why all the energy wasted going to visit Houston?
Why not? He'll visit every team that wants him to, gives him leverage. Someone is going to throw too much money at him.
If he goes to SA, he will get 5 million, he will not have to try to beat the Spurs, and he will be almost guarenteed 2-3 rings in the next few years.....what is not to love about those positives?
Those are his own words. He'll go to the highest bidder."A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said. "For me, I'm going to try to wait it out and weigh my options and see what's the best situation for me."
"For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship."
"Swift has met with New York Knicks officials"
Then why is he checking out the Knicks?
The Rockets can not give him more than 5 million, so he is not getting any leverage from that offer. Memphis can just offer 6 million and a cup of coffee and they will top Houston's only offer possibility.
"For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship."
"Swift has met with New York Knicks officials"
I was going to post the same quote and ask the same question, 1Parker1, you beat me to it.
"A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said.
I will gladly take $5million. If he was smart, he'd know that he could invest a portion of that money and let it build up interest while he's playing pro. $5million is LOT of money...plus he'd have a good chance for getting an NBA ring. I guess dollars>>>>NBA ring for him.
I'd rather have Scola then him. I couldn't stand his stupid signal for a season.
I was going to post the same quote and ask the same question, 1Parker1, you beat me to it.
So when he goes to the next team he'll show them the rockets MLE offer and tell them that is where the bidding starts.
"For me, I think that's something I want to be a part of, a winning team, and hopefully I can come in and add on to what they built here and try to help them try to bring home a championship."
"Swift has met with New York Knicks officials"
All the Grizzlies are offering Swift is a map showing him how to get out of town on I-40.
They could give Memphis Spoon and a pick. That way Swift's deal could start at over $8 million.The Rockets can not give him more than 5 million, so he is not getting any leverage from that offer.
It is all ego, players do not want it known that they are earning only 5 million when others of less talent earn 6-7 million, even thought there is no way that he could ever spend the 5 million in the first place."A lot of times people say the dollars aren't important, but they really are," Swift said.
He is young and championships are not as important to the young ones because they figure they can get one later in life like Massenburg and Big Dog did....but ask Malone and Sir Charles if that plan always works out.
Spoon??? I'd rather have the cup of Starbucks.
I'm not sure Memphis is really interested in a S&T deal for Swift. They don't need an undersized PF who'll do nothing but mess up their payroll plans, and Houston's pick is not that appealing since the Rockets likely will win 50 games a year for the rest of the decade.
The Grizz basically want to cut ties with Swift and move on.
Just an example. they have a couple of other expiring deals and could give the Grizz some cash as well to offset whatever they take back.Spoon??? I'd rather have the cup of Starbucks.
And you can always look for a third team to get involved.
Spoon??? I'd rather have the cup of Starbucks.
I agree with you, it is that if it were me, I would go to SA for the 5 million and become famous while winning championships every year.
Expiring contracts are useful in a trade for a player who has several years remaining on his contract, not in a sign-and-trade for a free agent. If the Grizz just let him walk, they get the payroll relief now.
Somebody would really have to make it worth Memphis's while to do a deal for Swift.
Young players generally don't give a about rings, relatively speaking. It's about the ducats.
What did Swift average last season anyways?
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