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The Swift Decision

Authored by Marcus James - July 18, 2005 - 1:08 am

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Coveted by the New Jersey Nets, Seattle Supersonics, and Houston Rockets—Stromile Swift seems to be demanding some attention—at the price of a hefty contract.

The New Jersey Nets are still in the midst of trying to pry Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the Portland Trailblazers, meanwhile the Sonics and Rockets are battling it out for the 6-9 LSU product. Fox News in Houston reported that Stromile Swift will make his decision between the three teams during the middle of next week.

What does that translate for the Houston Rockets?

Cough up the dough or Buh-Bye!

If Swift was strictly looking to win at a reasonable pay, Houston would have been his choice already. No questions asked. A starting salary at 5.5 million, and increasing by 10% for 5 years is what the Rockets can offer, a 5-year 28-million dollar contract. On top of that, Stromile Swift can form with the likes of All-Stars’ Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming the most formidable frontline, with the ages of Yao and Swift at 25, and McGrady 2 months ago turning 26. Swift is the piece the Rockets are desperately needing, an athletic, versatile four-spot player with youth.

Whatever the Rockets can do to lure Swift, they better, starting with McGrady’s demand of “ I Want Swift!” on NBC in Houston, maybe heading into the direction of Yao talking to Swift, or the coaching staff wheeling him in like the Phoenix Suns did with the MVP of this year, Steve Nash.

The Sonics and Nets can offer more money, but not necessarily a better winning atmosphere. The Sonics provide the most balance of the 3. They had a better record last season than Houston, and advanced further in the playoffs, but with nearly half their team as Free Agents, they aren’t looking the same..just to add their coach is gone,too.

The Nets feel they are a Power Forward away from being title contenders again. Well, they need to re-consider a lot, such as bench depth, and the health status of Jason Kidd, who underwent surgery from the likes of a Jamal Mashburn has been under, and you know the result.

Bottom Line:
If the Rockets don’t get any positive feedback from Stromile Swift or his agent, Mark Bartelstein within the next 1-2 days. They can kiss that dream of seeing Swift on the back of a Rockets’ jersey good-bye.