Paul Allen, owner of the Trail Blazers, is writing his life story in a book entitled Idea Man. Apparently, Allen had the chance at some point to trade Clyde for Hakeem and decided not to pull the trigger: Thought posters here might find it interesting....
I actually find the anecdote about Gates and Ballmer trying to cut him out of Microsoft a little more interesting. I'm sure there are TONS of deals like the Clyde for Hakeem swap that are discussed amongst owners, if not just for sh!ts and giggles. Us fans are only privy to what the media is able to pry from the owners in interviews.
In 1982 Clyde Drexler and Hakeem were both Cougars. I wonder what year this trade actually didn't go down.
The deal you always hear about is Clyde for Ralph and the #2 pick, which the Rockets would have used to draft Jordan. The Blazers just wanted Sam Bowie too bad to pull the trigger, hah.
yep I caught that too, I saw 1982 and I thought, they were both in college, but the article doesnt specify at what year he turned down the deal.
I read a Biography of Hakeem on this way back in the day. The Rockets drafted Hakeem and told him that they planned on trading him because Portland really wanted a center. It was actually Portland offered the Rockets: 2nd pick + Drexler for the Rockets choice of Hakeem or Ralph Sampson. Obviously at the time Ralph Sampson was ridiculously good, but the I believe book said the Rockets thought through the deal and decided to pass on it, but I could be wrong on that. Anyways it would've been Drexler, Jordan, and Ralph Sampson, BUT it could've been Drexler, Jordan, and Hakeem. Had that happened, I believe Jordan would've been hindered seeing how him and Drexler play the same position and Drexler was already very good in the NBA, Jordan would've been the 6th man.
The Drexler + #2 deal is a separate deal. Allen bought the Blazers in 1988 so it probably was a different deal altogether. IIRC Olajuwon and the Rockets FO had some differences--to say the least--in the late 80s and early 80s where Olajuwon was being shopped around.
FWIW, I don't think the Rockets would have made the 1986 Finals without both Ralph and Hakeem, even if they had Jordan and Drexler.