Apologies if this has been posted, but as far as I know it's the most recent story out there. (Noon Wednesday, Beijing time... around midnight, Houston time?) http://sports.sohu.com/22/00/sports_news164530022.shtml Quick summary: Right after the Chinese basketball center announced it required a written agreement, Yao Ming's agent announces that Houston immediately said it was willing to provide one. Eric Zhang also suggested that such a letter was already being written. ... blah blah blah, yesterday Beijing announced it wanted a written agreement ... From Eric Zhang's perspective, this signed agreement will be on the desk of the Chinese basketball center very quickly. Eric Zhang says, "After the Rockets complete their letter, they will contact the Chinese authorities directly." This reporter has also learned that Yao Ming's other representive Li Huo has been negotiating since yesterday, and everything is reported to be going smoothly. Although the NBA does not have any kind of a rule on whether such an agreement is permitted, the Houston Rockets must submit its written agreement to the NBA headquarters for approval. Only after it is approved can it be delivered to the Chinese basketball authorities. .... other non-important stuff at the end ...
Yep, Good move RUDY and CD, send them the letter, tell them we are proud to be drafting Ming, and will do everything we can to work with the CBA in the future. Heck, we could have a CBA/Rockets pipeline for all future Chinese free agents. DaDakota