This is interesting... apparently Dream being out of the country and unable to talk negotiations is causing us to stall on other contract negotiations until he gets back. Mavericks like Norris By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle The Mavericks have made Rockets guard Moochie Norris their initial free-agent target, inviting him to take a recruiting trip to Dallas. Norris said the contact has been with his agent and that he has not decided whether he would look into signing with the Mavericks. "I haven't decided whether to go up there or not yet," Norris said. "I'm going to try to work things out here first." The Mavericks are over the salary cap and could only offer Norris a cap-exception contract expected to be worth about $4.5 million next season. The Rockets hold "early Bird" rights on Norris, allowing them to exceed the salary cap to keep him. An "early Bird" contract" next season is expected to be worth about the same as an exception contract, but with a maximum of 12 percent raises each season for up to seven years. The Rockets have made keeping their own free agents their priority. Because Hakeem Olajuwon's cap space is considered $24.5 million, the Rockets are limited in contractual negotiations with their players until they reach an agreement with Olajuwon. "You can talk," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "But there's a lot of things we don't know yet. Dream's not here right now." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/959113 ------------------ EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more! The Mo Taylor Fan Site
The Cat, as usual, is all over the chronicle tonight. They must release it on the web at ten-thirty. On topic: I'm not worried about Moochie going anywhere, he knows Houston is best for him. Unless someone offers him something unreasonalbe, he should be back. ------------------ Who needs teachers? I can learn my own self.
If Hakeem is gone for to much longer, I would be pissed off if I was Rudy & Co. He knows that this is one of the biggest off seasons in Rockets history. I wonder if his A**HOLE agent, told him to disapear, to make Houston more hungry. (I dont think Hakeem would personally do this, but I think Feagan would). If Feagan is holding the keys, why do they not just deal with that idiot. I am sure he is going to play hardball and want a 5 year 50 million contract or something. I just can not see him giving into a 5-6 million contract with team option on the 2nd year. It will never happen, unless Hakeem accepts it. I wonder if we do not give Shandon a 5 million plus contract and starting position guaranteed, if Feagan will then try to manipulate Hakeem on his future. I just see Feagan as the type of person that is going to DELAY & DELAY until he gets the money he wants for himself (his cut). The Rockets should be more interested in Mo and finding a backup Center in case Hakeem does not return. (you never know he might get hurt before the season even starts). If they are worried about money, trade Cato and work out a deal for one of Magic's extra rookie centers: Haywood or Hunter. As far as Hakeem, the Rockets already know how much they can afford to give Hakeem, probably 5-6 million? I would love to have Hakeem back, but after all his demands for a trade, and no hometown discount. I just lost alot of respect for him. ------------------
Hakeem didn't have to go to Jordan to get lost. I would assume that this is part of his required Muslim religious activity. The official signing date is not for 2 weeks. The closer we get to that date and he has not closed a deal, then I will become more anxious. ------------------
The Rockets will be negotiating through Feagan but in this day and age of world-wide celluar communication I don't think it would matter where on the planet Hakeem is. When can Hakeem's contract be reounced? Wouldn't signing him or renouncing have the same effect for clearing cap space. Maybe CD will sign the others first and tell Hakeem "we have 6 mil left, 5 for salary, 1 for a bonus and a team option at 6 for next year, we sure hope you want to finish your career as a Rocket" ------------------ consciousness is the awareness of awareness
Gene--the Rockets CANNOT sign the other players first without renouncing Hakeem's rights. If we do that, then Hakeem will lose his Bird rights. One of the major reasons the Rockets have a leg up on other teams (that have a better chance at a title) is that Hakeem could sign for anything with Houston. If we renounce him, that all goes out the window, and the chances of bringing the Dream back dwindle substantially. ------------------
Bima , they aren't going to give him Bird money anyway for 20 minutes and 50 games. Cheebs, what's the plan? ------------------ consciousness is the awareness of awareness
First, he wanted to be traded or waived (so he can play for someone else). Then, he wanted to come back another couple of seasons for about $10 million per year. Now, he's out of the country and the Rockets can't negotiate with other FAs until the this situation is resolved. Don't know about the rest of you guys but I have lost a lot of respect for Hakeem. ------------------
I Should be getting some ZZZZZ's, but I don't think that CD and the Rocks are going to be fooled by Hakeem not being there when Rudy called. It certainly isn't going drive up his market value. Still hoping "Dream" signs. But, hey lets be reasonable. ------------------
Surely we can still negotiate with other FA's - it just means that the decision on Dream will have to be made late - either he re-signs at $X or not at all... they need to make the moves on signing Mo again! ------------------
From the info above, it appears that the Rockets won't know how much money they will have to spend on others until the Hakeem situation is resolved. So all they can really do now with the other FAs they are chasing is express interest but no offers. Hopefully, Hakeem will get in touch with the Rockets or return from his vacation soon. ------------------
Can't the Rockets just talk to his agent and get a ballpark figure to what Dream's expecting salary-wise? ------------------ This post contains no smilies, you must judge my seriousness on your own... "I'm a Level 18 mage, wanna form a party?" -- Dr of Geekdom in search of a Dungeons and Dragons buddy...
Don't cell phones work in Jordan??? ------------------ How the hell should I know why God would allow the Holocaust. I don't even know how the electric can opener works. - from Hannah and Her Sisters
Well the traded or waived thing was cleared up last season. The money he can ask for may be partly out of pride and his agent. I will admit Hakeem is responsible for hiring that jerk agent of his. If Hakeem is out of the country for religious reasons, and convictions it only increases my respect for him. It's refreshing that something means more to him than money, unlike so many other atheletes. So I haven't really lost very much respect him. ------------------
That's easy to say when his religous beliefs only affected HIM! Is it fair if affects OTHER people, especially if they don't have the same beliefs as Dream? ------------------ "Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat!" - Jesse Ventura [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited July 03, 2001).]
Doesn't Jordan have phones or fax machines? Right now, it appears that the Rockets have no way in contacting him. Hakeem surely knows the position his contract is putting the Rockets in...afterall we even know. ------------------
It's a matter of priorities. If he holds his beliefs above basketball, money etc. I will respect that, even if it's not what I would do. It seems to me that he gets blamed for being money hungry and greedy, then when he puts the mid-east ahead of money discussions he gets slammed for that too. I am super eager for the Rockets to sign the free agents and then get the season rolling! It looks to be an exciting one. I wish he was here so talks could get underway as well. I hate waiting, but at the same time I will respect Hakeem's faith. Also Free Agents can't be signed before July 18th no matter what. So I think there is still plenty of time. ------------------
If you had 2 identical contracts, one froma team that contacted you July 1st and made you feel like they really wanted you there and one from a team that contacted you July 15th after pursuing another FA (which it may have signed or failed to sign)...which team would you rather sign with on July 18th? That is my biggest worry. ------------------
