Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Insider: Rockets asking Michael Bradley be included in any swap for Dream

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by The Cat, Jul 24, 2001.

Page 1 of 2

The Cat Member

Joined:

Jan 24, 2000

Messages:

20,819

Likes Received:

5,347

This apparently has the Raptors balking as well...

Olajuwon's becoming a tiresome Dream

With 17-year veteran Hakeem Olajuwon suddenly becoming all the rage, the very team that started the frenzy may now be having second thoughts.

The Raptors, who started the mess by reportedly offering Olajuwon a four-year, $22 million contract (later we found out is wasn't all guaranteed), may now be cooling to the veteran.

With the Pacers, Knicks and the Cavaliers all entering the angling for Olajuwon, there is concern that the bidding for the Dream is turning into a nightmare. Furthermore, the Raptors remain privately concerned about Olajuwon's health.

According to the Toronto Star, the team dispatched a scout to Houston to have a first-hand look at the Dream in action. There are conflicting reports about his level of fitness this summer. The Raptors want him badly, but not if he's out of shape or unable to contribute in a significant way.

The Raptors may be in the best situation financially to get Olajuwon. They own a $5 million dollar trade exception from the Charles Oakley trade. However, a source close to the Rockets told Insider that Houston has insisted that rookie Michael Bradley be included in any swap for the Dream. That has the Raptors balking.

The Pacers also remain in hot pursuit. Coach Isiah Thomas is pushing Indiana to make a big splash this summer. However, the Pacers would likely have to do a sign-and-trade to make a deal. Ditto for the Knicks, who are in Houston today meeting with Hakeem.

Cavs coach John Lucas also showed interest, but Cleveland has Olajuwonless than $2 million in cap room and Olajuwon has made it clear he wants to play for a team that will be competing for a championship.

Of course, don't count out the Rockets. They want to re-sign him and continue to work toward that end. However, they are becoming more and more pressed to do something quickly. The rest of their free agents, including Maurice Taylor and Shandon Anderson, are getting restless. They can't wait for forever for the Dream to make up his mind.

------------------
Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!

The Mo Taylor Fan Site

#1 The Cat, Jul 24, 2001

RocksMillenium Member

Joined:

Dec 28, 2000

Messages:

10,018

Likes Received:

508

Toronto is just getting greedy now. They have all of these big men, and will get a veteran big man but don't want to give up anything in return? They better give Houston a big man, or Houston will sign-and-trade Dream to somewhere else.

------------------
"Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another."

- Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air

#2 RocksMillenium, Jul 24, 2001
NJRocket Member

Joined:

Jul 23, 2001

Messages:

7,242

Likes Received:

27

Unfortunately, the fact that Toronto wont part with Bradley (unproven as of yet) tells us that Hakeem isn't worth a mid first round pick. That said, I would be surprised if we are happy with what we end up getting for hakeem if we do a S&T

------------------

#3 NJRocket, Jul 24, 2001
Drew_Le Member

Joined:

Jun 15, 2001

Messages:

718

Likes Received:

78

Michael Bradley would be a great pick up for the rockets. he is a good scorer on the block

------------------
What is the difference between Kelvin Cato and Macey Gray??

Macey has bigger hair

#4 Drew_Le, Jul 24, 2001
The Cat Member

Joined:

Jan 24, 2000

Messages:

20,819

Likes Received:

5,347

This rumor is dead now... apparently Michael Bradley signed with Toronto yesterday, so this wouldn't be possible until December 15 I don't think.

It's in the Toronto Star, but I can't get my link to work...

------------------
Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!

The Mo Taylor Fan Site

[This message has been edited by The Cat (edited July 24, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by The Cat (edited July 24, 2001).]

#5 The Cat, Jul 24, 2001
SuperS32 Member

Joined:

Jul 4, 2000

Messages:

928

Likes Received:

26

Screw Bradley, I WANT CLARK!!

------------------
__ Ñ _ _ _
/_ ______ _ \
ÝÝÝÝl____| * |___ lÝÝÝÝ
¡,.-ñý¯Çi ¡,.-ñ~ñ~ñ-.,¡ `¯ýñ-.,

#6 SuperS32, Jul 24, 2001
Jeff Clutch Crew

Joined:

Feb 14, 1999

Messages:

22,412

Likes Received:

362

However, they are becoming more and more pressed to do something quickly. The rest of their free agents, including Maurice Taylor and Shandon Anderson, are getting restless. They can't wait for forever for the Dream to make up his mind.

THIS is exactly what bugs me about this whole thing. Can anyone imagine how bad it would be if, for some reason, we waited for Hakeem to the point that all our own guys decided, "To hell with this!"???

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

------------------
Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? I am, aren't I?

#7 Jeff, Jul 24, 2001

Dallas Rocket Member

Joined:

Jun 17, 2001

Messages:

1,143

Likes Received:

7

Jeff, I'm with you 100% on this one. Unless they have some pretty "in place" tacit agreements with Taylor, Mooch etc, the Rockets are playing Russian Roulette with a gun that is controlled by Hakeem/agent. I hope Thursday's press conference is tantamount to a deadline: if Dream not signed by then, we will renounce him, sign our key FA's, and then shore up the center position in other ways.

#8 Dallas Rocket, Jul 24, 2001
Bangladesh880 Member

Joined:

Jul 24, 2001

Messages:

19

Likes Received:

0

Michael Bradley will amount to being NOTHING in the NBA and we are better off starting Cato (if you can believe that ) than we are in making Bradley our primary post man. I would much rather get Keon Clark.

------------------

#9 Bangladesh880, Jul 24, 2001
Mr.Scary Member

Joined:

Jan 31, 2001

Messages:

907

Likes Received:

77

Let them keep Bradley. I would rather have Clark.

------------------
"I may be mistaken, but I'm never wrong" -Barkley

#10 Mr.Scary, Jul 24, 2001
barbourdg Member

Joined:

Jun 9, 2000

Messages:

1,271

Likes Received:

1

What bugs me is that Toronoto just signed Bradley yesterday. If they were in serious S&T negotiations with the Rockets, why would they sign the person the Rockets wanted. If they did not want to give Bradley straight up, perhaps the Rockets could of thrown in another player (or draft picks).

I wonder if Bradley is a bluff, and the Rockets really want Keon? Remember this is the same Toronto team that was offering """10X more"""" 2 years ago for a 36 (past prime) center???? Why would they be worried offering one unproven rookie?

------------------

#11 barbourdg, Jul 24, 2001
DieHard Rocket Member

Joined:

Sep 9, 2000

Messages:

9,413

Likes Received:

1,161

I have a feeling that Clark is the guy that the Rockets really want, and thats why this is not really getting anywhere. The only other thing that they can offer are picks, and that just isn't enough. I'm just ready for it to end, wherever Dream ends up. However I think we still have quite a wait ahead of us.

------------------
Who needs teachers? I can learn my own self.

#12 DieHard Rocket, Jul 24, 2001
Viper272 Member

Joined:

Jul 8, 2001

Messages:

67

Likes Received:

0

thats what I'm sayying barbourdg....but its a bit differant here....that trade could have been the littlest they could give in return with Rocks interested. Now they can offer crap players or try and sign him straight up.

------------------
yeah aight whatever

#13 Viper272, Jul 24, 2001

JayZ750 Member

Joined:

May 16, 2000

Messages:

25,432

Likes Received:

13,390

You can never have too many bigmen, but Toronto needs to trade us one of theirs. Antonio Davis, Keon Clark, Jerome Williams, Michael Bradley. And they want to add Hakeem. Getting Hakeem for Bradley would be a steal for them. He hasnt proven anything, and at best will be a Michael Doleac type player, though likely worse. Rockets are probably pushing for Clark.

------------------
American business long ago gave up on demanding that prospective employees be honest and hardworking. It has even stopped hoping for employees who are educated enough that they can tell the difference between the men's room and the women's room without having little pictures on the doors.

#14 JayZ750, Jul 24, 2001
SlamN Member

Joined:

Feb 17, 1999

Messages:

379

Likes Received:

0

Not a big fan of Mo Pete, he doesn't seem like a superstar only a solid player/contributor. Still a good track record, too bad they can't keep any of those guys.

Clark is the only player available to trade since Bradley just signed and so did Williams and Davis. Not a bad player but not someone who can bang inside 40+ minutes per game for 82 games. They also have N'diaye, Michael Stewart and Montross (please no). N'diaye could be a Nazr Mohammed or a bust. Can Skinner be traded?

------------------

[This message has been edited by SlamN (edited July 24, 2001).]

#15 SlamN, Jul 24, 2001
NJRocket Member

Joined:

Jul 23, 2001

Messages:

7,242

Likes Received:

27

Just an FYI...the Raptors actually drafted Jamison and then traded his rights to G St for Carters

------------------

#16 NJRocket, Jul 24, 2001
SlamN Member

Joined:

Feb 17, 1999

Messages:

379

Likes Received:

0

Usually in trades like that on draft day one team drafts for the other...like what the Rockets and Nets did this past year.

------------------

#17 SlamN, Jul 24, 2001
UTrocket Member

Joined:

Jun 29, 1999

Messages:

167

Likes Received:

2

That IS an impressive draft record but you have to remember that up until the last couple years the Raptors were picking pretty high. It is still hit or miss up that high but I imagine its a bit more likely your going to draft a good player high than low.

------------------

#18 UTrocket, Jul 24, 2001

NJRocket Member

Joined:

Jul 23, 2001

Messages:

7,242

Likes Received:

27

In addition, it was Isaiah Thomas who made the call on drafting mighty mouse and camby

------------------
Good point UT

[This message has been edited by NJRocket (edited July 24, 2001).]

#19 NJRocket, Jul 24, 2001
Art Vandelei Member

Joined:

Jul 22, 2001

Messages:

10

Likes Received:

0

True, NJ. But I beleive the scouting staff remained the same from the Isiah's days...Including Glen Grunwald, who was then an assistant GM.

Oh, and good point as well UT, however only 1 of those players was a top 5 draft choice (Camby).

------------------

[This message has been edited by Art Vandelei (edited July 24, 2001).]

#20 Art Vandelei, Jul 24, 2001

(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Page 1 of 2

Share This Page