<i>Before accepting Rice, Rockets want draft pick, too By BRIAN McTAGGART Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle The Rockets are expected to give the go-ahead today on their deal with the New York Knicks for Glen Rice but are seeking additional compensation because of Rice's lingering foot injury. According to sources, the Rockets have been in "cordial" talks with the Knicks in hopes of landing a draft pick to go with Rice, who last season played through plantar fasciaitis and still experiences pain. Both sides remain optimistic the trade will go through. Rice, 34, was traded to the Rockets last Friday in a three-team deal that saw Shandon Anderson go to the Knicks and Howard Eisley go from the Mavericks to the Knicks. The Rockets on Tuesday canceled a news conference planned to introduce Rice. The Rockets said they wanted more time to review Rice's medical records, but much of the concern seems to be on his prognosis for the next couple of months. Because Rice's foot problem might linger into the season, the Rockets are seeking a draft pick as additional compensation. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the pick cannot be conditional on how much Rice plays for the Rockets this season, and it could come from the Mavericks. The Rockets also can choose to void the trade and send Rice back to the Knicks, which would leave Anderson a free agent. The Rockets have until noon today to decide what they want to do. Although injured, Rice missed just six games last season with the Knicks, but he did have his practice time substantially reduced. He spent the first six weeks of the offseason in a soft cast. When reached at his South Florida home on Thursday, Rice declined to talk to the Chronicle. His agent, Jeff Wexler, didn't return phone messages. The Rockets said Wednesday that they finally had received all medical records on Rice's injured foot from previous examinations and had passed on the information to their team doctors to analyze. Rice underwent a physical with Rockets team doctors Monday before returning home Tuesday following the cancellation of the news conference. Eisley and Anderson reportedly have passed their physicals. Because Rice voiced his displeasure with his role on a team full of small forwards when he was traded, the Knicks might be willing to work with the Rockets and send further compensation to make sure the trade goes through and avoid turmoil if Rice returns. The trade came three months after the Knicks' Latrell Sprewell said Rice and teammate Allan Houston couldn't coexist and urged management to clear up the situation before the coming season. Houston signed a six-year, $100.4 million extension in July. Even though Anderson signed a six-year, $42 million deal with the Rockets before being dealt, he would become a free agent if the trade falls through and might be hard pressed to find that much money on the open market. Eisley also would return to the Mavericks from the Knicks, and Muggsy Bogues would return to the Knicks from the Mavericks.</i>
If they can get an extra pick out of the Knicks, great. I wonder, however, how it would effect future dealings with NY or any other team if we manage to screw over NY in such a manner.
Jeff, I am confused as to why you sent my forum about the Rice injury to the Hangout. It has had 1630 views and is pertinent to the current situation with the Rockets. Just because it does not interest you does not mean that it is meaningless to anyone who is a Rockets fan. Look at the other topics in the hangout and you should be able to see that you made a mistake putting it over there. No hard feelings but was a bit confused at the move. Anyhow, just heard on t.v. that deal is to go through tomorrow w/us receiving a pick.
Not like its a really big deal, New York would just have blown it anyway. Eric Chenowith? What the hell?
waltsucks, have your read through your thread? The topic got sidetracked midway through, and became a pharmaceutical/medical discussion having nothing to do with the Rockets. Plus it's not like the hangout forum is banishment! Its gotten responses there, too. Now you might have cause to complain if it was moved to the Buy/Trade/Sell forum.
