The New York Times reported today that the Knicks were having trade discussions with the Wizards about Ewing for Juwan Howard. I know that we have all said that Juwan Howard could not be traded to the Rockets because of his large salary, but he is only signed for one more year than Olajuwon and the money is about the same for both players. Lets face it, the Rockets are playing well right now and it has nothing to do with Hakeem. In fact, the Rockets IMHO are better when Hakeem is not on the floor. Now this may change as Hakeem gets into game shape (which he clearly is not in), but what is Hakeem's upside at this point? I don't think that he will add anything to next year's team. Howard, on the other hand, could be a very useful player for the Rockets for the next two years and he would really solidify the forward position. And remember, he is only signed for two more seasons after this season. Consequently, the Rockets are not tying themselves down to a large contract for a long time. Finally, Howard is only 27 yrs old. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, I know about the loyalty issue. But does anyone here really want to see Hakeem lumbering down the court for another season after this? The Rockets need a post option. Hakeem doesn't really meet this need anymore. Howard does. Everyone here is talking about the Rockets maybe making the playoffs this year. Well, getting Howard may be the best way to do that. Ok, so based on all of this, why does Michael Jordan even make this move. Jordan clearly wants to free up salary cap room. He only has one more year of Olajuwon. Moreover, the Wizards are not a running team in the same way that the Rockets are. Consequently, Hakeem may be better suited for their offensive game. Finally, and I think that this is the key, maybe a trade like this will get Hakeem to retire at the end of the season. He can say that he is retiring for injury reasons, and the Wizards can try to get the injury exemption from the league. I don't think that Hakeem will retire next year if he is still with the Rockets. He may retire if he is traded.
No... ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
Dream would get pissed and then baulk. He might retire at the end of this year though and we could get Duncan. I guess.
Juwon Howard Blows. has NO game..and he is hardly worth that hefty contract. also.. let Dream retire in Houston. -Elie#17
Nice take, Tod. I would consider trading Hakeem. But not for Juwon Howard. The guy is a headcase, he's overpaid, and his game truly blows. If another Hakeem trade like the Toronto deal in the offseason comes around, well then... LET'S PULL THE TRIGGER! ------------------ Bring It!!
In my mind, all discussion about trading Dream should be stopped automatically, The answer is always "NO",as he is the symbol of this team. He is untradable.Don't touch him even think about it please.
Good to see you tod (BTW, I've always wanted to ask -- did you accidentally misspell the name Todd when you registered or want to go with "Tod"?) For me, removing the loyalty factor, I would do the deal if that contract Howard has was not such a joke. It was a panic contract at a time when salaries went nuts. He's having a decent year at 15 and 5, but the contract (7 years, $105 million) still doesn't finish until 2003. These days the name of the game is cap flexibility and the Rockets will have it in a year and some change. I would be against this deal for that reason.
Rocketman: Based on this season, do you really think that another team is going to offer us a deal for Olajuwon like we got over the past summer. The only teams that are going to offer us players are teams like the Wizards who want to get rid of players that they believe are overpriced -- who are themselves trying to rebuild. There aren't going to be many options like Howard during the offseason. I think that this goes down as a "what do we have to lose" kind of trade. Olajuwon is doing nothing for the team right now. Next year he is only going to be older. I don't think that Howard's game blows. He is a career 10+ ppg scorer, he shoots around 50%, and he gets nearly 8 rebounds a game (from the small forward position). Plus, he can be a solid contributor for the team. The downside is that we have to pay him for two years, but this is only one more year than Olajuwon. Meanwhile, the team continues to improve by bringing in young players through the draft. And by signing Howard, we can actually have a quality veteran in the starting five instead of another rookie.
Clutch: Its good to be back. I have been lurking for a couple of weeks. I just havn't had much to say. The recent wins have been very good, however. Are you sure about for how long Howard is signed. The New York Times today said that "Howard is in the fifth year of a seven-year $105 million deal." As to Tod vs. Todd. When I originally registered, I signed up as Todd the Bod, but promptly forgot my password, so I resigned up as Tod the Bod. Since then, I've just gone with it. When I post at Astrosconnection.Com I post as Todd the Bod. I am many, I am one. [This message has been edited by tod the bod (edited February 02, 2000).]
How do the Rockets get Duncan if Dream retires this year? Dream's salary would still count against the Rockets. Also, Juwan Howard? I think the only thing he does well are knock knock jokes. "Knock. Knock." Who's there? "Juwan" Juwan who? "Juwan some more chicken nuggets?"
Chinese: Who is the "current" symbol of the Rockets, Olajuwon or Francis? Hakeem is the greatest Rocket of all time. But he is no longer a factor on the court and the Rockets can't afford to keep him on for another season. Hakeem has not aged gracefully. He isn't making the nightly effort and contributions of other players his age (Ewing, Stockton, Malone). Maybe its because he has won two championships and he knows that this team is probably not going to make the playoffs this year. Maybe he simply has no drive to compete. I don't know. Moreover, I don't even think that Hakeem is a leader on the team anymore. As a foreign-born player, who is a devout muslim, and who is ten years older than the majority of most of the other players on the Rockets, Hakeem simply has nothing in common with any of the other players on the team. I am obviously not in the Rockets clubhouse, and this is just my opinion, but I would bet that Hakeem doesn't have much to say to the other players on the team and I doubt that they look to Hakeem for any leadership. And most of the older players in the league have made comments to that effect. The Rockets need to do as much as they can to surround Francis with players who complement his skills. Hakeem does not fit that role anymore. I love Hakeem, but trade him while we still can. The Rockets are still going to retire his number in a few years. Hakeem is still going into the hall of fame as a Rocket.
Hakeem is the best player in the NBA, even now and trading him for such a bull**** player like Howard would be a disgrace. Give Hakeem another couple of week and he will be back to his old self (1993-1995).
tod -- cool... well I think your name is well established here but if you want it changed to "Todd" let me know... I usually don't put my word up against that of the NY Times, but I think I'm right here. Howard signed a 7-year $105 million deal in August of 1996. So you've got: 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 And this season (1999-2000) would be his fourth ... maybe there is a clause after the 6th year that I don't know about though ...
"Juwan some more chicken nuggets?" - Tenchi You're a really funny guy. I get it Tenchi - Tenchicken. Seriously, this loyalty thing is getting to me. The NBA is a business. Don't jeopardize this teams future by keeping an aging superstar. I'm not saying trade Olajuwon for Howard...just don't say no to any deals. Hey Calvin, don't take my cookies!!!!
Isn't there some salary considerations if Hakeem retires a Rocket, instead of with another team? Don't we get more cap money. Throw out the loyalty issue, I may do it, even with the contract. Juwon is still young, probably needs a change of scenery. At least he's younger than Pippen, and would put up better numbers.
BTW, didn't mean to sound like a jerk earlier. Allow me to explain myself... Ditto Clutch. Howard for Olajuwan sounds great, except he has that RIDICULOUS contract. I've thought the Wiz (Bullets) were idiots ever since that whole thing happened. (and Pat Riley's probably the luckiest guy in the world, cause he didn't get stuck with that contract he was gonna sign) Howard is certainly an above average 3. Good skills, talent, and semi-youth... But we'd be killing our cap for the next forseeable future. Which means no free agent hunt, and it limits what we can do with our own players, barring Bird rights... It's just dangerous... If somehow we could guarentee that the entire team sans Hakeem was sold on making this work over at least the next three years, (i.e. - no bolting for better contracts, trade demands, etc...) then maybe you have something... Still tough to give up Hakeem, though. ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
Any true rocket fan won't let Hakeem go ANYWHERE! he started with Houston, he's going to end with Houston! I wouldn't trade Hakeem for the Lakers!
Tod: You are right partially if you were bussinessman, but I am a fan of Rox, unfortunately(fortunately) , a fan of Dream.I cann't imagine he wears a jersey of other teams. And I don't think Hakeem is a nonfector with current Rockets.He give out 3 BL, 8 boards,8 points in just 20 mins after he came back, it isn't too bad.We can expect him for better performence at the second half of this season I believe. I would like reiterate that "Never underrestimate the heart of champion". Let us pray for Dream.
I don't like the trade for Howard. I wouldn't trade Dream because of the loyalty issue. We all know that some people don't think that the loyalty issue should come into play. But, if wew did trade Dream into the Eastern Conference, wouldn't Dream look great? Look at Patrick Ewing. His body is shot. He can hardly move and he still puts up decent numbers. Rik Smits is as immobile as Manute Bol and he has some games where he looks great. I think Olajuwon should stay and retire here, but in the East I think he could avg 20pts/10reb/2-3blks. I have thought that for the last 2-3 years every time I hear about the decline of Dream's game. If he was playing in the East, the talk would be about his ability to sustain his high level of play into his 40's.
