Reuters: Agents Says Yao Not Attending Draft is "Bad Sign"

I knew I had a bad feeling...and yesterday, I posted something regarding why Wilcox would be working out with us...check this out from ESPN Insider...

The trade rumors are in full swing with less than a week before the draft. Last year, eight first-round picks were traded before the draft or on draft night.

Add in the Jason Kidd-for-Stephon Marbury deal and the Mike Bibby-for-Jason Williams swap and there was some major trade movement around draft day last year.

Expect this year to be no different. The Blazers, Mavs, Magic, Hawks and Suns are trying to move up. The Grizzlies, Cavs and Clippers are exploring moving down. And the Heat, Warriors, Grizzlies, Wizards and Nuggets are exploring adding another first-round pick.

And then there's Houston, which brought in Maryland forward Chris Wilcox for a private workout Thursday. With Yao Mong all but wrapped up, why would Wilcox bother? There are rumblings that Houston may be trying to get another lottery pick.

 

I think that source is Mark Cuban just trying to stir things up.


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NJ, I don't think the Rockets have ever claimed the acquisition of Ming as being a done deal. I'm sure they are just working out Wilcox because their is still some uncertainty. Even if the uncertainty is very small, why not just be safe and work out a player who might be available if you are forced to trade down? It doesn't hurt anything. Not to mention that the Rockets might just be throwing Steve a bone by looking at Wilcox. I wouldn't read too much into it.

I also read something about the possibility of the Rockets adding another lottery pick, which could be used on Wilcox. I don't see how they could do it, but that was quoted from some source in another thread.

 

Ha, I know why this is such a headache. The negotiation with Shanghainese on money is always painful.... Now two Shanghai sides are doing this!

I think the final results would be $3001272.65 . Every digit will take one day and follow a 2000-page contract. Now it is on "7",
Let's just wait.

 

What about the press conference from yao's family? That was suppose to happen at 8am central right?

 

Keep things simple:

DRAFT BUTLER

 

one more day for that press conference DoitDickau...it is only Friday night in China right now & the press conference is scheduled for Saturday evening...so tomorrow morning Houston time we should find out !!!

 

No. Please do not draft Butler.

 

Jeff....any chance (in your opinion) that maybe Ming IS a done deal and the bait to get that extra lotto pick is Francis? (being that Francis seems to have a problem with us drafting Ming)

 

My take on this, drafting Wilcox will probably make Francis happy... so there it is, Ming and Wilcox. Though I'd much rather have a small forward, I guess #15 + one of our PFs + ?? will have to be given up so that we can bring in more Maryland players. Does this mean that the Wizard is coming back?!?

 

At first, they really didn't expect Yao in NYC for the draft....so this really shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

The Rockets said they will honor his Chinese Natl. Team commitments and he just so happens to have one right at the time of the draft in preparation for the tournament early this fall.

I personally don't see it as anything major and just some propoganda from some sources trying to stir things up. Whether or not he's at the draft doesn't matter all that much...it's whether or not he's in a Rockets uniform come late October, and I think that will happen.

 

I'm reading this differently. I think the NBA (David Stern and the boys) has thought Ming was a bad idea from the beginning, and the Rockets took it upon themselves to improve the situation. The Rocket contingent then surprised the hell out of the NBA by conducting such successful negotionations. Now, I think this "NBA source" is try to save face with a little "We told you so" even though the Rockets may have already known about this and not care.

 

D-Lev, I don't think the NBA is opposed to this whole thing from the start. Why wouldn't they want to market the NBA to one of the most populated countries in the world. I don't care what kind of red-tape there is. China is a huge market and alot of money can be made.

I think before it is all said and done, if Ming is drafted at #1 (and not traded) he will be at the draft. It's a big deal to the NBA and a national pride thing with China. My only concern is that maybe we are having second thoughts about trading the pick due to short-sighted individuals on the team.

 

My take is that if Ming isn't going 1(or is immediately dealt after going 1),the Chinese aren't allowing him to go/or be in it.If their attempts to dictate(I mean negotiate)each detail aren't met then they'll take their treasure,who happens to be a human being,and hold him there.The demands and language that have come in between official prepackaged statements from the Chinese govt have had alot of cheek.That same govt. apparatus that has been atrocious when it comes to human rights violations,free trade,stealing nuclear secrets,and downright CONTROL is at it again IMO.I feel bad for the globalization of the NBA and for us,but moreso I hurt for Yao.So much is made about saving face....in public.Behind the scenes is a different story... totally unscrupulous people in charge.I mean,National team commitments,C'mon!If he was going 1 he would be there..and if they pull him out completely...it's all just another example of the Chinese govt's stoneage diplomacy and manipulative attitude.

 

Oh please.

Agents are only mad cause they aren't getting any.

 

Guess this means we don't get to see Ming put on a Rockets hat, walk across the stage, and shake David Stern's hand at the podium. I was really looking forward to that. Oh well. F*ck it.

 

I don't think they were opposed to it. I think they thoroughly evaluated the situation and decided it was too tough to persue. Then, the Rockets proved them wrong.

 

it makes no difference if he is there of not.

we still have an agreement with them that says we will have him for the entire season + playoffs.

in that agreement it also says that they get him during the offseason to play with the national team. well guess what...its the offseason and they need him to practice with the national team.

its all fair enough.