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Miami Sun-Sentinel: Heat forced to wait and see on Olajuwon

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Clutch, Jan 22, 2001.

  1. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
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    Interesting read...

    Miam Sun-Sentinel: Heat forced to wait and see on Olajuwon

    While the Heat is monitoring with great interest the status of disgruntled Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston, it also is aware several factors remain in play regarding the status of the veteran center.

    Should the Rockets release Olajuwon, Miami and Phoenix stand as the 38-year-old's preferred destinations.

    However, it is still possible, the Rockets will:

    -- Wait to see if Phoenix can be squeezed into making a trade, therefore eliminating the burden of having to eat the remainder of Olajuwon's $16.5 million salary for this season. The Heat does not have the available players to facilitate such a trade.
    -- Search for a team with a remaining $2.25 million exception that would be agreeable to Olajuwon, thereby reducing that part of the salary burden that would have to be paid off. The Heat spent its exception on power forward A.C. Green.
    -- Wait at least until the Feb. 22 trading deadline for other potential options.

    In addition, there is thought Olajuwon is seeking an assurance of being given another contract at any new destination, an assurance that is not allowed under the collective-bargaining agreement.

    Unquestioned is the Heat's potential interest, as well as interest by Olajuwon.

    Lakers forward Robert Horry, a former Olajuwon teammate in Houston, said to rule out any northern destinations.

    “He'll like Miami," Horry said before Sunday's 103-92 loss to the Heat at Staples Center. “The cold weather gets to him.”

    For now, the Heat is awaiting the result of a scheduled meeting this week between Olajuwon and Rockets owner Les Alexander.


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  2. Mango

    Mango Member

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    So how do you think the meeting will go?


    Mango

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  3. countingcrow

    countingcrow Member

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    It is pointless to waive Olajuwon at this juncture of the season. What do the Rockets gain as a team in waiving Hakeem? NOTHING! Unless we can get some valuable players than can contribute to this team now then it is useless in trading away our only dependable big man just because he wants to play somewhere he'll be appreciated.

    It is obvious that the Heat do not have anything to offer the Rockets in a trade, but Phoenix does. The crux of the situation comes down to what the Suns would be willing to offer besides Anfernee. Cliff Robinson would be a good start, but it would be difficult for Phoenix to come up with enough salary to match Olajuwon's salary. Atlanta's GM Pete Babcock has insisted that the Hawks are just going to hold on to Mutombo until this summer because they believe they have received low-ball offers for their soon-to-be-free-agent big man. I don't buy this talk at all, and I seriously doubt that Atlanta is going to let Mutombo walk away without receiving compensation. Very Doubtful.

    When everything is put into perspective, it doesn't look like Hakeem is going anywhere else until the summer.

    Am I the only one tired of all these DAMN Olajuwon threads?

    [​IMG]

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  4. ROXTXIA

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    But this does raise the specter of other possibilities, however insubstantial.

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  5. ROXRAN

    ROXRAN Member

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    Indeed

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  6. Hottoddie

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    Countingcrow,

    There is actually a trade possibility with Miami, that wouldn't involve Dream directly, but would net Dream for them. We could trade other players that would net us some value, with the understanding that we'd waive Dream as he has requested. One proposal that I've posted in another thread is to send Cato/Walt to Miami for Majerle/Ceballos/Davis. Both Majerle & Ceballos have contracts that are up after this year & we would also receive a promising young SF for our troubles. Miami would receive some insurance for next year with Cato in case ZO is unable to return & they are unable to resign Dream. Another poster suggested something like, we send Walt for Ceballos/some other young player/#1 pick. I'm not sure if this was the exact scenario that was proposed, but it's close. Both deals work & we don't have to give up the cap relief that Dream's contract is going to give us & we actually receive even more relief by losing the injury prone Cato & the streaky Walt.

    With Dream, we have a chance at the playoffs (assuming that he truely rededicates himself to the team & his role). However, it's my understanding that we have to give Vancouver our #1 pick this year if we make the playoffs. Wouldn't it make more sense to trade Dream, if you could work out something like this that would be favorable to the Rockets long term & allow you one more good draft plus FA acquistions this year to build a foundation that would be both talented & deep for several years to come? With this proposal, we'd be able to make a run at Webber & Finley if we choose to, or because we would be below the cap, we'd be able to be included in 3 way trades that might net us a needed player. The possiblities are unlimited. The only questions with this deal are: Would Miami give up the roughly $8 million in cap relief next year & what would we do about a center this year? I don't know what Miami would do, but we could always pick up Washington & resign Pig. It's just a thought.

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