Hakeem obviously does not want to play for a bad team. This means two things: 1. He won't go to a team that will make him the focal point of the offense. 2. He will not go to a team with caproom. The Lakers and Heat, examples because they were mentioned by Dream himself, both would have Hakeem as third, or maybe even fourth, options. In Houston, he's the second option in the first quarter, and probably 3rd if he's on the court in the 4th. No contenders have caproom this offseason. Miami was planning on it but then Grant and Jones fell into their laps. The only teams that could be in the playoffs this year that would have capspace next year is us, Dallas (who would've had to have lost Finley to get caproom), and a few bottom of the East teams. That means his best offer from a contender would be the 2.5 million exception. In Houston, we could give him $5 million and he'd still be a leading option offensively. A two year, $10 million dollar deal would lock him up until the next good free agent class, 2003. That would still give us up to $12 million in caproom this offseason if something came up where we had the chance to land a free agent. His biggest offer will come from us, and it won't be an offer that will cost us the treasured caproom. ------------------
WE SHOULD TRADE HIS DUMB BUTT! ------------------ PUT OLAJUWON ON THE BENCH AND KEEP THE ROCKETS DREAM OF WINNING A TITLE ALIVE!
Ok that's it. This is your last change Thefranchise3. One more crazy post and you will feel the wrath of the Clutch BBS!! ------------------ Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
That means his best offer from a contender would be the 2.5 million exception. In Houston, we could give him $5 million and he'd still be a leading option offensively. Actually, the mid-level exception is fixed at $2.5M this year, but starting next year it will be the league's average salary. That means that this exception will jump to around $4.5M. So, a team like the Lakers could offer Hakeem up to $4.5M. ------------------ [This message has been edited by aelliott (edited December 12, 2000).]
