I ordered a pizza today. The pizza delivery man told me he once delivered pizza's to Cuttino Mobley's house and according to Mobley, we're signing Chris Webber. I just thought you guys would like to know. I believe you Todd and I think Dream's coming back. Just had to share my similar story about the pizza man, cuttino mobley, and chris webber. [This message has been edited by Band Geek Mobster (edited April 14, 2001).]
I never doubted that Hakeem would come back...after his change of heart at around the trade deadline. Putting the two posts above me together, I always wondered about Hakeem's change of heart. Could something like this have happened? HAKEEM (to CD) I want to leave, I want to be on a playoff team, I want to play for a coach who can utilize my skills. CD: (takes a sip of iced tea) We've got Webber locked up, he'll be in pinstripes next year, says he wants to play alongside the Great Hakeem Olajuwon. HAKEEM: I want to stay, I want to help My Team. (Later, to the media) A player's career should be like the river that flows to the sea with no branching away from its true course... In my mind, it's all a matter of WHEN we sign him and who we bring in. (Duh.) 2 or 3 million is reasonable after this year's 16.5. Do we sign him first, if we can move players to teams under the cap (Cato to Detroit or Chicago, etc). If we actually have a chance at Webber (I know the above post was a joke, what with the wink), do we have the full $$$ to do so outright (and before anything else)? Those three picks count for how much against the cap....? ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 15, 2001).]
If it is true, which I believed even before I read this post, it certainly helps our chances with getting Webber. Now C-Webb will have a center to play alongside him, and won't have to do it all himself. Like I said, I have been confident for some time that Dream would be back with us next year, it was just a matter of how much $$$ he wanted. ------------------
Now the question is, do we want Sacramento to get knocked out of the playoffs early or go all the way to the championship? Will he choose to stay if they just miss it or will he consider the Rockets with a hall of fame center & his favorite back court? If they win it all (not likely, in my opinion), will he be more interested in going to a team that has his friends on it or maybe closer to home or staying for a repeat? Verrrrry interesting. Who knows? ------------------
Jay If Dream has signed anything right now or made a verbal agreement before July 1st, that is illegal, and hottoddie has pulled a popeye Mobley scoop. good thing the nba doesn't monitor hottoddie like they do popeye...
Heypartner, Can't they sign him to an extension at a reduced amount before his contract expires so that they don't have to renounce him? ------------------
If we were to get Webber, and want to keep Olajuwon, we'd have to do something with Hakeem first. Hakeem will count over 20 million unsigned, unrenounced. So, we'll either renounce him and take care of him later, or IMO sign him to a smaller contract now (2-3 mill), and then the year after, assuming he wants to play 2 more year, when we will still have his big bird rights, sign him to a larger, 1 year deal (a la Barkley). Keeping Hakeem unrenounced/unsigned while trading Cato wouldn't put us under the cap. If we keep the 3 picks, assume them at 12, 22, and 24, they will count for a little over 2.65 mill. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
extensions must be signed by Oct 31st. That is why we rushed so fast to sign Cato last year. After that date, players in their last year will become free agents. On July 1st, they are formally allowed to discuss new deals. On Aug 1st, they are formally allowed to sign new deals. This is from memory. I could be wrong about the dates, but definitely Dream cannot sign a deal now or have a "verbal agreement". I'm not denying you heard what you say, anymore than anyone denied that popeye heard what he said about Mobley last year in May. I'm just saying that if true, it is illegal and could result in us being penalized by the league. It gives us an unfair advantage in decided what to do on draft day, for instance.
Just a rule clarification question? Could Hakeem be signed to an extension right now, before the season ends? When does he become a free agent...right when the last game is for the Rockets, or when the season is over and a champion is crowned? ------------------ Haha.. you fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is: Never get involved in a land war in Asia. Only slightly less well know is this: Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!
If Hakeem has agreed to "chump change" like that, something must be brewing on the free agent front. ------------------
I should include that Dream can be traded, but not signed to a new contract or an extension, until the dates above. The recipient in the trade would have Dream without a contract come July 1st, so that doesn't really make sense. I should also say that Indiana did a draft day trade 2 years ago swapping a drafted player for a veteran free agent with the promise that a sign-n-trade would happen officially on Aug 1st to fully complete the trade. I don't recall Indiana getting in much trouble for that. And I don't think your statements (nor popeye's) could hurt the Rockets, I was just trying to put the info in perspective with the rules.
