i know part of the deal was he cant be traded, you think he'll stay or test the market? and 2- when does he not have to go back to china after nba seasons, or does he have to do that his whole career? i hope he stays and is allowed to take summers off in the future. yao is cool.
When the time comes, he'll decide the best from several perspective. We know we can pay him more than anybody, but if he wants a bigger market he can take a small cut in pay and leave. He might also leave if he doesn't like the Rox as an organization or feel that he can have a better career elsewhere.
You never know if his superiors or Team Yao may decide that they would rather have more money from the highest bidding team. Money can change everything in America.
Yao's not going anywhere. Under the current CBA, nobody will be able to pull another Shaquille O'neal.
but, that is what you and others who wich that Yao would leave here dont understand. NO ONE can offer more than we can.(if I understand the CBA correctly) and if you seriously think that the team will not change to better accomodate him, you are flat-out delusional or dont understand the fact that VG has stated that this team revolves around him and will change the team if necessary to make sure it stays that way. I think some of you wish Yao would leave just so you can better watch him in your hometown. He is a Rocket and will remain so...get used to it.
You are pretty much right. At the end of Yao's 3rd season, we will surely pick up the option year, which means he will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 4th year. After the 4th year, as long as we extend a qualifying offer to him, then hell be with us at least through a 5th year. If Yao does not sign any offer sheets after the 4th year, and just takes the qualifying offer, then he will become an unrestricted FA. Furthermore, if after that 5th year he does become a free agent, the team will be in a position to offer him a 7 year deal at max money. Other teams will only be able to offer him 6 years, unless we do a S&T where the other team retains his Bird rights. So in conclusion, there is no way Yao will leave because of money. He will only leave if he doesn't want to play for the Rockets anymore because of other issues. At worst, Yao is going to be a Rocket till the end of 2005-2006 season. If I am wrong on any of this, hopefully GATER will chime in and correct me.
I guess it is still possible that he will get more money playing in California with more adv deals in a bigger (Chinese) market. But by that time, money would probably be a relative minor issue. He will stay here as most Chinese are loyal to their parents (in NBA).
