Now that the bidding for him seems to have reached a level that is actually advantageous for the Rockets, this question is beginning to worry me. Suppose the Raptors or Cavs or Pacers agree to a sign-and-trade in which we give them Hakeem in exchange for some young stud. Can they then turn around, after the trade, and void it if they get cold feet, saying that Hakeem's asthma or knees or whatever are worse than they thought? In other words, do the rules about regular trades apply exactly the same to sign-and-trades? It seems to me we can't assume the answer is yes, since there's a big difference: In a sign-and-trade, the signing team is agreeing to a salary only on the condition that the acquiring team ends up paying it. If the acquiring team can easily void the trade, then the signing team gets stuck with a contract it wouldn't necessarily have signed on its own. I see a high risk of cold feet in this situation. If a deal happens, I hope a subsequent physical is either waived or not required.
Of course he has to pass a physical A S&T is only official when all players pass their physicals. If you question is can the Raptors (or whoever) pull the plug on a S&T if Hakeem isnt healthy, the answer is yes. However, that also nullifies the contract that makes up the S part of the S&T. ------------------ [This message has been edited by NJRocket (edited July 24, 2001).]
The problem is, if that happens, where does that leave the Rockets and Hakeem? It would be like the Horry-Bullard non-trade, only 10 times worse. Hakeem would face the humiliation of possibly having to sign a new deal considerably smaller than the one that had been announced in the media. The Rockets could end up not with a committed Hakeem or a young stud, but with a Hakeem signed and traded, abandoned by his suitors, and left to return to play for a team that had essentially renounced him and waved goodbye. That scenario would be worse than any of the others we've contemplated so far.
I agree. But on the other hand, hakeem has brought all this sh*t on himself at this point. Either come out and say that you want to be here or say that you would prefer to move on. You want a scenario worse than that? How about Hakeem takes so long to make up his mind that Mo T (as much as I think he is a waste) and Shandon sign elsewhere because they are sick of waiting and we end losing Dream on top of it. ------------------
Hey WILL HERE IS A BETTER QUESTION? Can we make Hakeem pass a physical to get a new contract with Houston. I mean what kind of business signs a multi-million contract with somebody who's health is already in question. Well if he is not able to physical take on another season, at least we will pay him for 2 years guaranteed, to help him pay for those medical bills. (lol) ------------------
Excellent point. Maybe the Rockets know about his health (or lack thereof) and that's why they haven't committed to him already. ------------------
I assume that could be worked out with incentives. But I worry that Hakeem won't sign a deal with the Rockets that's laden with incentives for games played, etc., because he's already suspicious that Rudy won't give him minutes. If you're Hakeem, this posture makes sense. You want the fattest guaranteed contract you can get, not just for the money, but because it will pressure your coach to play you.
Will,et al .... Most athletic contracts include a codicil that a physical examination (to the lengths and depths required) may be reqiuested by the franchise to assure and insure servicability of the athlete. The key word is MAY. In the Horry/Bull for Sean Elliott deal that you mentioned, Sean Elliott and the Pistons disclosed a problem with Sean prior to the copnsummation of the deal. Rudy and the Rockets were told he was getting excellent results from a medication regime(including corticosteroids,I think) for his kidney ailment. When a Rockets medical review team assessed Sean they found the illness was indeed manageable with medications, but the condition and early prognosis was far worse than even Sean and The Pistons realized. Deal was cancelled. So to summarize .... if the deal makers do not insist on a physical reviewa after full disclosure, and the teams waive or otherwise sign-off on the deal without requesting a physical review ... it's a done deal. If they make the deal with full disclosure pending a physicxal review the deal can be reversed, without harm to any contract. PS You gotta think that most agents like Dan Fegan have a handful of medical reports to boltser their client's reputation when talks are initiated with a team. Further medical reviews are almost automatic prior to signing on the dotted line, or just after, when talking about an aging or previous injured athlete. Cheers. ------------------
