OK, this is out there, but it may have a little validity if the Rockets do end up trading the pick. The idea is to convince every other team that they'd be perfectly willing to take Ming, but are a bit hesitant because FIBA clearance hasn't yet been given. BUT, they would take Ming unless the deal is really good. For the Rockets, this is the ideal trade position to be in, 'obviously' interested in Ming, but keeping their ears open because of the that pesky CBA issue. This is where Eric Zhang comes in. What if, the Rockets managed somehow to convince Eric Zhang to purposely make the negotiations drag on so that the Rockets are percieved to be where they are now, willing to draft Ming but having to listen to trade offers a little more seriously. Zhang may not even know he's doing this if the Rockets gave Zhang demands regarding Ming they thought the CBA would hesitate with. I know it's a crazy theory, but I'm not sure there aren't any glaring holes in it.
So chicago can give us something to take a chance on him like give us Chandler or Curry just so we don't trade away the pick to someone that might pick JWill. That would be too good but I doubt that it could happen. I don't think the Rockets would gamble like that.
