How many years can a rookie be signed for? If we get Ming,will we will have him for like 3-4 years and watch him go to a better team? or can we sign him to a 6-7 year deal now?
If he is really good, he will stay in the same team for ever. That team should be the best because of his effort. If he is a bust, you don't need to care where he will go.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, first round picks sign three-year contracts with a team option for a fourth year. After the fourth season, the "rookie" becomes a RESTRICTED free agent. His team can match any offer for him. Therefore, the Rockets would likely exercise their fourth-year option on Yao and would also likely match any offer by another team for him after that. Essentially (as is the case with Francis now), Yao couldn't leave unless (a) he was offered the max and the Rockets didn't want to match the offer; or (b) he refuses to play and forces a sign-and-trade, in which case we'd still get something for him.
I believe BimaThug is correct. If the Rockets are successful and there is good team chemistry, I would guess Yao Ming would sign a contract extension for year 5 (2006-2007) and beyond. Most people get comfortable with their environment and don't make drastic moves. Unless there is question of success, chemistry or perceived Max value (like Andre Miller and the Cavs' situation) then Yao Ming could/should be a Rocket for many years. The only thing I can see impacting this is that the current ColBA expires at the end of the 03-04 season and there is an owners option for the 2004-2005 season. There could be some rule changes in effect when Yao signs his 2nd NBA contract.
<i>I never remember this stuff but can you match the offer if you are over the cap?</i> Yes and No. You have to be able to match the offer within the constraints of the salary cap. For example, when Marc Jackson was a free agent last summer, GS was over the cap and didn't have any Bird Rights on Jackson. Therefore, the most they could offer him was the MCE (~$4.5M). If somebody else had given him an offer higher than that, then GS wouldn't have been able to match. That being said, after 4 years, we would have full Bird Rights on Yao, so we are allowed to exceed the cap to sign him and then match any offer.
