That only happens with 2nd round players, since they only have a contract for 1-2 years (thus, they don't get Bird rights). Yao, and all other 1st round picks have guaranteed 3-4 year deals.... thus, they could only get the most money from the team that drafted them.
How pitifully sad! Maybe, just maybe, GS will attract free agents ... aging free agents who want a retirement plan.
It would suck to be a fan of a team pinning all of its hopes on the slimmest of chances that they can lure a 17 and 9 player TWO YEARS FROM NOW.
Maybe they're planning on offering us Troy Murphy, Adonal Foyle and Derek Fisher in 2-3 years when Yao's available? We'll sign Yao to an extension before he becomes an FA - restricted or otherwise.
Do you guys have inside info about Yao signing the extention? I would be worried about the Lakers who will have room when Yao's contract expires.
Actually, they are hoping to lure a 25 and 12 player TWO YEARS FROM NOW. But I get your point, it is sad.
I disagree with the notion that "there is no way Yao won't be a Rocket for a long time.". There is no doubt that the Rockets want Yao here for the rest of his career, but the contract requires 2 signatures, not one. If Yao found himself not being happy here (because of the coach , management, and/or teammates), I would not be a bit surprise that he will not sign any extensions and bolt to another team. We've all read about the shoe deal and the CocaCola lawsuit where he could've netted several more millions, but chose not to. I am sure that he will view his happiness/respect more important than money, so the part about we can offer him more money than anyone else is not that big of a factor. With that said, I am not going to lose any sleep worrying about it because I don't think it will happen. If this story is true, Mullin is taking a terrible gamble.
Do you have inside info about Yao leaving?.........This is pointless Can't we worry about this at the appropriate time. What is that 2 years from now?
If Mullin is really this dumb, I don't think he can keep his job until the time when Yao becomes a free agent.
Every team in the league will go after YM when if he becomes a FA. And why exactly is this news? Let's hope he re-signs. Let's hope that the CBA and his shoe company stay out of it. But most of all. let's not worry about something we have no control over. The best way to get YM re-signed is to win him a Championship either next season or the season after that.
Star players do have the power to force a trade these days (look no further than TMac, Shaq, and KMart this summer). If Yao really wants to leave the Rockets, there's nothing we could do about it. However, konwing Yao, I don't think that it's going to happen. He will be a Rocket for a long time.
(Didn't see this post, posted this in the other thread.) CNN/SI blasts Mullin for ruining their chances to be a decent team. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/john_hollinger/07/20/golden.state/index.html
