Would Olajuwon consider Houston a title contender with the acquisition of C-Webb?

If Dream honestly thinks that Webber would make Houston a title contender then what would he be losing for signing for the $1 million veteran's minimum? Any other "title contender" he goes to after this season will not have extra salary cap room to pay him either. Miami is capped out, LA Lakers dittto, Utah the same. The only feasible team I could see him going to that would likely give him a decent contract would be the Blazers with their no-spending-limit approach to the game.

With that being said, unless he wants to play in Portland, Olajuwon will be able to pick where he wants to play because the money being offered will be awfully close from all teams.

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[This message has been edited by countingcrow (edited February 07, 2001).]

 

Webber would be wise to be nice to Pistons

By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News


AUBURN HILLS -- Chris Webber should start being a little nicer to his hometown Pistons.

   Not because he might want to play here some day, but because he very well could need help from the Pistons this summer.

   By now you have heard about or read Webber's comments in ESPN The Magazine. He said: "I love Detroit, but one thing that hurts me is the way I was treated when things were going bad for me. They didn't want me and I have a memory like an elephant."

   Actually, the Pistons inquired about Webber when Alvin Gentry was the coach and Rick Sund was the general manager in 1998, but the Kings demanded Grant Hill, ending the conversation.

   Also remember there's a new regime now, led by Joe Dumars, a person Webber has idolized since he was a kid.

   That aside, if Webber wants to go to New York or Orlando or Dallas, he is going to need the Pistons.

   Why? Because none of those three teams will have enough salary-cap space to afford the maximum contract Webber will be seeking. The Pistons are one of the few teams who will.

   So, in order for Webber to get to his next destination, his road might have to wind through Detroit. Though there are countless scenarios, the most probable vehicle for Webber will be a three-way, sign-and-trade package.
   
   How could a sign-and-trade with Webber unfold?

   Say he wants to go to New York, a team well over the cap. The Knicks would have to dump at least two salaries to make room for Webber. So -- this is completely hypothetical -- the Knicks trade Marcus Camby and perhaps another player to the Pistons. Sacramento signs Webber, then trades him to the Knicks for Larry Johnson.

   That is the type of transaction that will get Webber where he wants to go. So, he had best be careful not to burn any more bridges here. Cut out the middle man, he could wind up back in Sacramento.

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