It's time for armchair GMs to realize the cold, hard truth. The only way Yao is leaving the Rockets is if he retires, chooses to sign somewhere else, or dies. This is why. It's simple, so pay attention. Are you ready? Here we go: MONEY. Yao is a HUGE cash cow for Les Alexander. HUGE. We have the entire nation of China watching our games, generating ad revenue, buying merchandise, etc. It drives me nuts to hear and read these crazy trade ideas on the radio and online. You guys need to just work around Yao and his contract when considering possibilities for the future. He's a fixture. He's untouchable. Les wouldn't trade him for LeBron, Kobe, and the cure for cancer together. It's not going to happen. E V E R.
Theoretically, I think the Rockets would trade him for someone like Lebron, Kobe, or D-Wade. Of course, that's never going to happen as Yao is much worse than those guys, but it is just a point to make.
J you need to re-phrase your title Yao would only be traded for an equivalent "cash cow" see: Bryant, Kobe James, LeBron Wade, Dwyane Paul, Chris and all of those players will not be traded from their teams either
EVER is too strong of a word. Hakeem was traded despite bringing two championships to Houston. Yao may get traded eventually, but it won't be happening any time soon. It also isn't just the money. He's probably one of the top two centers in the league right now. You can't trade that away without getting something similar in return.
This might be equivalent for club revenue, but not for Les. I find very difficult for LeBron to open the financial posibilities Yao opens for Les in China.
Most if not all the superstar players are cash cows. They are cash cows in many countries instead of just China.
Cash Cow? read this post: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=169287 also, never ever ever??? Signed, Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon
yao is the biggest cash cow because he brings all 25 billion chinese people to watch the rockets every night.
Yes! A voice of reason. Eventually Yao's injuries will hamper his effectiveness, Les will get tired of it like he did with Hakeem. I see Les pulling the same BS with Yao that he did with Hakeem and forcing him off the Rockets eventually.
There is nothing anymore factual than assuming Yao is a cash cow. Olajuwon deal was a mutual trade. He wasn't thrown under the bus. Jer is saying he will NEVER be traded per all the dumb trade ideas. Sure, there might come a time in a few years where Les is ready to pass on Ming. Ming does not necessarily have to bring in a cold hard dollar deal to express his value to Les's investment. Yao is a very good marketing tool and he is a very good marketing tool.
