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 Rockets shoot down Dream deal Houston turns down proposed Olajuwon trade to Toronto
Posted: Tuesday June 29, 1999 11:06 PM
HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets listened to their hearts Tuesday -- and possibly avoided a major public relations blunder -- when they refused a trade offer from the Toronto Raptors for Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the city's most recognizable athletes. Loyalty to the 12-time NBA All-Star was a factor in the Rockets declining Toronto's offers. "I believe in those things," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "It would be very hard for me to be the guy who pulls the trigger on something like that. We've been through a lot together. I'd hope that a situation like that doesn't come along." The Houston Chronicle and The Toronto Sun reported Tuesday the teams were discussing a trade for the 36-year-old Olajuwon. "I approached Houston and inquired about his availability, but they said no," Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald said from Toronto. The deal reportedly would have involved Kevin Willis, who played two seasons with the Rockets before he was traded to Toronto last June for Roy Rogers and two first-round draft picks. Willis, 36, averaged 12 points and 8.3 rebounds last season. The reports said Houston also would have gotten swingman Doug Christie, 29, who played 3 1/2 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks before spending the last three seasons in Toronto. Tomjanovich said he regretted word of the negotiations became public. "This is a tough part of the business," Tomjanovich said. "I hate it when things like this come out. It hurts people. I'm talking about this because it leaked out. I talked to Hakeem today. I told him there was no deal and how I felt." Olajuwon said he might consider retirement before accepting a trade with two years remaining on his contract. "I've been in Houston 19 years and I don't see myself being anywhere else," Olajuwon said. "That is something that when you get to that bridge you have to cross." Olajuwon said he felt good after talking with Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. "This morning, I was surprised, people were calling the house early this morning to find out what was going on," Olajuwon said. "I am happy because I talked to coach Rudy Tomjanovich and we have a great relationship. "We had an open conversation. If anything is done, it will be done the right way." Tomjanovich admitted, however, that the Rockets listened to the Raptors but no deal resulted. The Rockets won consecutive NBA titles in 1994 and 1995 but have been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round the past two years. Olajuwon, whose contract runs through the 2000-2001 season, was the Rockets' No. 1 pick in 1984 and became the team's centerpiece. He is on the NBA's 50 greatest players list and is one of three players in NBA history with 24,000 points, 12,000 rebounds and 2,500 assists.
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