According to Mutombo anyway... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - In the land where diamonds are a relative bargain, the Rockets' attempt to mine an old-fashioned gem may have come up with a glitter. "It's done," said Dikembe Mutombo. "I'm coming." PROPOSED TRADE ? Rockets acquire: C Dikembe Mutombo. ? Bulls acquire: G-F Eric Piatkowski, G-F Adrian Griffin, G Mike Wilks. The 38-year-old former NBA All-Star confirmed that he has agreed to a trade with the Chicago Bulls that will bring him to Houston in exchange for Eric Piatkowski, Adrian Griffin and Mike Wilks. The Rockets will pick up the majority, if not all, of the money that is remaining on Griffin's contract. The 7-2 Mutombo, currently attending the NBA's Basketball Without Borders-Africa outreach program, said he is excited about the prospect of joining Yao Ming on the front line in Houston. "It is where I have wanted to be all along," Mutombo said Monday night. "I told them a long time ago that it was my wish, and I'm so happy that it was granted. "I have already talked to (Rockets assistant coach) Patrick (Ewing) and several others, and I can't wait to get there." Mutombo, a 13-year NBA veteran who has played for Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York, was obtained by the Bulls last month in a deal for guard Jamal Crawford but said he didn't want to stay in Chicago. He has averaged 11.7 points and 11.7 rebounds since becoming a first-round pick out of Georgetown in 1989. What Mutombo will bring to the Rockets is a veteran who can spell Yao as backup center and provide a shot-blocking presence. He ranked 14th in the NBA in blocked shots last season with 1.89 per game. "I think it is a perfect fit for me in Houston, to play alongside Yao Ming," Mutombo said. "I think we can have some kind of club." Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson noted that the deal hasn't been finalized but said Mutombo is just the kind of player the team would like to have behind Yao.</div> FULL STORY Well Mutmobo says the deal is done I am on my way which means the Bulls steal is now official, and more. This trade could not have been better for the Bulls not only do they trade Mutombo who wantewd out and get two quality players and an ok guard in return they don't have to pay most of Griffens contract which will be payed by the rockets. Now the Bulls have filled like I have been saying all week the two spots they needed filling which were to aquire a swingman which they get in Kowski and to get a vetern that they get in Griffen that can lead or motivate and teach there young players if he stays healthy and is a good locker room leader this is a official steal for the Bulls considering they get him basically for free.
Steal for the Bulls? Maybe, but the Rockets didn't get ripped off either. Pike was never going to play under Van Gundy, and Griffin is an oft-injured guard who will be lucky to play 20 games a season. Wilks was going to get released anyways, so talking about it from the Rockets' POV, we didn't lose nothing either.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Steal for the Bulls? Maybe, but the Rockets didn't get ripped off either. Pike was never going to play under Van Gundy, and Griffin is an oft-injured guard who will be lucky to play 20 games a season. Wilks was going to get released anyways, so talking about it from the Rockets' POV, we didn't lose nothing either.</div> Well I understand that, but I think that considering what they gave up to get all these players that may play a big roll. Not that big on Wilks, but Kowski and Griffen fill two wholes they needed to fill. I think they got well another way to say it is a little bit better end of the deal in this trade as they only had to give up a 38 year old guy to get these players. Although, I understand that it was a position that the Rockets needed to fill.
Very good move by the Bulls. Motumbo is not a factor anymore and he won't be with the Rockets. I don't really expect anyone but Frank Williams staying around from the Crawford deal.
Crawford's been officially made up for. Look what we still have from him/players we got for him: -Piatowski -Griffin -Wilks -Harrington -Williams -Trybanski -And the most important thing, 16 million dollars in cap relief And on top of that, we had a great draft and replaced our SG position well (Piatowski, Gordon > Crawford, Dupree ) while upgrading the 3 (Nocioni, Deng > Linton Johnson/E-Rob ). Curry and Chandler both improved and worked hard in the offseason, as well. I like this team over last year, although theres a slim chance of us making the playoffs, due to lack of expirience.
no way this is a steal for the Bulls...its basically Pike for Deke cuz Chicago will likely cut Griffin and Wilks...each team benefitted from this deal so it works out for both sides evenly...
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Griffin is an oft-injured guard who will be lucky to play 20 games a season</div> He probably wouldnt earn a spot in the rotation, anyways, so i dont expect him to play much. Overall, this a is a good trade for both teams. We get the outside shooter we've needed over the past couple of years, and Pike is also a veteran. He will contribute next year definitely, behind Ben Gordon. For the Rockets, they finally get a decent backup C. This will help out trememdously when Yao is on the bench. And can you imagine them on the floor at the same time? Crazy stuff. I hope that McGrady does well in Van Gundy's system, if so, they're contenders.
