Rockets could sign Barry, Mutombo, Van Exel

[ducks]

Rockets could sign Barry, Mutombo, Van Exel
August 6
Houston Chronicle (scroll down): "The Rockets signed Bowen, 29, to a two-year, $1.83 million contract, with Bowen holding an option for the second season, and will begin contract talks with Jon Barry and Dikembe Mutombo next week... Nick Van Exel, who became a free agent Wednesday when the Trail Blazers did not exercise their option on his contract, has expressed interest in playing for the Rockets, and Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson did speak with Stoudamire's agent Tony Dutt."
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3298688

[Taking it to the Hole]

Damn, the Rockets are spending crazy money this offseason. How many people have they acquired? Like a thousand?

[Cant_Be_Faded]

"we just need guys to sacrifice, realize what's good for the team"

--mcgrady

[Kori Ellis]

Well so far they got 2 of the 3. The re-signed Barry and now it looks like Mutombo.

Mutombo says he will re-sign with Rockets
Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo said Thursday he expects to re-sign with the team.

Mutombo, 39, has indicated he will sign a two-year contract with the Rockets, the Houston Chronicle and Houston television station KRIV reported Thursday.

Mutombo's agent, David Falk, told The Associated Press he could not confirm that.

"Dikembe has really enjoyed his tenure in Houston. They've done a good job of making him feel welcome there," he said. "It's his decision to remain in Houston. I'm confident that (Rockets general manager) Carroll Dawson and I will finalize officially a contract for him. It's a great situation for him."

Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis told the AP he could not confirm whether the team is close to re-signing Mutombo.

Mutombo said in a story in the Chronicle's online edition that he would likely not sign his new contract until late next week.

"Money was not that important to me. I feel I made good money in my career. So I'm going to sign a deal and be happy here," he told the newspaper.

"I think I made the best decision for myself, my wife and my kids," Mutombo told KRIV during a telephone interview. "Hopefully I will play two years and hang up my jersey."

Mutombo told the newspaper that he wanted to be in Houston to complete his career and his work to build a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"I have a chance to be in an organization that accepts what I'm doing in the community and embraced it," he told the newspaper. "People came to the games and understand my devotion, my passion, which is helping people. I have a chance to help the team and to be with teammates who have been so good in my life and Jeff (Van Gundy), who I respect so much as such a great coach.

The 7-foot-2 Mutombo is an eight-time All-Star and four-time defensive player of the year who started playing in the NBA in 1991. He was acquired by the Rockets last season in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.

[T Park]

yawn.....

players that stiffed in the playoffs last year.

Color me unimpressed....

[Supergirl]

I think Houston could be the fourth in the final four in the WC semis next year...SA, Phoenix, Denver, and Houston. Unless Minny does something big. But I think Denver may be the one to get knocked off, and Phoenix would be my next bet.

Yao and McGrady are easily the strongest duo in the league now, and the youngest (ahem, sit down, Shaq) and now they've got as good a crew around them as Miami has. I still don't think they're better than the Spurs, though.

[mcdunk]

If the Rockets sign Mutombo which is appears as though they will, they will have 15 players currently under contract for next season. The only player I wonder about is Vin Baker, he hardly played last year but has 1 year at $3.88mil left on his contract. If the Rockets have any chance at signing another player they would have to free up another roster spot by releasing a player such as Baker.