The Jordan Trade That Never Happened

[Sledge187]

Back in 84 the Rockets GM was offered Clyde Drexler and the number 2 pick for Ralph Sampson from the Portland Trailblazers. The Rockets GM (idiot) was going to take Olajuwon number 1 and Jordan number 2. He decided at the last minute to decline the trade.

Potential Rockets line-up in 84
C- Olajuwon
PF - Jim Peterson
SF - Clyde Drexler
SG - Michael Jordan
PG - John Lucas

The Rockets literally had the worst GM in basketball for years.

[bigtymer56]

Back in 84 the Rockets GM was offered Clyde Drexler and the number 2 pick for Ralph Sampson from the Portland Trailblazers. The Rockets GM (idiot) was going to take Olajuwon number 1 and Jordan number 2. He decided at the last minute to decline the trade.

Potential Rockets line-up in 84
C- Olajuwon
PF - Jim Peterson
SF - Clyde Drexler
SG - Michael Jordan
PG - John Lucas

The Rockets literally had the worst GM in basketball for years.

In hindsight its easy to call him an idiot...but from what I remember Ralph Sampson was the number #1 pick the year before and a 20-10 guy until his health slowed him down(they did beat the Lakers and made a finals with him). And the fact that Drexler was offered, leads me to believe there was some doubts about him being a star. I could see why a GM wouldn't make that trade.

[Sledge187]

In hindsight its easy to call him an idiot...but from what I remember Ralph Sampson was the number #1 pick the year before and a 20-10 guy until his health slowed him down(they did beat the Lakers and made a finals with him). And the fact that Drexler was offered, leads me to believe there was some doubts about him being a star. I could see why a GM wouldn't make that trade.

He is not an idiot for passing on arguable the greatest basketball player of all time but look up the moves he made in the years that followed.

[NYSportsGuy210]

Well the Bulls have six titles and the Rockets still made out with two so all is good.

[rm18]

They would of won like 79 games 5 years down the line probably

[VegasInsider]

Interesting. Never heard about that one.

[Sledge187]

Well the Bulls have six titles and the Rockets still made out with two so all is good.

Rockets had different leadership when they won their two titles.

[chico2663]

dude i was living in t-town at that time and never do I remember reading that in the chronicle or the houston post.

[Sledge187]

dude i was living in t-town at that time and never do I remember reading that in the chronicle or the houston post.

It was actually never known until Olajuwon published it in his book.

[bigtymer56]

He is not an idiot for passing on arguable the greatest basketball player of all time but look up the moves he made in the years that followed.

Cant argue with that.

[DiggityDaggityDo]

[TheAntFather]

[NardVa]

All 3 players turned out pretty good, but I doubt Jordan, Drexler and Olajuwon become great players on the same team . I think they became great in their own way due to them playing on separate teams. Look at James Harden. He was not able to show how good he really was playing behind Durant and Westbrook.