According to Peter Vecsey and Evan Grossman of the New York Post, the Rockets and Raptors were ready to make a trade. Hakeem Olajuwon for a future 1st round pick. Then Olajuwon hit the brakes.

The Pacers had a deal in place that would have sent Austin Croshere to Boston, Vitaly Potapenko to Houston and Olajuwon to Indiana. Sam Perkins and his non-guaranteed contract may have been involved as well.

In Knick news, New York remains desperate to acquire a point guard. In addition to Charlie Ward, the Knicks are willing to part with Othella Harrington as well.

Toronto newspapers report Vince Carter could announce as early as Wednesday on whether or not he will stay with the Toronto Raptors on a long term basis.  "Vince is very happy with the direction of the team and the energy around it right now," Carter's agent, Merle Scott, said. In an interview broadcast on radio statio 1050 The Team, Carter said "When I wake up Wednesday I'm going to go with it," he said. "I just hope everybody is happy with it."

And just to nudge Carter closer to signing now, negotiations with Houston Rocket veteran centre Hakeem Olajuwon are going well, with one source close to Raptors management saying Monday that a deal is near.  The Raptors are reported to be going as high as $22 million on a four-year deal.  One can only hope it's not all guaranteed money.

According to the New York Times, when Tracy McGrady bolted Toronto to play for the Orlando Magic last summer, it seemed a precursor to the inevitable departure of Vince Carter. McGrady, Carter's cousin and close friend, was the third individual with star power ? Isiah Thomas and Damon Stoudamire were the others ? to leave the young franchise high and dry after a fun and fascinating fling.

But it is beginning to look as if Toronto's ill fortune with top talent is about to end. After an impressive postseason run and a strong showing on this summer's free-agent market, the Raptors seem certain to keep Carter, who can become a restricted free agent in July 2002, in Toronto for the bulk of his career.

Hakeem Olajuwon is looking for a team.  And the Toronto Sun's Mike Ulmer says, "While the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are interested, the Raptors are, for the first time in any free-agent sweepstakes, considered the front-runner."  Toronto is offering a contract with two years guaranteed and two not guaranteed.  The idea is that the 38 year old Olajuwon can play 20 to 22 minutes per game, and Antonio Davis can get some time at the 4 position.

Dave Lewandowski of the Indianapolis Star reports that representatives from the New York Knicks met with Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston on Tuesday, joining the list of suitors for the free agent center. Olajuwon already has had meetings with officials from the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and his Houston Rockets. The Pacers and Heat both have $4.5 million midlevel exceptions at their disposal to offer Olajuwon.

The Raptors are wooing the Dream with the $5 million exception they gained by trading Charles Oakley to Chicago for a draft choice. The Knicks would need to engineer a sign-and-trade deal with the Rockets if they want to acquire Olajuwon. The Cavaliers are in the midst of major rebuilding and have just $1.2 million of wiggle room under the salary cap.

No, not that Mr. Big.  Vince Carter is now getting his own Mr. Big.  As in a large chocolate bar in a bright yellow wrapper, complete with action photo's of Carter.  The bar is made by Cadbury's, and is one of the 12 largest sellers in Canada.  They are trying to copy cereals, which for years have featured athletes on the box.  Think this will help keep Vince a Raptor next year?

Speaking of Mr. Big, that's what the Raptors are looking for now.  They've got one roster spot left, and need a center to fill it.  They're looking at Olajuwon of course, but also any other 7 footer who can help give Antonio Davis more time at the 4 position.

The Associated Press reports that the Cleveland Cavalliers have entered the Olajuwon Sweepstakes. Cavs coach John Lucas says the team will exhaust all its options to try to sign free agent center Hakeem Olajuwon. "I know that there are several teams that have an interest in him and we're one of them," Lucas told Houston television station KRIV. Lucas mentioned the possibility of a sign-and-trade agreement. "We would have to look and see what it would take to get it done," he said. "Obviously, we don't want to try to rip up our whole team to do it."

Brian McTaggert of the Houston Chronicle says that Cleveland is not in a good position to get Olajuwon, with only $2 million under the cap.  He also quotes Rockets GM Carroll Dawson as saying they are trying to find more money with which to pay Olajuwon themselves.  Olajuwon is also being courted by Indiana, Toronto, Utah, Miami and New York.