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Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Olajuwon activated, meets with Rockets owner



HOUSTON -- Hakeem Olajuwon, unhappy with his role on the rebuilding Houston Rockets, met with team owner Les Alexander prior to Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"Hakeem and I had a pleasant meeting today, very productive," Alexander said. "We both want the same thing, and that is to win the playoffs."

Asked if that meant Olajuwon would finish out the season with the Rockets, Alexander said: "He'll be here, we'll see. The rest is confidential. Right now we're just trying to win the playoffs."

Olajuwon is in the final year of a contract and earns $16.5 million this season, making him very difficult to trade. He has played a lesser role this season and asked the Rockets to consider trading or waiving him.

Olajuwon played 18 minutes in Wednesday night's 85-84 overtime loss to Philadelphia and had little to offer after the game.

"I think a lot was accomplished. I'm satisfied," Olajuwon said. "We'll just wait and see what happens. The purpose of the meeting was to look at all the possibilities and find a solution.

"It's very confidential. That's it. I'd like for you to respect that."

Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said it was highly unlikely the Rockets could trade the future Hall of Famer and remain under the salary cap for next season.

The Rockets activated Olajuwon from the team's injured list prior to the game and place center Kelvin Cato on the injured list with a partially torn left rotator cuff.

Olajuwon, recovering from a cyst on his right knee, had been on the disabled list since Jan. 9 and missed 12 games. Olajuwon has averaged 10.2 points in 29 games this season.

Cato injured his rotator cuff against Sacramento on Jan. 13 and has missed Houston's last five games. Cato spent time on the injured list Nov. 9 to Dec. 16 with a left ankle sprain.
ALSO SEE
Sixers ground Rockets for 12th straight road win

Rockets official says Olajuwon trade unlikely




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