Here's an article by Sam SMith of the tribune. All indications are that the Houston Rockets will select China's Yao Ming with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Since the Rockets won the lottery for the top pick, talk of Yao coming to Houston has created basketball excitement there for the first time since the mid-1990s. However, two scenarios could change that and also cost the Bulls, who have the second pick, a chance at Jay Williams. League insiders are saying the Warriors are eager to make a move to get Williams. There also are indications the Los Angeles Clippers have an eye on Williams, a Duke star like their Elton Brand. Williams would be the point-guard leader the Clippers believe they need to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. And the Rockets just might be intrigued. Here's why. The Rockets are believed to like the overall talent of forward Lamar Odom, whom the Clippers reportedly do not intend to re-sign with so many young players coming up for extensions. The Rockets also are said to believe if they put the right players around Kelvin Cato, the underachieving center could be more effective. The Clippers have the Nos. 8 and 12 picks in the draft, and it's possible a package of Odom, one or both of the picks and next year's No. 1 (because the Rockets must give next year's pick to the Grizzlies) for this year's No. 1 and Glen Rice could work and benefit both teams. Then the Rockets could select a big man like Stanford's Curtis Borchard with one of the draft picks and field a lineup—starting with Steve Francis, Odom and Maurice Taylor—with a chance to make the playoffs now. The Warriors have less to offer from their current roster, but they do have the No. 3 pick. The Rockets could gamble the Bulls will pass on Yao because they have two young big men in Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry. That could get Yao for the Rockets in a deal with Golden State, plus the Warriors' No. 1 from next season and perhaps a usable big man like Adonal Foyle. There's also talk Houston will stick with Yao but might try to extract something from the Bulls, like Jamal Crawford or a future No. 1 pick, to pass on the trade offers for Williams. If Yao isn't chosen No. 1, the Chinese government could make it difficult for the team picking him. The government believes it's important for national pride that he be chosen first. And the real horse trading (or Yao dealing) doesn't usually begin until after the Chicago draft camp in June. I still think Odom and Borchartd along with some depth would be better then Yao.
