Report: Wizards to sign Oakley to one-year deal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Veteran forward Charles Oakley started his career with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan. Now, the 38-year-old Oakley could be ending his career with Jordan. The Wizards will sign Oakley to a one-year contract for $1 million by the weekend, the Washington Post reported in Thursday's editions. The signing also would reunite Oakley with Wizards assistant coach Patrick Ewing, who played alongside Oakley for 10 years with the New York Knicks. Oakley is not expected to be with the team for its preseason opener Thursday night against Philadelphia at the MCI Center, the Post said. He could begin practicing Saturday and be available when Washington travels to Philadelphia on Monday for another preaseason game. Washington has been seeking to add toughness to its front line and is hoping Oakley can fill the bill. However, Oakley will turn 39 in December and is coming off the worst season of his 17-year career. Oakley (6 foot 9, 245 pounds) averaged 12.2 points and 11.6 rebounds as a teammate of Jordan for three seasons. However, the Bulls traded their enforcer to the Knicks in June 1988 for center Bill Cartwright two full seasons before Jordan won his first of six NBA titles. Oakley spent a decade with Ewing and averaged 10.5 points and 10.0 rebounds and made one appearance in the NBA Finals while with New York. The Knicks traded Oakley to the Toronto Raptors in June 1998 for center Marcus Camby. In three years with the Raptors, Oakley's production decreased to 7.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. Oakley was traded back to Chicago last season, but played in just 57 games due to an assortment of injuries and averaged career-lows of 3.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. Information from SportsTicker was used in this report
I think this is a good move for th Wiz, who could use another veteran influence on the roster. Oak will bring rebounding and tough defense, plus he'll make opponents think twice before driving the lane. With Hawood, White and Oakley, that's a pretty bulked-up frontline for the Wizards.
I know the Rockets don't have room for Oakley on there roster, but I wish we had someone with his tuff demeanor on the team. We could use someone to keep everyone motivated to play hard (Francis is getting there, but I was thinking an older Vet. would be nice).
oakley as a rocket?!!?! u have got to be out of your mind. this guy stinks. hes way past his prime, which lasted for about 3 games. i think Dell Curry would be much better, not necessarily as a veteran leader, but more so as a clutch 3-point guy. the rockets have had them in eddie johnson, brent price, matt bullard, and on occasion, walt williams.
I second that Dell Curry nomination. I think he would be a big help for this team. I don't see any reason why they can't give him their MCE. He would be the designated three-point threat they need off the bench.
Of course we wouldn't really need Oakley or Curry now, but comparatively, I would certainly go for Curry. We don't need some ole tuff guy in the locker room to push around younger guys. And I think Okaley is overrated as to what he can do. Curry would provide a more likeable veteran presence and a 3pt spark off the bench
