Michael Jordan got drafted to the Chicago Bulls in 1984, forever changing the NBA. His incredible contribution to the NBA’s popularity in the 1980’s, and his iconic championship runs in the 1990’s shaped the future of the NBA in many ways. However, what if Michael Jordan never got drafted to the Chicago Bulls in the first place?

A 7-foot NBA legend once exposed a $3.2 Billion franchise’s hesitation to draft Michael Jordan in 1984.

7-foot giant exposes $3.2 Billion franchise’s hesitation

In his Autobiography “Living the Dream“, 7-foot Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon reveals shocking information about the potential trades that could have happened during the 1984 NBA draft. Olajuwon claimed that the Houston Rockets had an offer from Portland — to trade Sampson for the number 2 pick in the NBA draft.

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The Houston Rockets rejected that offer. With the help of Olajuwon and Sampson (the Twin Towers), the Rockets did get to the NBA Finals in 1986 but lost to Boston in 6 games.

The Houston Rockets legend mentions in his autobiography, “From 1984 until today (1996), the Rockets could have had a lineup with me, Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan, developing together, playing together, winning together. But the Rockets never made the move.“.

Ralph Sampson went on to have a decent NBA career in the Houston Rockets, however, his injuries got the best of him. He eventually got traded from the Rockets because he did not rise to his maximum potential as a player. Just imagine if the Houston Rockets front office actually gave Sampson away for the 2nd pick in the NBA draft.

The trio of Jordan, Drexler and Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon (Center) was the 1st pick in round 1 of the 1984 NBA draft. The Portland Trail Blazers got the 2nd pick and they went with Sam Bowie (Center) but the Chicago Bulls went with Michael Jordan, who was the 3rd overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Legendary NBA coach Bill Fitch insisted that the Rockets were committed to keeping Olajuwon and Sampson back then. However, he did acknowledge that the Houston Rockets did have some thoughts about Jordan.

Bill Fitch mentioned in an interview back then, “I had played against Dean Smith in the service – we were friends,” Fitch said. “He called me and said, ‘I’m telling you, Bill, this guy is going to be the greatest.’ Dean was that high on him. But we did not have the hindsight to know.“

A young Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon on the same team, alongside the legendary Clyde Drexler would have definitely changed the dynamics between NBA teams that existed then. A dream with Jordan and Olajuwon playing on the same team is definitely an airy dream to contemplate.

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What are your thoughts on Hakeem Olajuwon’s shocking revelation? Let us know in the comments below!