Dikembe Mutombo Putting Together Group to Buy Rockets

Dikembe Mutombo says he is trying to put group together to buy the Rockets

Basketball Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo says he is working on putting together a group that are interested in buying the Houston Rockets.

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said this week he is putting the team up for sale. No sale price has been announced, as the team's value is $1.7 billion according to Forbes Magazine.

"I'm working on it," Mutombo told FOX 26 Sports. "I'm talking to a lot of people already since (Monday). We'll see. 

"I'm just talking to the people who can cut the check and they can make me be part of it. I'm working on that."

Mutumbo played for six franchises, including spending his last six NBA seasons with the Rockets before retiring after the 2009 season.

"The Rockets are a great franchise. They have a great team," Mutumbo said. "They've got great coaches, great basketball players, great staff. Whoever is coming in, it's not like they're going to have to rebuild it.

"I'm trying to convince some people about trying to buy this team. It's one of the best franchises right now. It's really the right time."

The Rockets have been proactive this offseason, signing All-NBA guard James Harden to a lucrative contract extension and trading guard for All-Star point Chris Paul.

A trade with the New York Knicks to possibly acquire forward Carmelo Anthony has also been discussed.