Sampson Feels Slighted by the Rockets

Ralph Sampson of the Houston Rockets, with two injured ankles and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, said Thursday that he wants to complete his career at Houston, but the next move is up to owner Charlie Thomas.

With Sampson and forward Rodney McCray’s contracts expiring at the end of the season, Sampson wondered why the Rockets instead extended center Akeem Olajuwon’s contract with three years remaining

“That (signing Olajuwon) kind of showed me something,” Sampson said. “My contract, and some others, were more pressing, but I guess they felt Akeem was the nucleus.”

Sampson is earning about $1.1 million this year.