Olajuwon Could Be Back Soon

Hakeem Olajuwon, sidelined by a blood clot in his lower left leg, has been cleared to work out this week with the Houston Rockets and possibly even play as soon as Tuesday.

Just more than a week ago, the center’s season and possibly his career appeared to be over, because of the condition requiring medication that would keep him off the court for three to six months.

However, additional tests and a reevaluation by team physician James Muntz showed dramatic improvement in Olajuwon’s condition.

“I’m very happy. I thank God for the opportunity,” Olajuwon said. “I’m looking forward to joining the team.”

Olajuwon will wear elastic support stockings on his left leg while playing, take aspirin daily and be monitored by team doctors for the rest of the season.

“There’s no risk. If there was a risk, I’d take no risk. There is blood flow. It’s not life threatening,” Olajuwon said.

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With the Vancouver Grizzlies reportedly headed to Memphis, Tenn., the Arrowhead Pond might have lost out on its last, best chance to attract an NBA team.

The Grizzlies are expected to apply Monday for NBA permission to move to Memphis, the New York Times reported. Although the Grizzlies would become the first NBA team to relocate since the Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985, the decision is not likely to trigger a wave of franchise moves.

The Clippers rejected overtures from the Pond in 1996 and are unlikely to exercise a one-time escape clause this year in their lease at Staples Center. The NBA has no plans for expansion.

And, for those few teams looking for new homes, moving into the Pond presents a financial hurdle, because of the Mighty Ducks’ lease that allows Disney to control revenue from advertising, naming rights, luxury suites and club seats.

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Sacramento King center Vlade Divac failed in his bid to become president of the Yugoslav Olympic Committee.

Divac, who didn’t play for his country at the Sydney Olympics, finished second in voting behind Dragan Kicanovic, a former basketball player who was reelected as president, a position Divac said he sought “in the interest of Yugoslav sport.”

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China will send its first player to the NBA next week when 7-foot-1 center Wang Zhizhi joins the Dallas Mavericks, Beijing state media reported. The Mavericks picked Wang, 23, in the second round of the draft last year.

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The Mavericks activated Obinna Ekezie off the injured list and put Donnell Harvey on the injured list because of right elbow tendinitis. . . . Detroit Piston forward Michael Curry will be sidelined the remainder of the season after dislocating his right thumb during practice Friday. The Pistons activated forward Kornel David.