Mutombo hoping to gather investors to purchase Rockets

Former Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo is gathering the necessary resources and funding to make a bid at purchasing the franchise.

"I'm working on it," Mutombo told FOX 26 Sports' Mark Berman. "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."

Rockets president Tad Brown announced Monday afternoon that owner Leslie Alexander intended to sell the team after 24 years, with Brown being placed in charge of coordinating the sales process with the NBA's league office.

Two years ago, Mutombo attempted to buy another former team of his when a majority stake became available in the Atlanta Hawks. A purchase by an ownership group led by Tony Ressler was eventually approved by the NBA's Board of Governors, though.

Now with another shot at becoming an owner, Mutombo doesn't want this chance to slip away from him.

"A lot of people think it's a great thing," Mutombo said. "It's a great opportunity.

"Now it's just a question of the number. There's going to be a lot of discussion and a lot of cash."

Mutombo spent the last five years of his Hall of Fame career in a Rockets uniform. Seeing the team on the rise in the Western Conference, especially following the acquisition of All-Star Chris Paul, the former four-time Defensive Player of the Year wants to strike while the iron is hot.

"It's like someone who's already sitting on the runway trying to take off," Mutombo added. "That's what kind of team the Rockets are right now. The Rockets are a great franchise. They have a great team. 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."