"Shane Battier tried to ignore the flood of text messages and phone calls promoting a juicy trade rumor.

But about 15 minutes before the NBA trade deadline Thursday afternoon, Battier's curiosity crossed over to his computer keyboard.

"I got online and there was nothing," Battier said.

Speculation about Battier re-uniting with the Grizzlies became reality right at the league's 2 p.m. deadline when the Houston Rockets agreed to send him along with guard Ish Smith to Memphis for Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and a lottery-protected, future first-round draft pick.

"It was shocking," Battier said.

The trade might have been unforeseen but it was the Grizzlies' way of strengthening their playoff push.

Griz general manager Chris Wallace said Battier would help them satisfy their playoff guarantee more than Thabeet, and team owner Michael Heisley agreed. So the Griz officially cut bait on their first-round selections from 2009 for a veteran 3-point shooter and perimeter defender, and a young combo guard prospect. The draft pick Houston receives can be used no earlier than 2013 and never loses its lottery protection."