Rockets Trade Rumors

"Center Dikembe Mutombo has told the team he will decide in the next two weeks whether to retire or return for an 18th season. Guard Steve Francis on Wednesday exercised an option on a second year of his contract, as he announced he would in January, though it will take much longer before the Rockets know what Francis can offer as he attempts to return from surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee."

"Rookie Carl Landry will be a restricted free agent, but he said he wants to be back with the Rockets. "This is where I want to be," he said. "I love Houston. It's not my decision. It's the Rockets' decision. Both sides have to agree. But I love Houston. This is home. I hope to be back next year."

"While it's too early to tell whether an All-Star will hit the market, the Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal, the Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas and perhaps even the Houston Rockets' Tracy McGrady might be trade possibilities. If no deal materializes, Paxson should remain patient. The prudent approach then probably would be going after a true point guard and keeping the current roster mostly intact."

"The Rockets narrowed their choice of big men to fill the last roster spot to Loren Woods and Dale Davis but kept the roster at 14 players following the expiration of Justin Williams' 10-day contract."

"If Green played, practiced and most of all competed as hard as Harris, he would not be unemployed today. He has a sweet shot and can jump out of the building. Another team will likely take another shot to teach him how to play. It could be the Rockets."

"Free agent Brent Barry wanted one more day to make his decision. He has informed his pursuers in Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix and Boston that he will decide with which one he will finish the season today."

"If they can't sign Barry, they will sign Bobby Jones to a 10-day contract. He is a rangy 6-7, and a strong defensive player against guards. With the emergence of Carl Landry, they need that more than Harris' ability to swing from the three to the four."

"Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, meanwhile, anticipates word from free-agent guard Brent Barry about his choice of teams either Monday or Tuesday, when he will be eligible to sign. Barry is considering the Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Spurs and Celtics."

"The Bulls have been looking for that player for the last few years without much success. The biggest names that might be on the market this summer are Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers and Tracy McGrady of the Rockets."

"The Rockets' pursuit of 6-7 free-agent guard Brent Barry has been largely limited to over the phone, with Barry wanting a few days before any face-to-face meetings. But they do have many connections to make the pitch."

"His brother, Brent Barry, will become a free agent Tuesday, having been put on waivers by the SuperSonics after his trade to Seattle on Thursday. The Rockets, Suns, Mavericks, Spurs and Celtics are chasing Brent, working him like a 7-2 McDonald's All-American choosing between teams in the Final Four."

"The Rockets plan to begin pursuit of guard Brent Barry, who was dealt to the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday but will be released, a person with knowledge of the Rockets' intentions said Thursday."

"Racing the 2 p.m. trade deadline, the Rockets were in talks to acquire Minnesota guard Gerald Green, the former NBA dunk champion from Gulf Shores Academy, in exchange for guard Kirk Snyder, a person with knowledge of the talks said."

"The "it" is a trade of the veteran point guard. The trading deadline is this afternoon, and Cassell was still with the Clippers on Wednesday night at Staples Center when they beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 100-86, in their first game since the All-Star break... Cassell's name has popped up in discussions among a slew of teams, including the Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets."

"Shooter Mike Miller, as opposed to the excess of point guards, will be an especially difficult get... Sacramento is weighing offers for Ron Artest, but unlike the deal that sent Mike Bibby to Atlanta largely for expiring contracts, the Kings have sought an impact player for Artest, who has said he would opt out of his contract after this season."

"Meanwhile, the Nets will continue to wheel until Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Sources throughout the league say Kiki Vandeweghe is generating a heated rush of discussions involving Jermaine O'Neal, Jamaal Tinsley, Mike Miller and Nene... With Kidd apparently spoken for, the player drawing the most attention from promising title contenders is Philly's Andre Miller. Nuggets, Cavaliers and Rockets are sincere suitors - Celtics feel they're first in line for Sam Cassell - but not serious enough to offer more than expiring contracts and a first-round pick in the 20s."

"The Lakers are said to be looking hard for a more traditional small forward with shooting range. Perhaps the Wizards' Caron Butler, who was injured and couldn't play in Sunday's All-Star Game... The Spurs don't make many major moves, but they are looking to deal Francisco Elson. The SuperSonics have had enough of their French connection and are offering Johan Petro and Mickael Gelabale. Seattle also would like to move Wally Szczerbiak and Damien Wilkins... The Rockets would like to be rid of Bonzi Wells. The 76ers are offering Gordan Giricek... And Ben Gordon's nameis another that has made the rumor rounds. "

"What are your thoughts on a Tyrus Thomas for Brandan Wright trade with Golden State? ... In Portugal runs the rumor that T-Mac is going to our Bulls... Can't the Bulls this summer acquire Dwyane Wade from the Miami Heat with a trade? ... What if the Bulls take Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm for Luol Deng or Andres Nocioni? Lamar is no longer needed in LA, and the Lakers would now prefer a shooter to complement the post play with Kobe, "

"Trading Yao is inconceivable. Trading T-Mac for somebody else's problem in midseason would be like going all-in needing to draw an inside straight. Trading anybody else on the roster is fair game, but it won't change the Rockets' immediate fortunes."

"That makes Kidd a viable option to go to Dallas, which, despite denials from coach Avery Johnson, remains very much in the hunt. The Lakers also could work their way into the mix if they decide to make forward Lamar Odom available."

"IT'S THAT TIME of year again, when rumors and speculation dominate the NBA headlines. The trade deadline is less than a month away, so -- as always -- there is talk about who could be dealt and where they could be going. To be sure, no one knows. Not even the general managers who are trying to rob each other blind. Nonetheless, here's a look at who could be on the move by Feb. 21."

"Anyone looking for small shooting guards could probably get Mike James from Houston or J.J. Redick from Orlando, neither of whom play much. Seattle also is a likely target with Wally Szczerbiak, Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour doing little and all available. Ron Artest, with the Kings last week beating the Pistons and Pacers back to back, amazingly listed Indiana and Detroit—where his fight helped ruin the Pacers' franchise—as two of his preferred destinations when he opts out after this season. He also said he could stay in Sacramento. Or go to New York or Miami."

" So sound the starting pistol. Here are the guys you might see changing addresses over the next 30 days: Pau Gasol, Memphis: They're 11-28 with him as it is, and he doesn't really fit the track-meet style they're going to play anyway, so what's the point of keeping him around exactly?"

"Closer to the deadline, if things don't change, I would think they will be very open to moving Mike James' contract. Teams might be ready to add a scorer then. That's how the Rockets got him the first time."

"Don't believe Wade is in Miami for life. Yes, he has three years left on his extension, and no, the Heat isn't about to trade him. Not now, anyway. But no true star of the game—which Wade had become—has gone through anything like this... I'm not sure it would be a great idea as New Yorkers returning home often hasn't worked. But it appears the Pacers are done with Jamaal Tinsley and are about to make some moves... For the record, the Bulls have not had any trade discussions with Houston about Tracy McGrady, and Rockets officials said the same thing last week."

"In the next five weeks before the Feb. 20 trade deadline, we'll find out if the Bulls' patience with Pau Gasol pays off... The prospects aren't great for a major trade by the Bulls. New Jersey's Jason Kidd is not being shopped, and Houston's Tracy McGrady appears to be a longshot."

"Skip to the end, to where we are today after nearly a month of the rumor mill churning out speculation the Rockets have or would entertain conversations about trading Tracy McGrady and this is what you get. 'There have been no trade talks,' Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said."

"Riley is apparently free to resign both of his jobs or keep them both, but Arison wants Riley to clean up the mess that Miami has become on the court... But it's not likely that the Bulls, rumored (as ever) to be looking to make a deal, would be in the running to acquire McGrady, who has got two years and more than $44 million left on his contract. GM John Paxson might not be thrilled with his players this season, but the fragile McGrady is not his kind of player."

"During his respite from the Rockets due to a knee injury, Tracy McGrady has been enjoying the comedy stylings of NBA writers and bloggers. Quite entertaining. 'Good evening ladies and germs. Tracy McGrady, Jason Kidd and Luol Deng walk into a bar ... ' All of the jokes end with McGrady being traded, and every time McGrady hears one he chuckles."

"A few NBA predictions for 2008... McGrady becomes the latest superstar to demand a trade... Chicago trades for Pau Gasol at February trading deadline... Thomas trades for Ron Artest in July... Kevin McHale steps down in Minnesota, lands in Boston as Danny Ainge's right-hand man."

"No, no, no, a thousand times no: Morey isn't going to trade T-Mac for 50 cents on the dollar, talent-wise. If he did, it would constitute general managerial malpractice. The Rockets' best chance of becoming more than first-round playoff fodder is by taking T-Mac and Yao for what they are, not what they aren't, and building around them accordingly."

"The Warriors, once again, are in need of a reserve point guard now that they've learned Troy Hudson is possibly out for the season after unavoidable hip surgery. In Hudson, the Warriors hoped to address one of their notable weaknesses -- a backup for starting point guard Baron Davis, who has a history of injury and is playing a lot of minutes already this season. That need has suddenly resurfaced now that Hudson is expected to go under the knife in the coming days. So, how can the Warriors refill this hole? Glad you asked. Here are some feasible options:"

"There appears to be no shortage of potential destinations for Parker, who Riley confirmed has been shopped in trades in recent weeks. Cleveland, Boston, Houston and Golden State are believed to be among the teams the Heat has talked with regarding a deal."

"There was reported interest from the Mavericks and Magic late in the summer and into camp. Rick Adelman's sagging Rockets need help, particularly at power forward, where 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes starts but doesn't play half the game, essentially splitting time with rookie Luis Scola. Webber's interest in the Lakers might be back now that the Lakers are back, too, just as the Heat, his second choice a year ago, might have gone over a cliff."

"The Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets would have some interest in trading for Heat guard Jason Williams, who has been inconsistent this season but has an attractive expiring contract. Another was mentioned in The (New York) Daily News, which claimed the Heat and Grizzlies are discussing a deal that would bring Mike Miller to Miami and send either Williams or Ricky Davis to Memphis."

"Johnson said on the TNT broadcast Thursday that the Rockets should trade Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady because they have not won in the postseason and the ball moved better in the first half of Thursday's game in Denver when McGrady didn't play."

"Seven years later, is it finally time to bring Tracy McGrady to Chicago? The Houston Rockets might not object. "

"Magic Johnson, an all-time great player and an all-time great talk-show host (if you like bad television), said the time has come for the Rockets to trade Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming."

"Dream of Jason Kidd if you like. 'Tis the season. He's not coming to save the Rockets from themselves. They are not trading McGrady. They are not going to blow this thing up and start over."

"Asked if he would be willing to wait and see if he could receive more playing time as the season progressed, Francis said he did not know how he would react to that situation, or even if he would want to wait."

"With their preseason schedule complete, the Rockets returned to practice on Saturday without center Jackie Butler and guard John Lucas III who are expected to be placed on waivers on Monday."

"Rockets general manager Daryl Morey took the usual step Thursday of issuing a statement that the team has not had any trade discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers involving Kobe Bryant . Any such conversations, mind you, would have to entail the Rockets giving up Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady."

"If the Rockets actually were hoping to get the Lakers' attention in pursuit of Kobe Bryant, they have been playing very hard to get."

"Besides, in sports, things do change unpredictably. Kobe could come in, smack around Jim Buss and Jerry could order him out of town before sundown. Better keep that Bob Sura contract handy."

"And if Kobe Bryant really is on the trading block, Morey will be one of dozens of general managers hoping to land him. It's unclear what the Lakers would be seeking, or even if there's an organizational consensus on moving him. But the Rockets would love to add the NBA's best player to their mix."

"Morey touched base with Dikembe Mutombo, with Mutombo reiterating the position he described to Fran about 10 days ago in South Africa. With Mutombo saying again that he is ready to sign on for one last NBA season, Morey on Monday forwarded the contract to him. Mutombo is expected to sign whenever he and agent David Falk can get together this week."

"Describing the Rockets' contract offer as "disturbing and confusing," the agent for unsigned draft pick Carl Landry said Wednesday that the team's offer is worse than every other second-round pick and many undrafted free agents."

"It has taken nearly four months to get the agony of the Game 7 playoff loss to Utah out of his head. But Dikembe Mutombo is ready to look forward to one final NBA season with the Rockets. 'I will probably sign,' Mutombo said Wednesday night at a reception for Basketball Without Borders."

"An off-season that's delivered an assortment of new names and faces to the Rockets roster could take another step toward bringing back an old one when general manager Daryl Morey meets with Dikembe Mutombo in Atlanta on Monday."

"The Celtics, who reportedly had made an offer to Houston free agent Dikembe Mutombo, appear to have backed out of their pursuit of the ageless 7-footer. A league source said, short of retirement, Mutombo has indicated he is reluctant to move from his home in Houston, which also serves as the base for his many international interests, including his mission work in Africa."