Rockets Trade Rumors

McGrady dressed but not ready
Comment
November 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Tracy McGrady marked the occasion of his "target date" to return to the court by getting in uniform after his customary pregame workout. That, however, was as close as he came to beginning his comeback from last February's microfracture surgery. Though the Rockets have only 11 active players, he remained on the team's inactive list in the locker room during the game. "We have no timetable," coach Rick Adelman said when asked about McGrady's return. With his first-half 3-pointer, Rockets forward Shane Battier has hit at least one trey in 24 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the NBA (behind Chicago's John Salmons). "Chase (Budinger) told me," Battier said, having ..."
Raptors claim Pops off waivers
Comment
November 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Toronto Raptors defended the Suns' prolific pick-and-roll by switching on screens, having relatively good success with the strategy. With small point guards, that was not an option for the Rockets, who would not want to force Aaron Brooks or Kyle Lowry to have to match up against Amar'e Stoudemire. The Rockets, however, have allowed center Chuck Hayes to switch defensively, including in games last season against the Suns. "We feel comfortable with Chuck on anybody," Shane Battier said. "Three-fourths of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Chuck Hayes." The Rockets don't switch on pick-and-rolls and usually "show" on screens, but don't trap. "Assistant coaches always ..."
Club cuts pair, gains flexibility
Comment
November 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"With a pair of moves Friday made for very different reasons, one surprising and one expected, the undersized Rockets trimmed two big men from their roster, sending center Joey Dorsey to the NBA Development League and waiving forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu. With Dorsey unable to get playing time and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers beginning their first training camp since the Rockets took over basketball operations, the move with Dorsey was expected. Mensah-Bonsu, however, had played well enough in the preseason to move past Dorsey, and had played 13 minutes in four of the Rockets' eight games. The Rockets wanted the roster spot open should they need a fill-in, a concern that became more obvious ..."
Rockets' McGrady now says Nov. 18 just 'a target date'
Comment
November 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"A day after he reportedly said he would be playing Nov. 18, Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said he was misunderstood. Rather, he merely hopes to be playing Nov. 18, a week before the Rockets said he could be back at the earliest. "It's a target date," McGrady said Tuesday. "I didn't say I was coming back; I said it was a target date, just like we have a date to have the MRI on the 23rd. Everybody is blowing it out of proportion like I'm guaranteed to come back. I want to play, so that's what we're targeting. " McGrady also said he would not rush his return and indicated he doesn't expect to play until the week of his MRI, which his scheduled for Nov. 23. "I'm not in a hurry to get back on the ..."
McGrady, Rockets send mixed signals on return
Comment
November 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Tracy McGrady said Monday that he would make his season debut Nov. 18. But the Rockets said neither they nor McGrady knows when he would go through a full practice, much less a game. McGrady's announcement was contrary to comments by Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who had said earlier Monday that there is no timetable for McGrady to play and that he would not play until he can be checked out in the Rockets' next full practice, Nov. 23. In an e-mail to Yahoo Sports, McGrady said he would play Nov. 18 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. In his blog later, he disputed Morey's contention that his participation in practice has been "off and on" but did not target a date for ..."
McGrady planning Nov. 18 return
Comment
November 9
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After eight months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired left knee, Tracy McGrady has told Yahoo! Sports he plans to return to the Houston Rockets' lineup on Nov. 18. After several league sources informed Yahoo! Sports of McGrady's timetable, the seven-time All-Star forward confirmed he planned to make his season debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis next week. "Excited to get back and compete at a high level again," McGrady said in an email to Yahoo! Sports. "For a full year I had to play on one leg against the best and I couldn't compete with anybody the way I was feeling. "It's gonna be a relief to get out there and play knowing what I went [through] last season ..."
Budinger unlikely for Thunder
Comment
November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Rockets forward Chase Budinger, out with a sprained left ankle, predicted he will be ready to play tonight against Oklahoma City. Coach Rick Adelman guessed he won't. Budinger missed Wednesday's game against the Lakers and was held out of practice Thursday but participated in shooting drills. "I felt great at shootaround today," Budinger said. "Hopefully, I'll keep getting better tomorrow and be ready to play. It was tough (to sit out), especially playing against the Lakers. I wanted to be out there. The last time I missed a game was in high school." Adelman was not so sure. "I actually don't expect him to play tomorrow after watching him today," Adelman said. "But he's young (21), so ..."
Brooks to get extension
Comment
October 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"As expected, the Rockets on Thursday sent in the paperwork to extend guard Aaron Brooks' contract for a fourth season, keeping him signed through 2010-11, a person with knowledge of the move said. Though Rockets general manager Daryl Morey had called the move "a no-brainer," he chose to stick with his policy of making contract moves at the deadline when possible. Morey did not comment. Brooks, 24, had assumed the Rockets had picked up their option on his fourth season weeks ago. The extension is expected to be completed today, one day before the deadline. As stipulated by the NBA scale for Brooks' draft position in 2007, he will earn $2,016,692. Launching pad Through the first two seasons ..."
Pops go the Rockets
Comment
October 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"Had Pops Mensah-Bonsu allowed himself to worry, had he been tossing and turning through the nights while considering his chances to make the Rockets roster, there might have been greater elation, or at least relief at the news. Having been through this, he would not put himself through that torture again. He had learned over the years to fight those thoughts. He also knew from experience how to react when he learned that he had made the 15-player Rockets roster Thursday, vowing to maintain the sort of play that got him this far. "I've been in this situation a couple times so I'm a vet at it," Mensah-Bonsu, 26, said. "Maybe if I was a young guy I'd have been a little wound up. Now, I'm a ..."
Rockets release two guards in first preseason cuts
Comment
October 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets made their first roster moves of the preseason, waiving guards Garrett Temple and Romel Beck. Temple, however, could be back with the organization, if not necessarily with the Rocketsteam. The Rockets were impressed enough with Temple's potential that they are likely to make Temple him an "allocation target" to get the NBA Development League rights to him, hoping to add him to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers roster. The Vipers can consider players either from or who played collegiately in Texas or Louisiana to be regional picks and request to have their rights assigned to them. The Spurs, who own the Austin Toros, can also put in a claim on Temple, who is from Baton Rouge, La., ..."
Team happy NBA, union close to striking deal to bring back refs
Comment
October 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Chuck Hayes was not ready to duplicate the kiss Charles Barkley planted on Dick Bavetta's lips during the Las Vegas All-Star Weekend. Hayes and other Rockets players were happy with the news that NBA officials likely will be back to work by Tuesday's season opener. Hayes was not, however, that happy. Amid reports the NBA is close to an agreement with the NBA referees union that would end the lockout of the officials — with a vote by the union membership to ratify the agreement set for Friday — Rockets players said the replacement referees are improving but that they prefer the real thing. "It'll be good to see guys you know that you haven't seen since last season," Hayes said. "Some you ..."
Adelman frustrated about Toronto trip
Comment
October 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Hitting the road ... again The Rockets' back-to-back this week will make five of their first six preseason games away from Toyota Center, with Rockets coach Rick Adelman particularly frustrated about the length of the trip for today's game in Toronto. "I don't like to travel this much, this far," Adelman said. "We do enough during the regular season. I don't know who makes the decisions as far as which games we get. To me, it's really unnecessary when you have a ton of teams within an hour of us." Teams make their own schedules in the preseason. Choke or fatigue? Former Rockets forward and current broadcaster Matt Bullard on Wednesday took on Rockets shooters for a third consecutive season ..."
Scola 'OK' after sprained right ankle
Comment
October 13
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets' 37.8 percent shooting and 18.8 percent shooting from the 3-point arc, were their worst of the preseason, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the team's execution led to the poor shooting. "I think it's a really good learning tool for our team," Adelman said. "Offensively, I did not think we played well enough. We have to find a way when we get guys to the paint to do what they did to us and find people open. We're forcing the issue. We're forcing stuff. Guys are doing stuff that aren't to their strengths."
T-Mac feeling good at practice
Comment
October 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"The court was dropped down in the middle of the McAllen Convention Center, a makeshift training camp venue far removed in so many ways from the arenas and tests of the NBA to come. But it was a start. Perhaps the setting was fitting, a reminder of how far Tracy McGrady must go. But for the first time since microfracture surgery last spring, McGrady, 30, practiced with the Rockets on Sunday. He went through a few stints of the scrimmage, moving well and without pain in a small, but significant step in his comeback. His first participation in training camp did not alter his schedule. General manager Daryl Morey said it was "part of the process." The Rockets expect McGrady to be out at least ..."
Rockets will use Brooks' option
Comment
October 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Though he said there is "of course" no decision to be made, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said he would stick with his policy to wait until the deadline before the start of the regular-season to pick up his option on the fourth season of starting point guard Aaron Brooks' contract. "It is a no-brainer, of course," Morey said. "Aaron is an emerging point guard who has a bright future. "He showed great poise and production when he became the starter last year. "We of course expect him to be a Rocket for a long time.""
Morey signs deal to remain through 2012-13
Comment
September 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"After three years of a largely successful retooling of the Rockets' roster and the team's first playoff series win in a dozen years, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has signed a contract to remain with the team, multiple individuals with knowledge of the deal said Thursday. The contract will keep Morey, 37, with the Rockets through the 2012-13 season, according to one of the individuals familiar with the contract. Morey's initial contract with the team had expired after last season. He and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander reached agreement after the season on a new deal, which was finalized this week. Morey declined to comment on his contract status with the team. Alexander could not be ..."
Rockets OK deal with McCants
Comment
September 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"Seeking another offensive option for training camp, the Rockets on Thursday reached agreement on a non-guaranteed contract with free-agent guard Rashad McCants, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. In a move reminiscent of last season's addition of Von Wafer, also a talented scorer who turned a long-shot chance into a strong season, the spot with the Rockets would offer McCants a chance to revive a stalled career and the Rockets a no-risk look. McCants, 25, has shown outstanding scoring ability in his four-year NBA career but also gained a reputation for being a locker-room malcontent in Minnesota, especially after he was benched when Kevin McHale, the general manager who ..."
"Flight" White glad to land with Denver Nuggets
Comment
September 23
Denver Post
 
"Suddenly, that Nuggets preseason game against Partizan Belgrade is a little more enticing. The Nuggets have acquired James "Flight" White, a skywalking, YouTube dunking sensation - who might have the versatility to make the team's roster. "Looking at the roster, they have 12 guys now, so I figure that I have a good chance making the team if I go out there and work," White said by phone. On Tuesday, the Nuggets traded the draft rights of Axel Hervelle (who never played for Denver) to Houston for White, who has played in 10 NBA games. But last season, he averaged 25.9 points for Anaheim in the D-League, tying the league high. "I'm definitely excited, and excited that the Nuggets were looking ..."
Rockets promote Rossas to VP of Player Personnel
Comment
September 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets on Thursday promoted Gersson Rossas to Vice President of Player Personnel heading into his sixth season with the team. Rossas will work with general manager Daryl Morey on the evaluation of draft prospects and NBA players, will supervise the Rockets scouting departments and will help coordinate the team's player development program."
Mensah-Bonsu acquired
Comment
September 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Seeking frontcourt depth as they rebuild without Yao Ming, the Rockets signed forward/center Pops Mensah-Bonsu on Thursday to a non-guaranteed, one-year contract. A minimum contract for a player with Mensah-Bonsu's experience is worth roughly $825,000. The team had reached agreement with Mensah-Bonsu weeks ago, but the signing was held up because of complications with the insurance he needed to play for England's national team. Mensah-Bonsu, a 6-9, 235-pound forward who likely also will work at center with the Rockets, has played in 34 NBA games in two seasons with Dallas, San Antonio and Toronto, averaging 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game. Mensah-Bonsu, 25, likely ..."
Rockets GM Morey says no change in Yao's status
Comment
September 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"The good news, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said, is there is no news. Rockets center Yao Ming's status and the prognosis for his recovery from extensive left foot surgery has not changed since his surgery July 21, Morey said Monday. Responding to an ESPN.com story quoting Morey saying Yao is progressing well and has not been ruled out to play next season, Morey cited his and Rockets doctors' comments after Yao's July 17 announcement that he had chosen to have the surgery. "The only thing new is that nothing has gone wrong," Morey said. "Everything looked fine. Otherwise it's all the same stuff we've been saying, which is he is not ruled out for this year, although it is unlikely ..."
Stephen Jackson wants Warriors to trade him
Comment
August 29
Oakland Tribune
 
"Stephen Jackson wants out of Golden State and has hired an agent to facilitate a trade, our Marcus Thompson II confirmed late Friday night on our "Inside the Warriors" blog. Jackson told an audience gathered Friday in New York for a shoe company's party that he doesn't expect to be with the Warriors when the season begins in November. Jackson stunned the crowd after he was asked by an MC if he thought the Warriors would make the playoffs. " "Um I don't think I'll be a Warrior next year. I'm looking to leave," Jackson said. The 31-year-old Jackson signed a three-year contract extension with the Warriors while acting as his own agent last November. But, he has since cooled on the idea of ..."
Rockets deny interest in Boozer
Comment
July 24
The Deseret News
 
"Despite their rumored involvement in a recent three-team deal that failed to materialize, the Houston Rockets apparently have no true interest in acquiring Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. ESPN.com reported Thursday afternoon that unidentified sources within the Rockets' organization denied the team made any efforts to trade for Boozer. These same sources also denied interest in bringing Boozer to Houston. This comes on the heels of a trade rumor that arose earlier in the week, which had the Rockets participating in a three-team trade with the Jazz and the Chicago Bulls that would have sent Boozer to Chicago and Kyrylo Fesenko to Houston and brought Shane Battier and Carl Landry to Utah. ..."
Yao to undergo surgery to repair hairline fracture in foot
Comment
July 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"Yao Ming will undergo surgery next week to repair the hairline fracture in his left foot and alter the operation of his foot in an effort to prevent recurrence of the injuries that have ended his past two seasons, an individual with knowledge of his decision said on Friday. After several weeks spent considering his options, Yao chose a surgery that will include a bone graft and a realignment of the bones in his left foot to alleviate some of the stress in that area that could have led to the hairline fractures in the tarsal navicular bone the past two seasons. There had been discussions about a more experimental procedure that would increase blood flow to the area, though that seems a less ..."
Despite injuries, Yao Ming already among NBA's greats
Comment
July 14
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist John Smallwood
"I WAS ONLY 7 years old when Bill Walton had the greatest performance in an NCAA championship game by making 21 of 22 field goals to lead UCLA past Memphis State in 1973.I was just getting into the NBA in 1977 when Walton rallied the underdog Portland Trail Blazers by the 76ers for the NBA championship.The following season Walton broke his foot. It started a cruel string of foot and ankle injuries that would mar his career.Walton spent 13 seasons in the league and won two NBA championships, but the injuries limited him to just 468 games, 6,215 points, 4,923 rebounds, 1,590 assists and 1,034 blocks.His career hadn't made much of an impact on me.In 1996, I covered my first NBA All-Star ..."
Rockets pass on Dalembert
Comment
July 7
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"With center Yao Ming out for the coming season, the Houston Rockets are desperate for a big-man replacement - but not desperate enough to want 76ers big man Samuel Dalembert.After all, Dalembert comes with a price tag of $23.6 million over two years, a $3.8 million trade kicker, and a knack for picking up two early fouls. According to an NBA source, Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski contacted the Rockets to see if they had any interest in acquiring Dalembert. The Rockets did not. Despite rumors circulating that this deal would have involved Houston's injured forward, Tracy McGrady, who has one year and $23.2 million left on his contract, the same source said Stefanski did not inquire ..."
Stress injuries fact of life for big men like Yao
Comment
July 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"While the Rockets were busy giving the Los Angeles Lakers their toughest bout of this year's NBA playoffs, their cornerstone, Yao Ming, went down with another foot injury. He would miss the rest of the postseason after suffering a stress fracture of the tarsal navicular bone in his left foot for the second straight year. It was the fourth consecutive season in which Yao was severely hampered by a bone injury in his lower extremities. The question now isn't simply if there's an end to this, but if this is the end. As Yao ponders options including surgery, there's a concern that the Rockets' 7-6, 310-pound All-Star center might miss next season and perhaps never play again. A stress fracture ..."
Utah Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady trade
Comment
July 4
The Deseret News
 
"The Jazz, it's been learned and confirmed, engaged in recent trade talk with the Houston Rockets about a possible deal that would have brought seven-time NBA All-Star swingman Tracy McGrady to Utah for small forward Andrei Kirilenko. The Jazz, however, have no current desire to make the trade — for reasons including, but not necessarily limited to, McGrady's health situation and contract status. McGrady, 30, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in May of 2008 and microfracture surgery on the same problematic knee late last February. He also has a history of back problems, played just 35 games last season, may or may not be able to play more than that next season and is the ..."
Artest joins Lakers, Ariza set for Houston in virtual swap
Comment
July 4
Denver Post
 
"Ron Artest, the mercurial forward who has bounced from Chicago to Indiana to Sacramento to Houston, has landed in Los Angeles, and Trevor Ariza is on his way to the Rockets. Artest, 29, said Thursday he has agreed to a contract that will make him a Laker next season. The Lakers cannot comment on pending deals - contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday - but Artest's agent, David Bauman, said the deal was for five years and between $34 million and $35 million. "I don't care about the money," said Artest, who played for the Rockets this past season. "I'll play there for nothing. L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me." Artest's presence meant the Lakers probably would have had to ..."
Agent predicts Wafer will play elsewhere
Comment
July 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"With free-agent forward Trevor Ariza joining the Rockets, free-agent guard Von Wafer likely will be leaving them. A day after he was stunned with the Rockets' agreement with Ariza, Wafer's agent, Mitchell Butler, said the Rockets have shown little interest in keeping Wafer, 23, leading him to look elsewhere. Butler said he was "floored" that the Rockets pursued Ariza, rather than seeking to keep Wafer and Ron Artest, and said it is "definitely highly unlikely (Wafer) would be back." "None of it made any sense to me," Butler said. "We had a good conversation with them prior to free agency. I expected they would look at a center and then come back and look in-house." Wafer, a 6-5 guard ..."
Trevor Ariza talks with Rockets
Comment
July 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Trevor Ariza NBA tour has officially begun. The Lakers' free-agent forward is meeting today in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and Coach Rick Adelman, according to Ariza's agent. "They both flew in to meet him," agent David Lee said. Ariza has also had a discussion with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James about joining the Cavaliers."
Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza
Comment
July 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Two players who didn't seem like they were going to be available to the Cavaliers ended up in the team's crosshairs at the end of day one of the NBA free-agency period. According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events. In addition, a league source indicated the team is trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise Wednesday, ..."
Artest mulling options in free agency
Comment
July 2
San Antonio Express-News
 
"If LeBron James or Kobe Bryant are looking for a little help, Ron Artest is taking calls. The Rockets star forward, an unrestricted free agent, will consider a team's chances of winning an NBA championship when deciding where he'll bring his skills next season, his agent says. David Bauman said Wednesday that his client would like to return to Houston, but Artest would also think about signing with a contending team - and that might rule out the Rockets if Yao Ming's broken left foot keeps him out for the season. Bauman wouldn't say which teams have contacted him about Artest. But he said he would expect Artest to talk to James and Bryant if the Cavaliers or Los Angeles Lakers were ..."
As NBA free agency starts, Rockets target center
Comment
July 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"While their cornerstone center considered treatment options, the Rockets began the free-agent shopping season at the front door of a player they hope will fill in for him. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey began his recruiting efforts to sign Magic backup center Marcin Gortat at 11:01 p.m. Tuesday, the first minute teams could begin speaking to free agents. Though free agent guard Ron Artest has indicated that his decision will not be impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Yao Ming, and the team held out hope that Yao would return next season, the Rockets wasted no time starting the chase for a backup big man to fill the middle while Yao is out, and beyond. Players cannot sign ..."
Rockets could lose Yao for season, if not longer
Comment
June 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As the NBA draft approached, the grim truth about Yao Ming's broken left foot hung like an anvil over the Houston Rockets. The fear isn't that he's just lost for next season, but longer. The Rockets and Yao's reps are frightened over his future, and the concern is the most base of all: Does Yao Ming ever play again? "The realization has hit them that this is grave," one NBA general manager said. For now, the Rockets have privately told league peers it could be a full season before Yao might be able to return to basketball. Multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses are describing a troubling re-fracture of his navicular bone. Three ..."
Rumor Roundup: Brand, McGrady, Rondo, Darko, Farmar
Comment
June 25
SI.com
 
"The 76ers have shopped Elton Brand. ... Other teams "very aggressive" in pursuit of Tracy McGrady, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. ... The agent for Rajon Rondo, the subject of trade rumors, is unhappy with Celtics boss Danny Ainge. ... The Knicks are close to acquiring Darko Milicic. ... The Lakers have contacted Houston about acquiring Jordan Farmar or buying their first-round pick."
Amare Stoudemire-Tracy McGrady swap being discussed?
Comment
June 25
New York Post
 
"According to the same source that disclosed Terry Porter was about to be fired as Suns coach, the Rockets are leaning toward swapping Tracy McGrady's expiring $22M contract, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks for Leandro Barbosa and Stoudemire, who owns an escape clause after next season and is demanding an extension this summer to waive it."
Rockets draw overtures about trade for T-Mac
Comment
June 25
Houston Chronicle
 
"While the Rockets spent the days leading up to tonight's NBA draft trying to acquire the selection they lack, other teams have been interested in something the Rockets already have. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey described other teams' pursuit of Tracy McGrady and the final season of his contract as "very aggressive." Morey seemed more interested in finding a way into the draft. But unlike last year, when he considered McGrady untouchable and even had him in Rockets owner Leslie Alexander's office on draft night, Morey said he would consider offers. "We're getting a lot of interest on Tracy, and I do have to listen," Morey said. "It's my job to make this team as ready to win the title ..."
Rockets' plans remain open to change
Comment
June 21
Houston Chronicle
 
"Time was short, Daryl Morey said Thursday. He really did not have too much free time to talk. He was, he said, squeezing in a few minutes before a round of golf. The Rockets general manager was joking about the draft preparations for a team without a pick. By Saturday, even he likely would not have found it funny. For the Rockets, preparing for Thursday's NBA draft is much more difficult than if they had a pick. It could be easier if they assumed they would sit out this year's dance. That's not the plan. Instead, they have acted as if they might get any pick while Morey worked to acquire one. Coming up empty Morey said he is not confident he will complete a deal for a pick. After months of ..."
Yao dismisses rumor about move to Cavaliers
Comment
June 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"A day after Rockets center Yao Ming sidestepped questions about the idea of joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to play for the Cavs' Chinese minority owners, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was far more direct about his plans. "Yao," Morey said via email, "is the cornerstone of our franchise now and in the future." Amid speculation in China that Yao would consider leaving the Rockets for Cleveland after next season, Yao dismissed such an option as "unknown." Speaking to a Shanghai television station, Yao said, "Whether he (Huang Jianhua, who heads the Chinese minority ownership group) is Chinese or foreign, they are just bosses. "I've already been with Houston for such a long ..."
Wafer a free agent, but wants to stay with Rockets
Comment
May 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"With Von Wafer a free agent again, he said he hopes to be done seeking a new home, preferring to stick with the Rockets, his fifth team in four NBA seasons. "I hope I'll be back," Wafer said. "I love Houston, I love this organization. They gave me a chance, so I'd love to be back." Wafer had by far his most productive NBA season, averaging 9.7 points (his previous best was an average of 1.7 points) on 44.7 percent shooting. Back to work Though Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said the team's front office will have to move quickly on draft and free-agent preparations, he does not expect to quickly get over the Game 7 loss that sent the Rockets from postseason to offseason Sunday. "I ..."
Artest wants to return in '09-10
Comment
May 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"Ron Artest made his free-agent hopes clear in ways subtle and obvious. He spoke about next season, about growing with the Rockets' young players and going farther in his second season with the Rockets than in his first. Asked if he wants to be back with the Rockets, he said, "Yes, God willing. It's not up to me." The answer is 'yes' If that still did not spell out how he hopes things will go, he was asked if his preference is to return if things work out in contract negotiations. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," Artest said. "That is yes. I just know this team was so good, I think we'll grow together." The Rockets have been just as clear about their hopes. "He has a desire to come back," Rockets ..."
No suspension for Artest after NBA reduces foul
Comment
May 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The NBA reduced the flagrant foul, penalty two assessed to Rockets guard Ron Artest on Friday to a penalty one, eliminating any chance that he could be suspended for Sunday's Game 4 against the Lakers."
League source: Derek Fisher likely to be suspended
Comment
May 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson has a long day ahead of him, but of all the scuffles and incidents from Game 2 of the Lakers-Rockets playoff series, he has narrowed his focus on the elbow thrown by Lakers guard Derek Fisher at Houston forward Luis Scola, according to a league source. Fisher will probably be suspended for Game 3 of the best-of-seven series Friday in Houston. The series is tied at 1-1 after the Lakers' 111-98 victory Wednesday at Staples Center. Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown would start in Fisher's place. Houston forward Ron Artest is not expected to be suspended for running across the court and getting in Kobe Bryant's face near the midpoint of the fourth quarter, though ..."
Harrington looking to revive NBA career
Comment
April 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Othella Harrington, having waited for his row to be called to board his second flight of the day, was making his way to his coach class window seat when he ran into Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire sitting in first class. They exchanged small talk, asking about one another's comebacks from injuries until Harrington had to move on to his seat in the back. A few seasons ago, they had battled beneath NBA baskets, and when Harrington flew to the next city after a road game, he flew on NBA charter jets loaded with every luxury. His bags were delivered to the next of a series of the finest hotels. These days, he has chosen the early morning commercial flights and bus rides of the NBA Development ..."
Luther Heading elsewhere
Comment
March 3
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Agent Mark Bartelstein just made it unofficially official: The Nets are out of the running for his client, Luther Head. And before you jump to conclusions, you should know this: It was only their inability to guarantee playing time that was the dealbreaker. And no, they didn't go cheap on you with a playoff berth at stake: "If we wanted to come, they were willing to pay," Bartelstein believes. But here's your basic bottom line: "They have a three-guard rotation right now that they're set with, and we want Luther to control his own destiny," the agent said of his free-agent client, who was waived by Houston Saturday. "So it's not going to be the Nets -- it's just not the right fit. It's ..."
Rockets looking at White
Comment
March 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets are close to signing high-scoring NBA Development League forward James White to a 10-day contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said Saturday. Averaging 25.6 points per game for the Anaheim Arsenal, White is the fourth-leading scorer in the D-League. A 6-7 forward out of Cincinnati, he had 33 and 36 points in his past two games before he was held out of Saturday’s game because of the talks with the Rockets."
Sources: Nets, Rockets, Blazers talk
Comment
February 18
ESPN.com
 
"Will New Jersey Nets swingman Vince Carter have a new home by Thursday's NBA trade deadline? Sources say the Nets have talked to multiple teams over the course of the past week about a possible Carter trade. On Monday, ESPN.com learned that the Nets were discussing a Carter deal with the Houston Rockets. On Tuesday afternoon, the Portland Trail Blazers were the latest team to enter the Carter fray. Currently the Blazers and Rockets are both haggling over what the Nets will get in return for Carter. Sources say the Blazers and Nets have discussed a deal that would send Carter to Portland for Raef LaFrentz and his expiring contract along with Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez. On Monday, ..."