Steve Francis almost joined the Clippers in the off-season. Instead, he signed a two-year deal with Houston, where he was a three-time All-Star before being traded to the Orlando Magic along with Cuttino Mobley in 2004. "I had conversations with the Clippers, the coach; we had some deep conversations up until the last couple of days when I made a decision to come to Houston," Francis said Monday before the Rockets' 88-71 victory over the Clippers at Staples Center.

"I made an easier decision I thought was best for my family, my daughter, my wife. We have a home in Houston. We've been living there for seven, eight years."

Mobley, Francis' longtime friend, was a recruiter in the Clippers' attempt to land him.

Some in the Clippers' organization doubted they ever had a true shot at signing Francis, believing he wanted to play for a team with legitimate title aspirations and a dominant one-two punch in Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

At the beginning of the season, he found himself questioning it. He did not play in 11 of the team's first 13 games and was buried deep on the depth chart.

"Of course, by me not playing the first 11, 12 games, I not only possibly thought of if I should've [come] here but Miami, or Dallas, or Cleveland," Francis said.

Via Los Angeles Times

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers

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