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Rockets Turn Attention To Payton, Sprewell?Having missed out on Damon Stoudamire, the Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have been forced to alter their search for a veteran guard for their backcourt. With Stoudamire having made $12.5 million with the Trail Blazers last season and the Rockets able to offer their salary-cap exemption of only $1.8 million, the teams reportedly were discussing a sign-and-trade deal. Rockets forwards Clarence Weatherspoon, owed $6.53 million over the final year of his contract, and Juwan Howard, due $26 million over four years, reportedly were dangled as trade bait, but the two clubs failed to reach an agreement, paving the way for Stoudamire to sign with Memphis. Miami and Cleveland also reportedly were interested. With Stoudamire off the market, the Rockets will alter their search. Latrell Sprewell, Michael Finley and Gary Payton have been discussed as options. Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Stoudamire To Sign With MemphisThe Houston Rockets will have to alter their search for a veteran guard once their top target, Damon Stoudamire, agreed to a 4 year, $17 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal can't be completed and officially announced until the league lifts its "July Moratorium," which prohibits trades and free agent signings from happening until the salary cap is set. Stoudamire, 31, appears to be a good fit for the Grizzlies, who are bracing for the loss of Earl Watson. Memphis reportedly is pursuing a sign-and-trade deal for Watson, who spent three seasons backing up point guard Jason Williams. Stoudamire averaged 15.8 points and 5.7 assists with Portland last season. Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Ryan Bowen, Rockets Reach Agreement
Bowen, 29, was thought to be down the list of priorities for the Rockets, who are poised to sign former Memphis Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift and remain in pursuit of veteran free-agent guard Damon Stoudamire. It was suggested the Rockets would focus their attention on re-signing center Dikembe Mutombo and guard Jon Barry, but they moved quickly in reaching an agreement with Bowen. "(Rockets coach) Jeff (Van Gundy) and (general manager) Carroll (Dawson) are great, so it made sense that Ryan would want to stay," said Bowen's agent Guy Zucker, who declined to reveal the terms of the contract. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Rockets Jul 2005 Archive
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In a move surprising only because of its timing, the Rockets and free-agent forward Ryan Bowen agreed to terms on a two-year contract Wednesday. The deal becomes official when the NBA lifts its moratorium on signings, which is set to take place early next week.