Report: Padgett Plans To Rejoin Rockets

Free agent small forward Scott Padgett plans to rejoin the Houston Rockets in a one-year contract, according to a Houston television KRIV broadcast report.

Via Associated Press

Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets

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Wells Joining Rockets

Bonzi Wells, the last significant free-agent talent on the market, agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, according to his agent.

Wells holds a player option for the second year and fully plans to re-enter the free agent market next summer, Ric Bucher of ESPN writes.

"This isn't about the money, this is about being in the right place," said Wells' agent, Merle Scott of BDA Sports.

After turning down a five-year, $36 million offer from the Sacramento Kings last month, Wells fired his agent, Bill Phillips, and hired Scott a few weeks ago. Attempts to work a sign-and-trade that might've allowed Wells to match or improve the Kings' offer failed because Sacramento refused to take back any salaries after signing John Salmons with the money refused by Wells.

"We never talked about the Sacramento offer because that was gone and that wasn't going to change," Scott said.

Wells' loss is clearly Houston's gain. Wells left both Portland and Memphis after being portrayed as a malcontent, but his 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds in 52 games with the Kings last season and a strong first-round playoff performance against San Antonio restored some of his luster. Wells and Ron Artest were a devastating forward combination and Artest personally lobbied for the Kings to re-sign Wells. Sacramento held Wells' Bird rights, meaning they could've paid him whatever they chose but drew the line with their offer slightly better than the mid-level exception.

Wells, a source said, originally wanted Phillips to land him a $50 million deal.

Denver, Boston, Charlotte and Miami also made offers but the Rockets did the best job of convincing Wells he was needed. The recruiting contingent included Yao Ming, GM Carroll Dawson, assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, coach Jeff Van Gundy, personnel director Keith Jones and Tracy McGrady, who called Bonzi directly to make his pitch.

Via ESPN

Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings

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Healthy McGrady Pushing For Rockets To Get Wells

Tracy McGrady said Wednesday he feels 100 percent health-wise and is pushing hard to get Bonzi Wells to come to Houston.

Wells' new agent, Merle Scott, said he expected Wells to make a decision by Friday. The Rockets, Nuggets, Heat and Bobcats are the leading interested teams, but the Rockets have an edge because of what they can offer both Wells and his old team, the Sacramento Kings.

While the Heat and Nuggets are right up against the luxury tax and thus would only acquire Wells through a sign-and-trade for another player, Houston could offer a sign-and-trade for a second-round pick and a trade exception worth $4.2 million left over from the deal that sent Moochie Norris to the Hornets last season. The Kings have said they do not want to take back additional salary that would put them above the luxury-tax threshold, and getting even a little something for Wells would be better than getting nothing.

McGrady hinted that he had pressed his pitch to Wells as recently as Wednesday morning, and said a decision from the nine-year veteran seemed imminent.

Via ESPN

Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat

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