| | HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets signed rookie guard Steve
Francis to a contract Wednesday, five days after acquiring his
rights from Vancouver in the largest trade in NBA history.
Francis, the second overall pick in the June draft, had refused
to sign with the Grizzlies, setting in motion a three-team,
11-player trade. Houston made the deal under the presumption it
would be able to get Francis under contract.
Although terms were not disclosed, Francis is due a three-year
contract worth about $9 million under the rookie salary cap. The
parameters of the deal would have been the same in Vancouver.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity to come for a long
time," Francis said. "I think I really worked hard to get myself
into this position and no matter what the money, I'm still the type
of person who loves to play basketball and have a love for the
game."
"Steve is a special player," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich
said. "I don't think you see a guy with his kind of talent come
around often. We feel blessed to have the opportunity to bring him
here and make him a big part of our future."
Francis joins a lineup of Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon and
Charles Barkley, although Barkley hasn't re-signed with Houston
yet.
Earlier this week, Francis said that with those guys as his
teammates he should lead the league in assists.
"If I don't ... something will be wrong," said Francis,
Houston's projected starting point guard.
Along with Francis, Vancouver sent journeyman forward Tony
Massenburg to Houston for forwards Othella Harrington and Antoine
Carr and guards Michael Dickerson and Brent Price. The Rockets also
gave the Grizzlies an undisclosed amount of cash plus a first-round
draft pick over the next three years.
Orlando sent Don MacLean and a future first-round pick to
Houston in exchange for the Grizzlies' Michael Smith, Lee Mayberry,
Rodrick Rhodes and Makhtar Ndiaye. The Magic also dealt their 2002
second-round pick to Vancouver.
The 6-foot-3 Francis, a second-team All-American in his only
season at Maryland, averaged 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5
assists while leading the Terrapins to a 26-5 record.
In the two previous seasons, Francis led Houston-area San
Jacinto Junior College and Alleghany Community College to unbeaten
records.
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