http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4080068.html Rockets finalize 3-year deal with Lucas By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Last season they got a brief look. This summer they've had their eyes opened. Liking what they've seen, the Rockets signed point guard John Lucas III to a three-year contract on Friday. "We had him with us for a 10-day contract and then a little longer and liked what we saw in John," said Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson. "Then he played for us in the summer league and showed tremendous progress. We think he has a future in the NBA." The former Oklahoma State star, who attended Bellaire High School, averaged just over eight minutes in only 13 games with the Rockets in the 2005-06 season and struggled at times to fit in, especially with his shooting. But when Lucas joined the Rockets' entry in the Las Vegas Summer League earlier this month, he was a heady, confident player who could get — and make — his own shots. He also distributed the ball well, averaging 23.4 points and 7.6 assists in leading the Rockets to a 5-0 record. Following his Las Vegas stint, Lucas drew interest from at least a half-dozen NBA clubs. But his emotional ties and the focus of his interest were always in his hometown. The Rockets also went a step further than other interested clubs, who wanted to sign him to a two-year contract. They used money they had left over in their mid-year exception to give him a slightly higher salary in his first season and then made the deal for three years total. "We like John and we see him as a project," said Dawson. "For that reason, we wanted to be able to keep him for a third year."
A very good signing... Look forward to the next 2 years seeing this kid play... Hopefully he will be the hidden talent we were looking for.
Probably enough to fix our PF problem...then our Backup C problem, and then get us a legitimate SG, to go with our Just in case PG issue, if Alston has another terrible shooting year.
see...so our offseason move is yet to complete...there are holes to fix.... i want bonzi wells for our sg..but itz not gonna be possible anyways....
Hope you are right, the Rockets need a couple more experienced players that can rebound and shoot. Then I will get excited, because they could become a legit contender.
It wouldn't suprise me if you are right, but I hope you are wrong as I don't think that the Rockets are contenders yet!
Funny that in a summer when we've made more additions to our backcourt than in recent history, never has it been such a looming weakness as present.
Happy to see JL3 on board, but as stated, he's a project... So much confusion in the backcourt right now, with the front court in worse shape. I just don't know if adding another project player is the best move right now, especially after passing on Rudy to "win now." Unless there is a strong trade in our future, I see us as just being a good team again, not an elite.. Hope I'm wrong.
How exactly is a McGrady, Battier, Yao frontcourt in bad shape? I would say it is probably the best frontcourt in the NBA.