Maggette's brother to ESPN: Brand will ask for a sign and trade to Utah.

It's in the Rockets' best interest to see Elton Brand sign the one-year tender offer. The more free agents that are available this next summer, the more valuable Glen Rice's expiring contract will become. If the Rockets don't deal Rice this summer, they will have a true carrot to dangle come January/February to a struggling team looking for a change.

At the same time, I wonder if seeing the big name studs (Kidd & O'Neal) re-up with their respective teams (as most NBA superstars are doing. The most money talks) is souring some teams. Hit-and-miss really. Miami has cap room and doesn't seem to have much going on. Denver on the other hand seemed to change their franchise significantly.