I think we can put all this to bed. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4961670.html By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis, who has gone from the "Franchise" to a free agent, could be ready to bring his career back to where it began. Hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams — including the Rockets — to find him a home. "There is no secret Steve has a strong affinity for Houston and for the Houston Rockets," Fried said. "We're talking to a number of teams. Steve has some thinking to do." Fried said Francis, 30, is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, all of whom he said have shown interest or have been receptive to pursuing Francis. The Rockets have five point guards under contract (not including Bob Sura, who is expected to retire.) But Fried said that if the team reshapes its roster through a trade, there could be a place for Francis in Houston. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment about any interest in signing Francis. He has said he is seeking a trade that would bring the Rockets a power forward. The Rockets acquired Francis, 6-3, in an 11-player, three-team deal, then the largest in NBA history, in the months after the 1999 draft. He was traded to the Magic to acquire Tracy McGrady in 2004 and was sent the Knicks during the 2005-06 season. Francis became a free agent after the Trail Blazers bought out the two years left on the contract he signed with the Rockets for roughly $30 million. The Clippers have been aggressive in pursuing Francis, offering a chance to reunite him with friend and former teammate Cuttino Mobley, and friend and business partner Sam Cassell. The Heat's top priority has been free agent Mo Williams, but if unable to sign him, could pursue Francis next, Fried said. "Nothing is going to happen in the next day," Fried said. "The thing that will be important to him is to talk to the respective coaches." jonathan.feigen@chron.com
What would be ironic is if we managed to sign him and then traded him to Memphis for a powerforward. Won't happen, but damn would that be funny.
Lets see how long he and Sam stay "friends" when they're fighting for that starting spot at the point!
The original article seems suspect because of the dollars they cite, but I think it is a foregone conclusion that he'll ultimately go to the Clippers. Francis likes to play with friends, and he'll have them there. He'll get minutes and some freedom to operate. I'm surprised the Rockets are even pursuing him. I thought they gave up that chase when they traded for Mike James. To get Francis now, we'd have to clear Alston, and then we'd have two shoot-first pgs and no floor general. Unless we can trade James again. Plus, with McGrady taking all the shots, Francis' scoring threat will be somewhat wasted. Houston's a bad spot for him. Lakers all signing Fisher, so they're probably out of the hunt. Mavs and Heat both have good, healthy, young pgs already, who would crowd Francis out. Clippers is the obvious choice.
I'm confused and don't have the time right now to dig through all this. So is the chronicle story from this morning (?) about Francis considering Houston outdated and he has signed with the Clippers?
Him going to the Clippers will make them a good team. Not a championship team but a better team then people give them credit for..... Kaman: Decent center that can give you a 10-10 Brand: One of the top 5 pf in the league Maggette: Great scorer with the ability to get to the line makes him unguardable. Mobley: Isn't the player he was for the Rox but still a nice good player Francis: Like Mobley isn't the player he was for the Rox but i believe he is better then he was for the Knicks.... Bench Davis: Four year college player entering his second year and has the potential to be servicable Thomas: People call him a dawg but he can still strecth the floor with his three point shooting and gives you 11 and 5. That not bad for a backup up four making the MLE. He gives you more then Stro Swift Thornton: 24 year old rookie who has been regarded as the most ready NBA rookie of the 2007 draft. He's been compared to Maggette and appears ready to contribute off the bench. Ross: He's compared to a young Bruce Bowen. Not that great of an offensive player but he is a good defensive player that doesn't takes bad shots or makes many mental mistakes. Cassell: If he's healthy he could make a great backup pg. All the clippers need to do is let the game stay close and Cassell can work his magic in the fourth quarter....
Just in this guys blog. Was watching ESPN at lunch and it mentioned that Houston was interested in him...
I think that roster is at best mediocre. Having SF, Cat, Brand and Maggette on the floor at the same time doesn't work. Neither guard is a good playmaker for others. There won't be enough basketballs to go around and that team will self-destruct. They are an 8th seed if lucky. What makes Sam so great is that while he is often a "score first" PG, he doesn't subtract from the offensive rhythm of other players. SF most definitely will.
Alston is an asset. I've never considered him starter quality for the Rocks at the 1, but he is an excellent backup point, something a lot of teams would like to have. I don't want Alston to be our "floor general." In my opinion, we still don't have one. James brings more to the table than Alston, but is not much more of a pure point than Francis. If Alston gets traded, we need someone behind James besides the rookie. (who I think is going to be pretty good) Honestly, I wanted Francis during the season, when rumors had him being bought out by Thomas in time to sign for us cheap. If Francis is cheap, he'd provide depth, but if he's looking for MLE money, he should go somewhere else.
Floor general, blah blah blah. We need athletes and basketball players. Not specialists and worthless point guards.
I'm not the biggest proponent of bringing francis back but the rockets need people who can create their own shot. mcgrady is the floor general.
