Wells signs with Rockets

[Rimage]

...eh...whatever...this offseason needs to end as soon as possible.

 

[James]

beat me to it. i was just about to post this. this is a very good contract i think im shocked the Cavs didnt try to make a move for him. very disapointing. but then again, the guy has baggage.

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.

"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.

The Rockets go into training camp next week with a potential starting lineup of Rafer Alston, McGrady, Shane Battier (acquired in a draft-night trade for Stromile Swift and No. 8 pick Rudy Gay), Juwan Howard and Yao, with Wells as the sixth man, but if Wells plays as he did against the Spurs he could challenge Battier and Howard for one of the starting forward spots.

"Bonzi doesn't care about starting," Scott said. "He just wants to be some place he can contribute."

Link To ESPN

 

[Mac]

We already have a crazy amount of wings

 

[CornerThree]

We already have a crazy amount of wings

Yeah, but all the backup ones suck. Too bad this guy is a giant douche though.

 

[Rimage]

Well, we could get uncharacteristically lucky and actually have Luke or Pavlovic pan out. Pavs showed signs of being solid when he was a starter and Luke never really got a fair shake. They are long shots but they are still there.

 

[The Oi]

Yeah, but all the backup ones suck. Too bad this guy is a giant douche though.

I'd rather have a giant douche than a turd sandwich.

 

[blackmagicGTI]

As long as he signed with someone in the West, I don't care. I didn't want to see him going to Miami or another East team.

 

[Style]

I think you take the risk for $5 Mil over 2 years. That's bargain basement prices. You then look to move some of the other wings. I think we could find takers for Sasha or Damon. I'd even shop Larry a bit and see what I could get, but it'd have to be some good value in return.

 

[CleveRocks]

Hornets should have made an attempt at least. With wells they would have started:

Chris Paul
Bonzi Wells
Peja Stojakovic
David West
Tyson Chandler.

If George Shinn wasn't such an A$$ they might actually contend with that lineup.

 

[Mac]

Hornets have Chandler?

 

[cdt]

Yeah the Hornets deal Jr Smith and PJ Brown for Chandler.

Then the Bulls traded Jr Smith for 2 2nd Rounders.. (****ing idiots)

 

[Style]

Two second rounders for J.R. seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[Kypus]

I agree. JR Smith has no heart, which he will prove again in Denver. They badly need someone to step up at SG, but he'll let George Karl own him and spend several months in the doghouse.