Wells Joining Rockets

[KG-MVP21]

ESPN - 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, Ric Bucher of ESPN writes.

"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.

[Scooby Dooby Doo]

I'm just glad to see Bonzi go somewhere other than Miami.

[REIGN]

So am I.

[Sham]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

[Camby]

I was really pulling in for Bonzi Wells to join the Denver Nuggets because he'd definitely be our second scoring option behind Carmelo Anthony & his big-banging body for the boards & his powerful low post play would've meshed well with our system. However, I'm glad that he went to Houston & not to a powerhouse team like Miami. Unfortuanately, I feel as if he'll be living under the shadows of Tracy McGrady & Yao Ming, but he'll probably be starting at SG & moving T-Mac to SF & Shane Battier towards the PF position. With a lineup like that plus Rafaer Alston & Yao Ming (even though he's a disgrace), the Rockets are definitely going to be a playoff team in the making for this postseason.

[7dogs]

Man, I was hoping the Mavs would make a bid for Bonzi, because he is exactly what we need, A low post banger. That is gonna make the SWC allot harder to win.

[Combs]

Dang, thats a cheap ass signing. Sucks.

[KG-MVP21]

Wells PF?