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Reports: Swift reaches agreement with Rockets
July 19, 2005

HOUSTON (AP) -- Free-agent forward Stromile Swift has reached an agreement to sign with the Houston Rockets, according to reports Monday.

Swift's agent, Andy Miller, told several Houston media outlets that Swift had agreed to join the Rockets and was excited about joining a front line that includes All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

``That's real, real big for us,'' McGrady, who worked to recruit Swift, told the Houston Chronicle from Czechoslovakia. ``I'm going to do my best to turn him into an All-Star player, too. I thought that he was the guy we were missing. He'll add more depth, more athleticism.''

Miller would not disclose terms, but KPRC-TV and the Chronicle reported that the contract would be worth about $30 million over five years -- consistent with the midlevel salary exception available to the Rockets, who are over the salary cap.

Miller said Swift, who lives in Shreveport, La., has long been interested in the Rockets.

``It's almost considered to be his home team, more so than even the New Orleans team,'' Miller told KRIV-TV. ``He knows how good a coach Jeff Van Gundy is and how much he will get out of him as a player.''

The Rockets are seeking reinforcements after losing a seven-game series to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs last season. Houston hasn't won a playoff series since 1997.

Miller would not comment when reached by The Associated Press on Monday.

Swift spent his first five NBA seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging nine points and five rebounds. He averaged career highs of 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2001-02, his second season. Memphis reached the playoffs the last two seasons with Swift, but didn't win a postseason game, getting swept by San Antonio in 2004 and Phoenix this year.

The Grizzlies, then in Vancouver, made Swift the No. 2 pick in 2000 after his sophomore season at LSU, when he led the Tigers to the round of 16 for the first time in 13 years.

[ Last edited by shaqkobe on 2005-7-19 at 09:59 PM ]