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Rockets sign guard Anderson
HOUSTON - Free agent Derek Anderson signed with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday ¡ª yet another addition in a busy offseason for the team. Anderson, a 6-foot-5 guard, was released by the Portland Trail Blazers under the NBA's amnesty provision. "We think we've added another top-line piece of the puzzle and a great talent," general manager Carroll Dawson said. "To get a guy like this I feel very blessed. There are many ways that this guy can help our team win basketball games." Dawson likes his shooting and ball-handling skills and thinks that he's underrated as a passer. An eight-year veteran and former lottery pick, Anderson averaged 9.2 points and three assists last season for Portland. He will still receive $18.8 million from the Trail Blazers for the remainder of his contract, but the team will avoid paying future luxury tax on his salary. The Rockets said he was signed to a multiyear contract. It has been reported that it is a two-year deal worth $1.67 million. Both Dawson and Anderson said that he was offered more money to play elsewhere, but that he liked the challenge joining the Rockets. Houston already has several guards, including David Wesley, Jon Barry, Bob Sura and 2005 draft pick Luther Head. Coach Jeff Van Gundy said a major concern entering the season is the health of his backcourt as both Sura and Wesley recover from surgery. Anderson, who has averaged 13.1 points in his career, understands that he might not be a starter but said that he would work hard whatever his role is. "When you get an opportunity to get money and still go somewhere you got to think about what you really want as a person and as a player," he said. "I think this was a better fit for me to come here and challenge myself to play and be able to win a championship." Dawson said Tracy McGrady was excited about the addition of Anderson. McGrady has known him since high school when the Anderson was McGrady's host on his recruiting trip to Kentucky. "I told McGrady 'maybe you can host him now,'" Dawson said. Anderson's signing comes less than a month after Houston picked up power forward Stromile Swift. The Rockets have also recently re-signed Ryan Bowen and Barry. They released Clarence Weatherspoon under the same amnesty provision that made Anderson available. Even with all the changes, the Rockets might not be finished upgrading the team yet. Some talk had free agent Latrell Sprewell as another possible addition in Houston. With this recent move, the Rockets cannot afford to simply sign the 13-year veteran. But Sprewell could still come to Houston in a speculated, but unsubstantiated, sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota. Dawson did not comment on Sprewell directly but did say the team remains open to more changes. "If we can help our team we'll add someone else," he said. "We're always looking to help our team." Sprewell's agent said several teams are options for the player, but that he has expressed interest in Houston and playing for his former coach. "Latrell loves Van Gundy," agent Robert Gist said. "He respects Van Gundy as a coach. He has spoken to Van Gundy." Gist said he has not been in any talks about a possible sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota, but said that such a deal would be virtually the only way the Rockets could sign Sprewell. "I think that the Rockets are a Sprewell away from reaching the NBA Finals," Gist said.
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