Hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams ¡ª including the Rockets ¡ª 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."