Former Clipper Woodson Signs With Rockets, Rejoins Coach Don Chaney

The Houston Rockets signed free-agent guard Mike Woodson to a five-year contract Tuesday, one day after trading Robert Reid to the Charlotte Hornets.

New Rocket Coach Don Chaney said one of his immediate needs has been met with the signing of Woodson, who played under Chaney with the Clippers. The Rockets’ other need is for a forward to play alongside center Akeem Olajuwon.

Woodson said deciding which team to play was a new experience for him since being traded three times throughout his nine-year National Basketball Assn. career.

“I wanted to get out of L.A.,” said Woodson, who played for the Clippers the last two seasons. “The last two years have been very, very frustrating as far as winning ballgames.”

Woodson, who is the first player signed by the Rockets under the new collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the player’s association, said he also talked with Phoenix, Detroit and the Clippers.