Francis Is Shipped to Rockets in 11-Player, Three-Team Deal

Steve Francis got his trade wish, and the Houston Rockets got a young dynamo they hope can help their three aging superstars return to the NBA finals.

In an 11-player deal that was the largest in NBA history, Vancouver added some much-needed depth in return for the rights to Francis, picked No. 2 overall in the June draft but adamant in vowing not to play in Canada.

“I feel so relieved and so at peace because I’ve always thought about playing on a good team,” Francis said Friday night in an interview with KRIV-TV. “With three Hall of Fame players on the team, I’m in a position to help myself and not have a lot of pressure on me to come in my first year and do a lot.”

Vancouver also sent journeyman forward Tony Massenburg to Houston for forwards Othella Harrington and Antoine Carr and guards Michael Dickerson and Brent Price. The Rockets also owe the Grizzlies one first-round draft pick over the next three years.

The deal evolved over two weeks but took a turn Friday morning when Orlando got involved. The Magic sent Don MacLean and a future first-round draft pick to Houston and got Michael Smith, Lee Mayberry, Rodrick Rhodes and Makhtar Ndiaye from the Grizzlies. The Magic also dealt its 2002 second-round pick to Vancouver to round out the deal.

Vancouver also signed veteran free-agent forward Dennis Scott.

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The Chicago Bulls keep looking for future help from their past. First, they signed ex-center Will Perdue. Now they’re on the verge doing the same with guard B.J. Armstrong, who played on the first three of six Bull teams that won NBA titles in the 1990s. . . .

Phil Johnson resigned as head coach at San Jose State to accept an assistant coaching position with the Bulls under Tim Floyd. Steve Barnes, an associate coach at Iowa State last year, was named to replace Johnson. . . .

The Utah Jazz signed free-agent center Olden Polynice, who spent last season in Seattle. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. . . .

The Dallas Mavericks re-signed forwards Gary Trent (two years, $4.2 million) and Cedric Ceballos (two years, $7.4 million). . . .

A man who impersonated Maverick point guard Robert Pack was arrested in New York. Anwar Bostic was arrested at his home on outstanding warrants, said New York City police officer Chris Cottingham, who didn’t have any other details. . . .

The Lakers and Jazz will play an exhibition game at the Arrowhead Pond on Oct. 28.