AROUND THE NBA : Francis Signs With Rockets

The Houston Rockets signed Steve Francis on Wednesday, five days after acquiring his rights from Vancouver in the largest trade in NBA history.

Francis, the second overall pick in the June draft, had refused to sign with the Grizzlies, setting in motion a three-team, 11-player trade. Although terms were not disclosed, Francis is due a three-year contract worth about $9 million under the rookie salary cap.

*

With his contract up at the end of next season and his periodic bouts of irregular heartbeat having been disclosed Tuesday, it is unclear whether Larry Bird will coach the Indiana Pacers beyond next season.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that Bird indicated to Pacer President Donnie Walsh the upcoming season would be his last as coach. Walsh told The Associated Press he never talked to Bird specifically about that, although he has been aware of that possibility all along.