Rockets Sign Mo Taylor

Maurice Taylor may not have signed for the money he hoped, but the power forward did get his wish of becoming an ex-Clipper on Friday when he signed a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets.

Taylor, who led the Clippers in scoring the last two seasons, signed a salary cap exception contract worth $2.5 million after coming close to a similar deal with the Seattle SuperSonics earlier in the week.

Taylor, who sought a six-year, $70.9-million contract extension from the Clippers before the start of last season, also had been linked to Orlando, New York, Indiana and Toronto in recent weeks.

“When it came down to it, I felt that Houston was the best place for me,” Taylor said. “Houston needed another presence in the post, to help guys out on the perimeter. One thing I want to do is win basketball games. With guys like Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, we can win championships.”

This is the second year in a row that the Rockets were able to land a choice free agent for below market value. Last year, swingman Shandon Anderson became a Rocket after falling from the top level of free agents.

The Rockets had been pursuing Taylor since July, but their recruiting efforts picked up after he turned down a three-year, $17.5-million offer from the Raptors. Houston became Taylor’s choice once a four-team, 13-player deal involving the Knicks’ Patrick Ewing and the SuperSonics’ Vin Baker collapsed, taking Seattle out of the picture.

Taylor, who averaged 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in three seasons with the Clippers, will have a chance to earn a lucrative long-term contract with the Rockets next season when the team is expected to have more room under the salary cap.

Houston Coach Rudy Tomjanovich thinks highly of Taylor’s game. The Rockets are aware of Taylor’s lack of rebounding prowess, but covet his scoring ability in the low post.

“Talking to Steve [Francis] and Cuttino [Mobley] showed me this is where I belong,” Taylor said.

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Mo Taylor at a Glance

Height: 69

Weight: 260 pounds

Born: Oct. 30, 1976

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1999-2000 Averages

Points: 17.1

Rebounds: 6.5

Field goal pct.: 464

Free throw pct.: 711

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Career Averages

Points: 14.8

Rebounds: 5.2

Field goal pct.: 466

Free throw pct.: 716