Houston Rockets rumors: Mutual interest with Francisco Garcia
Entering the offseason, the Houston Rockets wanted to make a huge splash for the third consecutive year. In 2012, they acquired guard James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder and a year later, they made an even bigger move singing former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers’ center Dwight Howard as a free agent.
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The Rockets had to clear cap room in order to make another big move. They dealt center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a draft pick and later sent point guard Jeremy Lin, along with a future pick, to the Los Angeles Lakers. Swingman Francisco Garcia opted out of his contract and became an unrestricted free agent.
The Rockets went after New York Knicks’ free agent forward Carmelo Anthony and Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh, but each re-signed with their teams. They then settled on former Washington Wizards’ swingman Trevor Ariza, inking him to a four-year, $32 million deal. They also lost forward Chandler Parsons to the Dallas Mavericks.
Now the Rockets are attempting to bring Garcia back.
“We’ve talked about him,” [Garcia’s agent Aaron] Goodwin said of conversations with the Rockets via Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. “Francisco is just looking for the opportunity to continue to play toward a championship. We’re looking through his options, seeing what would be the best opportunities for him. He definitely has interest in the Rockets.”
The Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz have also reportedly shown interest in Garcia.
Garcia averaged 5.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 40.1% from the floor, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 52.6% from the free throw line. Garcia, who was originally selected with the 23rd-overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field, 36.1% from three and 80.2% from the charity stripe while playing for the Kings and Rockets during his nine-year NBA career.