Dampier to sign 1-year deal with Rockets
Veteran center Erick Dampier(notes) has reached agreement on a one-year contract with the Houston Rockets, his agent said Friday.
Dampier had considered signing with the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks. He had also spoken with the Miami Heat and had great interest in joining them, but it wasn't reciprocated by the team.
"Erick has made his decision to play for the Rockets," agent Dan Fegan told Yahoo! Sports. "That was a tough decision. Toronto was inviting for him. In the end, playing closer to home with the chance to be with his kids was a big factor."
Dampier thinks he can play a significant role with the Rockets because Yao Ming(notes) is limited to 24 minutes a game and can't play the second game of back-to-backs as he continues to recover from foot surgery.
Dampier's contract will pay him close to $2 million this season. The Rockets will have to either trade or waive a player to make room for him. League sources said the team was looking to deal someone for future considerations.
Dampier, 35, averaged six points and 7.3 rebounds in 55 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season.
