Unfortunately, Big Kev was the odd man out in the paint for the Rockets.
Free agent center Kevin Willis inked a deal with the San Antonio Spurs today as the 40-year old ironman will backup David Robinson and Tim Duncan. The move keeps Willis in the state and in the same division as Houston.
"We started talking about 10 days ago," Willis told the San Antonio Express-News. "When I knew they were serious, I said, 'Yeah, I can play with those guys.' Even when I was in Houston, I always figured it would be nice to play here."
Willis was acquired by the Rockets last October, a week before the season started, for a second round pick in a three-way deal with Denver and Milwaukee. He averaged just over 6 points and 5.8 boards in less than 7 minutes per contest.
It was Big Kev's second stint in Clutch City as he signed a free agent deal with Houston in August of 1996, the same day the Rockets acquired Charles Barkley from the Suns. His best season in Houston was 1997-98 when he averaged 16.1 points and 8.4 boards on 51% shooting and had one memorable and nasty slam in Dikembe Mutumbo's mug.
He was traded in the summer of 98 to Toronto for the 16th and 18th picks in that draft, which amounted to Bryce Drew and Mirsad Turkcan.
This is Willis' 7th team as he has played with the Hawks, Heat, Warriors, Rockets (twice), Raptors and Nuggets.
