According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy was at Mike James' front door at 11:01pm Friday night, the first minute that teams could negotiate with free agents.
That James wants to return to the Rockets is no secret, and Houston wants him back. The question is what it will take to sign him, as the Rockets can only offer the full mid-level exception (5-years, $30-35 million).
Stein goes on to say that James said in March -- several months into his breakout season -- that he never stopped thinking about the Rockets because "I thought I would be doing this for Houston."
The ESPN columnist also says the Rockets could face stiff competition from the Mavericks for James.
The more I think about this Shane Battier deal, the more I can say: It's still hideous. Getting Battier is great, but the value the Rockets gave up is mind-boggling.
But... one thing is for sure, adding Battier and James to the Rockets' starting lineup would greatly bolster the team's three-point shooting, where the likes of Keith Bogans and Rafer Alston shotputted miserably last season.
