The Rockets have officially traded forward Juwan Howard to Minnesota for former Rocket guard Mike James as expected, but Houston also will receive 6-foot-8 forward Justin Reed as part of the swap.

Management re-introduced James as a Rocket to the media at a 4:30pm press conference Thursday and new coach Rick Adelman expressed excitement about bringing James on board.

"We're hoping to push the ball and create quick opportunities [and] I think one of the things the team does need is someone who can break people down and get to the basket," said Adelman. "We're going to create opportunities for that but his history is doing that. I'm really pleased that we were able to get him. It just adds another dimension to you offensively that we don't have right now. The more people you can add that can shoot the ball, pass it and create, the better off you are."

For his part, James was happy to be back in Houston.

"I'm excited," said James. "It was a tough year last year. This is where my family and wife are from and this is where I'm making my home even after basketball, so to be playing in the same city that I'm calling home is definitely a good feeling. Being somewhere where I feel like I'm wanted and wanting to be, I'm excited about that also."

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey called James a "proven player who will add championship experience and scoring punch to our team" and cited that he had him when he was with the Celtics. Even former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, commenting on local radio, called James a "significant addition" for the Rockets.

I can't stress this enough -- great move by the Rockets. This is low-risk and potentially high-reward. This was the most realistic of the trade proposals that we had discussed up to this point (see James' Potential Rocket Profile) and sure enough it came to fruition. Houston was looking to move Juwan and get a new power forward regardless this season, yet they managed to move his contract for a guy who has the potential to provide a big boost in an area of weakness (backcourt scoring) for this team.

But now the Rockets have a glut of backup point guards and no power forwards to speak of, with Chuck Hayes currently a restricted free agent. Morey knows there's more work to do.

"This was a key one. Scoring punch and the one spot [but] if you look at our roster we've got some work to do at the big spot," said Morey. "One of the good things about this move is it preserves our flexibility. We've got the full mid-level, we've got some tradeable assets that we can put to that spot. We've got some options available to upgrade the team with this trade."

The Rockets acquired James in February of 2005 for Reece Gaines and a pair of second-round picks. James made an immediate impact that season, averaging 12.5 points on 43.5% shooting (39.3% from long range) and 2.9 assists in just 25.7 minutes a night behind Bobby Sura and David Wesley. The Rockets were 19-8 in games where James played, despite losing Howard to an injury just 8 games in.

But the Rockets traded James to Toronto for Rafer Alston as training camp started the next season and the deal has received mixed reviews ever since. James exploded that season for the Raptors, averaging 20.3 points and 5.8 assists and did it with brilliant shooting percentages (46.9% from the floor and 44.2% from long range). After flirting with a Rocket return last summer and claiming the Rockets reluctance to give him a trade kicker in his contract pushed him away, James signed with Minnesota as a free agent.

The 6-foot-8 Reed is likely more of a throw-in as a 9th/10th guy since the Rockets will probably be trading players off their bench in future moves, but he's got size and Morey knows him from his Celtics days (Reed was drafted 41st overall by Boston in the 2004 Draft). Still, this reminds me some of the Rockets getting Gaines in the Tracy McGrady deal. He's fairly young and there's some upside, but it's limited.

As for Juwan Howard, he will be missed in a lot of ways. He came over from Orlando in the McGrady trade as well and he always played hard, was a great teammate and was classy and professional throughout. It was impressive how he overcame a heart infection last season to come back strong this year.

However, the Rockets needed a different kind of power forward, and unfortunately, with two years remaining on Juwan's contract at about $7 million per, it was going to be hard to accomplish a solid trade. To get a player who could fit the Rockets' position needs in exchange for Juwan was a smart move here by the organization.

We wish you the best of luck in Minnesota, Juwan.