When you consider the time it took for both sides to come to an agreement and the relatively short term/low dollars of the deal, you have to wonder if Landry's future is very long in Houston.

After all, he's not likely to see much playing time this season.

That's because the Rockets are loaded down with contracts this season -- 20 in all. Houston opens camp on Tuesday with Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Mike James, Chuck Hayes, Luther Head, Bonzi Wells, Dikembe Mutombo, Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks, Mike Harris, Jackie Butler, Kirk Snyder, Justin Reed, Steve Novak, John Lucas III and Landry in the fold. Houston also still holds the expiring contract of Bobby Sura.

The Rockets will have to whittle that number down to 15 by the time the season starts. A trade is what Rockets GM Daryl Morey is likely still looking for, but barring a move, let's see if we can get a head start:

10 players are virtual locks to be on the roster: Yao, T-Mac, Francis, Battier, Scola, James, Hayes, Bonzi, Deke and Brooks. We've been told that Scola, Bonzi (who is in much better shape) and Brooks have been very impressive.

Alston and Head are potentially on the trading block. The Rockets have shopped Rafer most of the summer, but his contract (plus recent run-ins with the law) have made him difficult to move. Luther is an attractive trade asset who could lose playing time this season behind James and Francis.

Nonetheless, we're not considering the trade option, so both are in.

Considering that Morey and the Rockets stated publically months ago that they are trying to find a new home for Lucas III, it's just a matter of time before he's gone. Reed, despite holding a player option for one more season after this, is likely to be one of the most expendable to be cut.

That could leave 3 spots for Harris, Butler, Snyder, Novak and Landry.

Pencil (not pen) in one of those spots for Butler, who is a young big that can play both the four and five. This is Deke's final season, so Butler could be the Rockets long-term backup to Yao. We also continue to be told to not be surprised if Mike Harris makes the squad. Rockets coach Rick Adelman apparently loves his energetic play and he tore it up in the Vegas Summer League.

If Butler and Harris both earn spots, it's possible that Snyder, Novak and Landry could be fighting for just one roster spot later this month.