The ridiculously long wait is over on Carl Landry.
The Rockets restricted free agent forward signed an offer sheet with the Bobcats on Wednesday, giving the Rockets seven days to match the contract and keep Landry in Houston.
"Landry is an emerging NBA talent, as evidenced by his play over the final 42 regular-season games and into the Rockets first-round playoff appearance," said Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins on the Bobcats website. "His ability to play both the power forward and center position will complement our post play."
Center position? Anyhow, the deal is rumored to be a two-year, $6 million contract with a team option on the third season -- making the total package value up to $9 million for 3 seasons.
Negotiations with Landry's agent Buddy Baker had become very tense over the summer so it was no secret the Rockets wanted Landry to prove his market value by putting terms on paper with someone. To his credit he was finally able to do that.
Will the Rockets match? I believe so. It is just a two-year deal as far as guaranteed dollars go, meaning Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is not committing any money past the 2010 mark when the Rockets could free up a ton of money. However, over the last month or two I had heard that the Rockets had genuine concern that Landry might need reconstructive surgery on his knee. Whether that was reality or a bargaining ploy remains to be seen.
