Hmmm.

"Steve loved the fans and his teammates. He's very friendly with Cuttino, but also pretty friendly with Yao. Many of us thought the beginnings of something there big with a great center and great point guard."

Francis has averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds in his five seasons with the Rockets. He averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.6 assists in the Rockets' first-round playoff loss to the Rockets.

Only Francis, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and Grant Hill have averaged 15 points, five assists and five rebounds in each of their first five seasons.

HoustonChronicle.com - Rockets near deal to trade Francis