Rockets sign guard Anderson

　　HOUSTON - Free agent Derek Anderson signed with theHoustonRockets on Tuesday — yet another addition in a busyoffseason forthe team.

　　Anderson, a 6-foot-5 guard, was released by the PortlandTrailBlazers under the NBAs amnesty provision.

　　We think weve added another top-line piece of the puzzle andagreat talent, general manager Carroll Dawson said. To get aguylike this I feel very blessed. There are many ways that thisguycan help our team win basketball games.

　　Dawson likes his shooting and ball-handling skills and thinksthathes underrated as a passer.

　　An eight-year veteran and former lottery pick, Andersonaveraged9.2 points and three assists last season for Portland. Hewillstill receive $18.8 million from the Trail Blazers fortheremainder of his contract, but the team will avoid payingfutureluxury tax on his salary.

　　The Rockets said he was signed to a multiyear contract. Ithasbeen reported that it is a two-year deal worth $1.67million.

　　Both Dawson and Anderson said that he was offered more moneytoplay elsewhere, but that he liked the challenge joiningtheRockets. Houston already has several guards, includingDavidWesley, Jon Barry, Bob Sura and 2005 draft pick LutherHead.

　　Coach Jeff Van Gundy said a major concern entering the seasonisthe health of his backcourt as both Sura and Wesley recoverfromsurgery.

　　Anderson, who has averaged 13.1 points in his career,understandsthat he might not be a starter but said that he wouldwork hardwhatever his role is.

　　When you get an opportunity to get money and still gosomewhereyou got to think about what you really want as a personand as aplayer, he said. I think this was a better fit for me tocomehere and challenge myself to play and be able to winachampionship.

　　Dawson said Tracy McGrady was excited about the additionofAnderson. McGrady has known him since high school when theAndersonwas McGradys host on his recruiting trip to Kentucky.

　　I told McGrady maybe you can host him now, Dawson said.

　　Andersons signing comes less than a month after Houston pickeduppower forward Stromile Swift. The Rockets have alsorecentlyre-signed Ryan Bowen and Barry. They released ClarenceWeatherspoonunder the same amnesty provision that made Andersonavailable.

　　Even with all the changes, the Rockets might not befinishedupgrading the team yet. Some talk had free agent LatrellSprewellas another possible addition in Houston.

　　With this recent move, the Rockets cannot afford to simplysignthe 13-year veteran. But Sprewell could still come to Houstonin aspeculated, but unsubstantiated, sign-and-trade dealwithMinnesota.

　　Dawson did not comment on Sprewell directly but did say theteamremains open to more changes.

　　If we can help our team well add someone else, he said.Werealways looking to help our team.

　　Sprewells agent said several teams are options for theplayer,but that he has expressed interest in Houston and playingfor hisformer coach.

　　Latrell loves Van Gundy, agent Robert Gist said. HerespectsVan Gundy as a coach. He has spoken to Van Gundy.

　　Gist said he has not been in any talks about apossiblesign-and-trade deal with Minnesota, but said that such adeal wouldbe virtually the only way the Rockets could signSprewell.

　　I think that the Rockets are a Sprewell away from reachingtheNBA Finals, Gist said.