HOUSTON -- Eric Piatkowski signed a three-year, $8 million
deal with the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
"I think we have a great chance to win a lot of games and
that's the most important thing right now,'' Piatkowski said.
"Money was not a factor. This was a really, really good fit.''
The 6-foot-6 free-agent forward, who had spent his entire
nine-year career with the Los Angeles Clippers, has played in just three playoff games.
Piatkowski averaged 9.7 points last season, shooting just under 40 percent from 3-point range. He is the Clippers' career leader in 3-pointers.
He's hoping his shooting range will create scoring opportunities
for his new teammates, particularly All-Star guard Steve Francis
and 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming.
"I'm just going to make the team better. I'll spread the
floor,'' Piatkowski said. "Not a lot of teams want to leave me
when I'm out there on the floor. Either (his teammates are) going
to get an open shot or I'm going to get an open shot.''
Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said Piatkowski's
presence will give Yao more space to operate in the post.
"Guys like Eric spread the floor and make room for our
center,'' he said. "He makes the game a lot easier.''
Jeff Van Gundy, the Rockets' new coach, said he is looking
forward to having Piatkowski on the team.
"Eric has proven himself to be one of the league's better
perimeter shooters and his versatility, as well as his veteran
leadership, will be a great asset to our team,'' Van Gundy said.
Piatkowski, who was an unrestricted free agent, will more than
likely replace forward James Posey, who agreed to a four-year, $24
million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies last week. Houston
has 15 days to match the offer sheet.
Dawson said the Rockets were still evaluating the deal and
officials would do what is best for the team.