The Return of the Franchise

Steve Francis is back in Houston, and could be the key to the Rockets finally making a deep run into the playoffs.

The Numbers (Francis with the Rockets)
- 19.3 Points Per Game
- 6.4 Assists Per Game
- 6.1 Rebounds Per Game
- 3 All-Star Game Appearances in 5 years

The deal is for two years and is worth approximately 6 million dollars.

With top offensive threats in Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Francis will now take on a third-option role, a role he has yet to have in his career.

Since Francis left, the Rockets have been to the playoffs twice, both ending with early exits in the First Round.

The Rockets hope that the move back to Houston will give both “Stevie Franchise” and the team new life.

And for the money this guy is making between the buyout and the new contract, I’d hope so too.

The "Franchise" Without A Franchise

In a somewhat stunning turn of events, the Portland Trail Blazers have decided to buy out Steve Francis’ gigantic contract ($34 million over the next two years). The news comes after Portland sent one of their best players, Zach Randolph, to the New York Knicks in order to acquire him.

The original deal-
Knicks Receive: Zach Randoph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones
Blazers Receive: Steve Francis and Channing Frye

The real deal (taking into consideration the buyout)-
Knicks Receive: Zach Randoph, Dan Dickau, and Fred Jones
Blazers Receive: Channing Frye and a loss of about thirty million dollars
———————
Good trade, Kevin Pritchard (Blazers’ GM).

If you didn’t think the Knicks got the advantage in this trade before, I think it’s clear now.

Soon, the “Franchise” will find himself looking for a new franchise to make a ridiculous deal with. And by the way, if he doesn’t join the Magic, Rockets, Knicks, or Blazers after the waiver period, it will be the fifth different team Francis decides to play for. Talk about not living up to a nickname.