By NBA.com staff reports
Posted Dec 24 2008 2:04PM
Steve Francis' second stint in his first NBA home is over. In a deal first reported by the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Rockets traded Francis to the Grizzlies on Christmas Eve.
The trade sends Francis and a 2009 draft pick that Houston had previously received from the Grizzlies for a conditional pick in 2011, the Chronicle reports.
The move allows the Rockets to drop under the luxury tax threshold. They can sign another player, if desired.
Francis rose to fame in Houston from 1999-2004, when he was named co-Rookie of the Year (he shared the honor with Elton Brand in 2000) and was a three-time All-Star.
From 2004-07, Francis spent time with both the Magic and Knicks before being traded and having his contract bought out by the Trail Blazers in the summer of 2007.
The former No. 2 overall pick then signed with the Rockets but played in only 10 games in 2007-08 as he struggled with various injuries. He has yet to appear in a game this season.
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