Francis avoids Heat, signs with Rockets
It was only 13 months ago that the Heat won the NBA title. Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley still are with the team and South Beach remains a hot spot for athletes.
Yet the Heat isn't a top destination for free agents this summer. So far, the team's not a destination at all.
Point guard Steve Francis was the latest free agent to spurn the Heat. Francis decided to sign with the Houston Rockets instead of the Heat, agent Jeff Fried said Thursday.
Francis agreed to a two-year contract with a player option for the second season, Fried said. He declined to comment on the details, but Francis was willing to accept a modest contract after securing a $30 million buyout from Portland and the Heat was able to offer as much as Houston. Read more