http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0724/1585290.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement on a three-year contract with Eric Piatkowski, taking the best available long-distance shooter off the open market, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. Financial terms weren't available immediately, but the move also confirms that the Rockets won't be matching Memphis' four-year, $24 million offer to restricted free agent James Posey. Houston deemed Piatkowski a more cost-efficient option, given its $55 million payroll and need for a perimeter specialist. The formal signing of Piatkowski, 32, is scheduled for Saturday. The 6-6 swingman, a career 40.2-percent shooter from three-point range, has spent his entire nine-season career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Piatkowski just completed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Clippers -- the longest deal ever bankrolled by owner Donald T. Sterling before Sterling broke from his thrifty tradition to match Miami's six-year, $82 million offer to Elton Brand. </div>
