<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LAS VEGAS ? The Rockets took their search for a power forward around the planet and found just what they wanted available.The Rockets completed a deal to land the rights to forward Luis Scola, one of the stars of Argentina's 2004 gold-medal-winning Olympic team and twice the MVP of the Spanish league. They will send guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a 2009 second-round pick and cash to San Antonio for Scola and reserve center Jackie Butler.Scola, a 6-9, 230-pound forward who was the 56th player taken in the 2002 NBA draft, had been one of the most coveted unsigned players in the world but became increasingly difficult to sign as he emerged as the star of Tau Ceramica (Vitoria, Spain), one of the top powers in Europe.The Spurs permitted the Rockets to talk with Scola, 27, in recent days and, although contract negotiations were not permitted, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was confident Scola was ready to make the move to the NBA.``We're planning to sign Luis,'' Morey said. ``He's excited to play in Houston. We expect to see him in a Rockets uniform next year. Luis is very motivated to come to the league and is very motivated to play with Yao (Ming) and Tracy (McGrady).``The Spurs gave us permission to speak with him about three days ago, and we had a long conversation.''</div>Update:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Rockets have come to a "basic agreement" with Argentine star Luis Scola, less than 24 hours after acquiring his draft rights from the San Antonio Spurs."We're working on the contract, but we've got a basic agreement, an understanding," George Bass, Scola's agent said Friday."He's actually taking the physical right now in Argentina."The Rockets traded guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a 2009 second-round draft pick and cash to the Spurs for the rights to Scola and center Jackie Butler.Scola is expected to sign a three-year deal worth roughly $10 million."He's so excited, he probably didn't sleep a wink last night." Bass said."He's thrilled, this has been his dream for five years."</div>Link
