Steve Francis Traded to Memphis

[Andrew]

Francis Dealt To Memphis

The Houston Rockets traded guard Steve Francis to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets included their 2009 second round draft choice with Francis.

In exchange, the Rockets receive a trade exception worth roughly $2.6 million and a conditional 2011 second round pick from Memphis.

The Grizzlies, then located in Vancouver, selected Francis with the second overall pick in the 1999 draft. Francis refused to play for the Grizzlies and was quickly traded to Houston.

I suppose it remains to be seen whether he'll ever play a game for them but it's kind of funny to see after everything that went down after they drafted him back in the day.

[hova-]

It's tough. To see what happens with a player of his potential. This kid really got game when he entered the league but I think his lack of working ethic and his controversial character really got him in the wrong direction. Being dealt to Memphis just for financial reasons and some future prospects is kind of the last thing happening to "stars" before they should or do retire.

Bye Stevie Franchise

[Andrew]

Indeed, it's not exactly the pinnacle of a player's career. It can also precede a career resurgence though.

[Fresh8]

Franchise has been hit with pretty tough injury which is why he barely played for Houston... it doesn't look good for him. Unfortunately this may be the end. It's a pity because I always thought it would be him and Yao who led the Rockets back to glory.

[Clueminati017]

It's sad to see one of the most popular point guards at the time coming out of his draft class fallen from grace. I know it's not the best for him to be traded to Memphis, but to him... I think he just needs to retire, and work in the front office for the Rockets or with the coaching staff at his college in University of Maryland.

[Modifly]

I actually felt bad for Francis. To him the Houston Rockets is like his second home, and he chose to sign with them prior to the 07-08 season rather than other teams because of this. It is where his career started, reached its peak, and I bet he wanted it to end there as well.

I thought the Rockets would trade him for something more "valuable" though, not for a conditional 2011 second round pick. It just made him look so worthless when he does actually worth more than that. I expected them to trade him for a player, not a future draft choice.

[Andrew]

But in all fairness, he's not in the rotation and frankly, what else could they get for him? A few years ago his trade value was high enough to land Tracy McGrady but with his potential reached, myriad of injuries and uncertain future, he's not going to command a superstar player or potential lottery pick in return.

It is unfortunate though. I've always disliked what he did when he was drafted, not being able to play for the team of your choice is the nature of the beast when it comes to the Draft but then he established himself as one of the more exciting players in the league to watch and someone who had a bright future. All things considered he has had a pretty successful career, there are plenty of players who haven't accumulated as many accolades or had the opportunity to be a team's number one option. He's one of those players that seemed to peak early and fall quickly however, rather than transitioning from up and coming young star to established star to veteran star/"elder statesmen".

Before we get too melodramatic though it's worth noting that he's only 31, the same age as Stephon Marbury. Both could resurrect their careers if the right opportunity comes along.

[Kenny]

I don't think he'll retire, I just think he'll become one of those players who bounces from team to team. I remember he was on this dvd I have called the Foundation and it was about players which franchises/dynasties are built around. It's a shame how his career has turned out to date, but as Andrew said, he still has time for redemption. Good luck to him

[Clueminati017]

Yeah he has redemption. I mean... He now has the opportunity to play for the Memphis Grizzlies which he can try to resurrect his career on what he was. He may not be the type of player we all seen back then, but he can be close to that and still become exciting to watch.

[Kenny]

Yeah he has redemption. I mean... He now has the opportunity to play for the Memphis Grizzlies which he can try to resurrect his career on what he was. He may not be the type of player we all seen back then, but he can be close to that and still become exciting to watch.

Exactly, and he has a chance to atleast finish his career the right way, but you never know, he could still have another 6 years in him or so.

[Fresh8]

Before we get too melodramatic though it's worth noting that he's only 31, the same age as Stephon Marbury. Both could resurrect their careers if the right opportunity comes along.

The problem is that the style of play he had when he was younger; it came to fruition through his athleticism. He even stated maybe 2 years ago that he was finding it tough to adjust to play to a style that suits his ability now that he is older. I think he struggled and after injury hit, he was out for a long time. He's been trying to get into the Rockets' playing rotation but that obviously hasn't happened. I hope he plays but I am just disappointed that he is not going to have much of an impact anymore. I hope he can prove me wrong.

[Valor]

Before we get too melodramatic though it's worth noting that he's only 31, the same age as Stephon Marbury. Both could resurrect their careers if the right opportunity comes along.

The problem is that the style of play he had when he was younger; it came to fruition through his athleticism. He even stated maybe 2 years ago that he was finding it tough to adjust to play to a style that suits his ability now that he is older. I think he struggled and after injury hit, he was out for a long time. He's been trying to get into the Rockets' playing rotation but that obviously hasn't happened. I hope he plays but I am just disappointed that he is not going to have much of an impact anymore. I hope he can prove me wrong.

same thoughts...hoping that Francis can adjust and become a star pg like he was before...

i bet Yao is not happy right now...

[Lamrock]

I have never liked Steve Francis, and so its good to see his fall from grace. He was never a very good PG in the first place, and now he will take Antoine Walker's space on the Grizzlies. I bet he retires by the end of the season.

[shadowgrin]

now he will take Antoine Walker's space on the Grizzlies.

The more reason to hate Francis then.

[The X]

I don't think he'll retire, I just think he'll become one of those players who bounces from team to team. I remember he was on this dvd I have called the Foundation and it was about players which franchises/dynasties are built around. It's a shame how his career has turned out to date, but as Andrew said, he still has time for redemption. Good luck to him

damn, I can't imagine anyone wanting to build a franchise around Steve Francis, even back when he was in his prime....I know he was a good athlete & good before injuries....heck, I actually liked the guy when he was a JC transfer to Maryland (he was my 2nd fav on that team behind Laron Profit)....but like Andrew, I stopped liking him on Draft Day....to see if get drafted number 2 overall by Vancouver Grizzlies, he looked like he was ready to break down in tears, looked like a spoilt kid at Xmas that didn't get what he wanted....he then demanded a trade out of Vancouver & would never play for them....

[Andrew]

I don't know about that, early on his future looked quite promising; the Rockets got back to the Playoffs and there was the possibility that with a bit of maturity in his attitude and game, he could at least be the number two guy once Yao came along. It just wasn't to be, though.

[Fresh8]

I think ego got in his way and Cat and Stevie both tried to keep Yao from being the number 1 man when Yao was being groomed to be the man.

[Kenny]

an NBA player with an ego? Now I know you're pulling my leg

[Fresh8]

All players have egos however some are bigger than others.

[The X]

All players have egos however some are bigger than others.

how big is yours?

not as big as mine though

[Kenny]

Haha yeah I know, I was just being a dickhead. He's got a big ego, but I hope he can be a contributor because I like the way he plays

[Fresh8]

how big is yours?

not as big as mine though

Don't get me started.

[Andrew]

Grizzlies To Work On Buyout With Francis

Chris Wallace, general manager of the Grizzlies, said the team and Steve Francis mutually agreed earlier this week to negotiate a contract buyout. Francis hasn't been with the team in more than a week and is in Houston with his family.

"I'm not sure when it will happen, but we're working out (a buyout)," Wallace said. "With older guys, it's always a possibility that you'd head in this direction."

Francis, 31, is scheduled to earn $2.64 million this season, the final year of his contract.

So much for finally playing for the Grizzlies nearly ten years after the drama at the beginning of his NBA career.

[Marek]

I suppose Francis' career has come to an end. I think nobody wants him. His injury was really tragical for him, the injury ruined his life as a basketball NBA player. Who will give him another chance...? We will see...But I hope some team will give him another shot, because he is a talented player.

[Andrew]

The same thing was said about Darius Miles though and he's still getting a chance to continue his NBA career. I'm not sure we've seen the last of Francis just yet though he's a long way removed from those All-Star appearances.