Rockets trade No. 8 pick Gay to Memphis for Battier


By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

The Rockets got the break they wanted in the NBA Draft, then used it to
bring a player on no draft list in the shocker of the draft's top
picks.

With Connecticut forward Rudy Gay, who was considered a possibility
with the No. 1 pick, sliding to the Rockets at No. 8, the Rockets
worked a deal with the Grizzlies to send Gay to Memphis to pick up
forward Shane Battier.

Battier, a 6-8, 210 small forward, has averaged 10.5 points and 4.8
rebounds in his five-year career. He is considered among the league's
top defensive players, and a solid catch-and-shoot option, making 48.8
percent of his shots, 39.4 percent of his 3-pointers last season.

By moving for Battier as opposed to the vast, if unpredictable
potential of Gay, the Rockets indicated their preference for immediate
help.

Because of NBA rules, they are not permitted to finalize or discuss
deals until July 12.

Brandon Roy, the Washington shooting guard, looked to be the ideal fit
for the Rockets needs and lasted to within a few spots of the Rockets'
No. 8 pick. But he went to the Minnesota Timberwolves, picking at No.
6.

The Trail Blazers gave up point guard Sebastian Telfair to Boston to
pick up the No. 7 pick, but seemed to be targeting Roy. They took
Villanova guard Randy Foye, a combination shooting/point guard, leaving
Gay available to the Rockets.

The top of the draft offered few surprises.

Andrea Barnani, the 7-0 forward from Rome and Italian league power
Benetton Treviso went first. The Bulls, who coveted Tyrus Thomas,
switched draft positions with the Trail Blazers, and then took Thomas
at No. 4, after the Trail Blazers grabbed LaMarcus Aldridge and the
Charlotte Bobcats, in the first player chosen since Michael Jordan
because a part owner, took NCAA scoring champion Adam Morrison of
Gonzaga.

As expected, the Atlanta Hawks took Duke power forward Shelden Morrison
with the fifth pick.