Rockets re-sign Mutombo to two-year deal
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-27 09:04

HOUSTON - Dikembe Mutombo signed a two-year deal with the Houston Rockets on Friday and plans to retire after the 2006-07 season.

"I don't see myself playing after this contract," the 39-year-old center said.

Mutombo's return gives the team a solid backup to All-Star center Yao Ming. The 7-foot-2 Mutombo is an eight-time All-Star and four-time defensive player of the year.

"In our opinion he was the best backup in the league last year," Rockets vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey said. "He provided an immense number of wins when Yao was in foul trouble or we were struggling on the defensive end. Our locker room is a really special group of guys and Dikembe, being the elder statesman, is a leader in many of those aspects."

Mutombo was selected No. 4 overall by Denver in the 1991 draft. He also played with Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York before he was acquired by the Rockets last season in an offseason trade with the Chicago Bulls.

Mutombo's agent, David Falk, said his client's decision to stay in Houston was not about signing a lucrative contract but about being on a team and in a city that supports him.

"I just told (Falk) to get the deal done," Mutombo said.

Inking a backup center is only the latest move in a busy offseason for the Rockets. Earlier this week, the team signed free agent guard Derek Anderson, and the team has also reached deals with veteran guard Jon Barry and free agent forward Stromile Swift.

"The heavy lifting is over," Lindsey said.

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