Rockets with available 4.5m cap space

[Kevin Lok <kevin.lok@lycosmail.com>]

fyi Mr Pitino and Mr Wallace, for a 3 way trade,
you can use Houston besides the
clippers/pacers/bulls.


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/456180

Room to deal -- The Rockets have far more roster
flexibility to make deals before the Feb. 24
trading deadline than many believe. But they also
have little sense of urgency.
With $4.5 million of trade exceptions left over
from last summer's blockbusters, the Rockets can
pick up $4.5 million more in salary than they
deal. But interest from other general managers has
been in the players the Rockets consider building
blocks and have little interest in moving.
The real value of holding $4.5 million worth of
flexibility might not come up until summer. The
exception must be used in a trade, but if they can
attract the right free agent, a sign-and-trade
arrangement can make the capped-out Rockets far
more of a player in the free-agent market than if
they spend the exception this month.
"It has to be done right," Rockets vice president
Carroll Dawson said. "You don't go out and make a
trade just because you're going to lose your
exception after a year. It has to be done the
right way, if it's beneficial for the franchise.
You can make some mistakes if you're not careful."