They traded rookie Sean Singletary to the Phoenix Suns for D.J. Strawberry, who will have an outside chance to make the team.

The contracts of Ewing and Singletary would have become partially guaranteed Sept. 1. Singletary's contract is non-guaranteed unless he makes the team.

The Rockets have 13 players under contract and plan to add Dikembe Mutombo, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey, likely setting up a battle between Strawberry and small forward Mike Harris for the last roster spot.

--Point guard Rafer Alston issued an apology through his attorney for an incident that led to a drunken-driving charge. Arraignment had been postponed. Alston did not comment and his attorney would not discuss the case. Alston is free on bond.

"On behalf of Mr. Alston, he wishes to apologize to the Rockets and the fans," said Derek Hollingsworth, an attorney with the firm of?defense lawyer Rusty Hardin. "He never intended for this to happen. He is looking forward to putting this behind him."

--The Rockets made several front office moves, promoting Gersson Rosas to director of player personnel, succeeding Dean Cooper, who left the team last month to join the coaching staff of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and hiring Arturas Karnisovas as director of global scouting and international affairs.

Rosas, was elevated to director of scouting last season after three seasons as the team's personnel video coordinator/personnel scout.

Karnisovas, a former European player of the year after his college career at Seton Hall, played professionally in Italy, Greece, Spain and France and was a two-time Olympic bronze medalist for Lithuania.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Right now, I'm playing with two all-stars, two future Hall of Famers in their prime. And I've gotten better. I'm better now than I was five years ago, even than when I got defensive player of the year. Everybody's in their prime. This is my best opportunity to put a ring on my finger and help Houston get another championship." -- Ron Artest