Seeking another offensive option for training camp, the Rockets on Thursday reached agreement on a non-guaranteed contract with free-agent guard Rashad McCants, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. In a move reminiscent of last season's addition of Von Wafer, also a talented scorer who turned a long-shot chance into a strong season, the spot with the Rockets would offer McCants a chance to revive a stalled career and the Rockets a no-risk look. McCants, 25, has shown outstanding scoring ability in his four-year NBA career but also gained a reputation for being a locker-room malcontent in Minnesota, especially after he was benched when Kevin McHale, the general manager who drafted him, became coach.
A second-team All American at North Carolina, McCants was the 14th player taken in the 2005 NBA draft after helping the Tar Heels to the national championship.
McCants, a 6-4 shooting guard, averaged 9.6 points per game last season and has averaged 10 points per game in four seasons, most spent with the Timberwolves.
He was traded to the Sacramento Kings last season, averaging 10.3 points in just 19.4 minutes in 24 games with the Kings. But the Kings declined to make a qualifying offer, making McCants an unrestricted free agent.
When McCants signs, the Rockets will have 18 players under contract, 14 with guaranteed contracts, including Brent Barry, who is expected to be traded or released in a buyout agreement before the start of camp next week.
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
