Chron: The Rockets owe the Grizzlies a first-round pick this season or next as part of the trade in which the Rockets acquired Steve Francis.

The Rockets can send the Grizzlies either their own first-round pick this season or next season, or a another team's pick in the top 15 of the draft or within two spots of the Rockets' pick.

The Rockets are not about to send Memphis their own lottery pick. But the Toronto Raptors' playoff run has offered another potential option.

If the Raptors, currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, reach the playoffs, the Rockets would receive their first-round pick as part of the sign-and-trade deal that sent Hakeem Olajuwon to Toronto. They could then move that pick to Memphis to satisfy that commitment, thereby removing any risk of losing their own first-rounder next season.

"Obviously, it would be their decision to make," Grizzlies general manager Billy Knight said. "I would not have any decision to make. If they want to send it to us, we would have to take it."

Toronto could catch Charlotte or Philadelphia, get the 16th pick and send the Rockets a pick that the Grizzlies would not have to take. But Knight would not say if he would accept a pick that he would not have to take.

The Grizzlies owe the Pistons a first-round pick this season or next, but will keep their choice this season because it will fall in the top five. Next season, it is protected only if in the top two.

Memphis: Houston still owes the Grizzlies a first-round draft pick to satisfy the terms of the deal.
The Griz could have claimed the pick this year if the Rockets were not lottery bound. Even so, Houston could have another first-round pick to offer.

Should the Toronto Raptors earn a playoff berth then their first-round pick automatically goes to Houston. The pick likely would be between 14 and 16 - high enough for the Rockets to try and entice the Grizzlies.