The Houston Rockets consummated the least-kept trade secret in the league today, sending a freshly re-signed free agent guard Mike Wilks, guard Adrian Griffin and guard Eric Piatkowski to the shooting-guard starved Chicago Bulls in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo.

The Rockets have long sought after a competent reserve center first for Hakeem Olajuwon and then for Yao Ming, but the acquisition of the eight-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year should shore up Houston's front line.

Mutumbo, 38, has battled injuries and the wrath of coaches in recent years, struggling to average 5.6 points and 6.7 rebounds with the Knicks last season. He made it known to Chicago executives that he preferred to finish his career with a title contender after being dealt to the Bulls in a multiplayer deal involving Jamal Crawford.

Mutombo joins a long list of Rockets with New York ties. Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy, Assistant Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, Assistant Coach Steve Clifford, Assistant Coach/Advance Scout Andy Greer, Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing, unsigned free agent guard Mark Jackson, guard Charlie Ward and forward Clarence Weatherspoon all are former Knicks. Longtime Knick forward Charles Oakley also spent time with the Rockets this past season on a series of ten-day contracts.