The Houston Rockets have rescinded their offer to Rashad McCants.

"Unfortunately Rashad is still recovering from an abdominal injury that would have made it very difficult for him to earn a spot on our roster," GM Daryl Morey said. "We were looking forward to seeing him compete with the mix of guards we have in camp, but he simply would not have been completely healthy. We are open to taking another look at him down the line when his condition improves."

The Rockets reached agreement with Romel Beck, a 6-8 guard/forward who has starred with the Mexican National team.

Beck played at UNLV and professionally in Italy before a stint in the Mexican League. He spent one season in the NBA Development League and played with the San Antonio Spurs summer league team.

The Rockets began camp short-handed after the team chose not to sign Rashad McCants because of an abdominal injury. Shane Battier left Tuesday?s evening practice with a hamstring pull, though the injury is not considered serious.

Brent Barry has not reported to camp with the Houston Rockets.

The club is attempting to trade the veteran swingman, or negotiate a buyout.

Rockets star Tracy McGrady is feeling good, but won't rush back from knee surgery.

"It's only seven months out, post-op," McGrady said Monday. "It's not time to really rush it back. Confidence-wise, running, cutting, jumping -- I have that right now."

McGrady underwent a risky microfracture procedure on his left knee on Feb. 24, and doctors said his recovery could take up to 12 months.

Houston general manager Daryl Morey said McGrady will have an MRI exam Nov. 23.

"We're just taking it each step at a time," Morey said. "If he can play after Nov. 23, I think he'll still be ahead of schedule. But we don't know what the MRI is going to show."

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady will not be cleared to practice with his teammates on Tuesday when training camp officially begins.

Team officials told the Houston Chronicle of the news on Monday.

McGrady will continue rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his knee through Nov. 23. He will then undergo an MRI to determine whether he can begin practicing.

The Rockets have signed general manager Daryl Morey to a contract that will keep him with the team through the 2012-13 season.

The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement on Thursday night.

Morey's first contract with the Rockets expired after the 2008-09 season.

Rockets center Yao Ming has vowed to return to the court in the wake of major foot surgery.

"The [X-ray] picture looks good. The bones heal well," Yao told a Houston television station.

The center added that there is no chance that he will play this season.

"The answer is no. You don't want to rush it, because they want it to totally heal this time. I have been in this situation enough," Yao said.

He underwent surgery in May to repair a hairline fracture in his left foot suffered late in a playoff game against the Lakers.

The Rockets signed Rashad McCants to a non-guaranteed contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday.

McCants averaged 9.6 points per game last season, and has averaged 10 points per game in four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.

The Rockets will have an alternate red uniform this season that resembles their color scheme of the 1980s and 90s.

The alternate uniform is red with gold trim. The red color is not quite the same as their other jerseys and the fabric has a different look and feel.

"That looks like an old school uniform, but I like it," Yao said. "The color and the style and also the material, it feels very good.

"Sorry I can't wear it this year, but I can't wait for next season."

The Nuggets traded for swingman James White on Tuesday, sending the rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 draft pick, to the Rockets.

White has averaged 5.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10 career games with the Spurs and Rockets.  He posted 25.9 points per game in the D-League last season before being called up by the Rockets.

Hervelle has yet to appear in an NBA game, playing in Spain last season.