Rockets general manager Daryl Morey spoke very highly about Carl Landry but said he was willing to give him to the Kings because "to get something you have to give up something."

"He's really one of the best low-post scorers in the game right now," Morey said by phone. "He can hit the mid-range shot, which sets (the post game) up, he's a good rebounder ? a great player and a great person, too."

"There are a lot of young guys on the team, and I'm sure they're hungry," said Landry, 26. "They want to be All-Star players one day. They want to take this team back to the playoffs and one day win a championship. So I'm fine with (the trade).

"I don't plan on stopping here and settling for 18 wins. I'm sure all the guys in this program look forward to changing this program back around."