This may be a non-factor, but I found it interesting. Steve Francis is going to sign with the Houston Rockets.

Years after Houston traded him for McGrady, they end up getting him back for close to nothing (probably--haven't seen the contract details, of course).

Does anybody think Francis has anything left in the tank? If he does, and they stay healthier this season, Houston is going to leapfrog a number of teams in the West, right into that top echelon that includes the other two Texan teams along with Phoenix. They've already acquired Euro-star Luis Scola, as well as getting Mike James for Howard. If Francis gets in shape, they'll suddenly be a lot more athletic in the front AND backcourt.

This doesn't really affect the Dubs too much, as Houston was already ahead of them on the conference depth chart.