Houston Sent a Former All-Star and Returned a Memphis Draft Pick
In December 2008, Houston traded Steve Francis, cash and a 2009 second-round choice back to the Memphis Grizzlies for a conditional 2011 second-round selection. Memphis's official announcement describes the 2009 selection as its own pick, which Houston had acquired through an earlier draft-night transaction. Francis had once been drafted by Vancouver but had never played for the Grizzlies franchise. By 2008 injuries had curtailed his career, so the central basketball asset in this package was the future draft selection rather than his famous name.
The Grizzlies Used the Pick on Sam Young
Memphis selected Pittsburgh forward Sam Young at No. 36 in the 2009 NBA draft. He played eighty regular-season games as a rookie and scored 595 points in 1,321 minutes. In 2010-11 Young appeared seventy-eight more times, started forty-six contests and contributed 572 points in 1,577 minutes. He added twenty-one Memphis games in the shortened 2011-12 season before leaving for Philadelphia. Those 179 regular-season appearances were real value from the reacquired second-rounder. His subsequent Sixers career should not be included in Memphis's return.
Francis Never Played, and Houston's Conditional Return Expired
The Grizzlies' January 2009 release announcement confirms that Francis was waived without making a Memphis appearance. The veteran's earlier Houston, Orlando and New York playing totals therefore offer no additional value to this deal. Houston's return also failed to generate an active asset. The protected 2011 second-round choice did not convey, as the franchise transaction register explicitly notes. It would be wrong to assign any 2011 draftee to the Rockets through this agreement. Houston had moved cash and a genuine eventual NBA player for a contingent right that expired.
A Long-Lived Second-Round Reserve Created the Difference
The Grizzlies did not acquire productive Steve Francis minutes, and the deal was not a veteran revival. Its success instead came from recovering a second-round position and using it on a forward who contributed over multiple seasons. Houston might have benefited from removing Francis's remaining roster obligation, but the specific compensation received never became a pick or player. The on-court contrast is stark: Young accumulated extensive Memphis minutes, while the Rockets recorded no NBA production from the incoming conditional second. That supports Memphis's favorable historical grade.
Final Verdict
Grizzlies Win. Memphis earns A- because the reacquired 2009 No. 36 selection became Sam Young, who played 179 Grizzlies games and started 46 in 2010-11. Steve Francis was waived without playing. Houston gets D because the conditional 2011 second-round pick never conveyed despite sending cash and the productive future draft asset.