Snyder, one of Utah's 2004 first-round draft choices, apparently made an impression with his preseason play. The Rockets even picked up the 2007-08 fourth-season option on the rookie contract of the University of Nevada-Reno product who lasted just one season in Utah before being dealt to New Orleans/Oklahoma City, which also traded him after one season.

Also in Houston, it appears 1999 Jazz first-round draft pick Scott Padgett has made the 15-man roster. The Rockets late last week waived forward Ryan Bowen and guard Casey Jacobsen, two players with significant NBA experience. That left room for Padgett, who went to Houston's training camp with a non-guaranteed contract.

Padgett, waived after last season by New Jersey, also played for Houston from 2003-05. Jacobsen, who had a non-guaranteed contract as well, tried to make the team while his wife reportedly was living in Park City with the couple's newborn baby

DECISION DAY: The Jazz are expected to announce today they'll pick up the 2007-08 third-year option on Williams' rookie contract.

Other decisions are expected include roster cuts and if they'll exercise their '07-08 fourth-year option on ex-BYU center Rafael Araujo's rookie contract.

VAN HORN NO-GO: According to Sunday's Boston Globe, "the Celtics made an inquiry as to the potential availability of Keith Van Horn but were told by Van Horn's agent, David Falk, that Van Horn was going to take a year off and spend it with his family."

The University of Utah product, an occasional target of Jazz interest, played for Dallas, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey after being drafted No. 2 overall in 1997.

He apparently hasn't ruled out returning in 2007.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com