Rockets agree to terms with F Luis Scola

HOUSTON — Free agent Luis Scola will return to the Houston Rockets after agreeing to terms on a new contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official and the team had not announced it.

Scola's agent, George Bass, did not immediately return a phone message. The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV reported that Scola, a restricted free agent, agreed to a five-year deal worth $47 million.

Re-signing the 6-foot-9 Scola was Houston's top priority after the team matched Cleveland's offer sheet to retain point guard Kyle Lowry on Wednesday. Scola started all 82 games for the Rockets last season and averaged 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said after last season that owner Leslie Alexander would match any offers to keep Lowry and Scola.

The Rockets have been quiet on the free-agent front since Morey met with Chris Bosh moments after free agency began on July 1. Bosh joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami, while Morey turned his focus to new deals for Lowry and Scola.

The Rockets are expecting All-Star center Yao Ming to return healthy from foot surgery this season. Morey has said that Houston's biggest free-agent move came in February, when the team dealt Tracy McGrady's massive contract to New York and signed shooting guard Kevin Martin. Houston also picked up promising forward Jordan Hill in the deal.

Scola has been one of Houston's most consistent players since the Rockets acquired his draft rights from San Antonio before the 2007-08 season. He's started every game over the past two years and averaged 13.1 points and 7.9 rebounds in three seasons with Houston.