Fri, Jul 14, 2006 at 12:00am

ROCKETS ACQUIRE SNYDER

The Houston Rockets acquired guard Kirk Snyder from the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets for cash and a conditional 2008 second-round draft pick.

What does it give the Houston Rockets
A highly athletic and intense young shooting guard. Still only 23 years old, Snyder has the talent to eventually be a starting 2-guard in the NBA. He did just that for half a season with the Hornets, and was only moved because Peja Stojakovic was signed by them. Snyder's biggest problem so far has been keeping a lid on his temper and competitive nature, a trait that got him into trouble several times as a rookie in 2004-05. He has the whole package offensively and should provide the Rockets some much needed size and depth in the backcourt.

What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
Some financial help and a future pick who won't likely be as good as Snyder. The Hornets splurged a little in adding both Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler this off-season, and they're not exactly one of the NBA's big spenders. That has led to some cost-cutting measures and Snyder is likely a part of that. They sharp-shooting Arvydas Macijauskas and dealt away another talented off-guard in J.R. Smith in the Chandler swap, so the Hornets will be hoping Desmond Mason and maybe rookie Marcus Vinicius can pick up the slack for their now-departed talented young shooters.

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