Rockets happy to get Lowry

The Houston Rockets have wanted Kyle Lowry since he came out of Villanova in 2006. They finally acquired him Thursday and gave away veteran point guard Rafer Alston to do it.

The Rockets traded Alston to Orlando and acquired Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from the Magic on Thursday, reshaping their roster for the stretch run after Tracy McGrady announced he was out for the season.

Alston led Houston with 5.3 assists this season, but general manager Daryl Morey bluntly said Lowry is a better player.

"Upgrading that position was a goal going into the deadline," Morey said. "We feel like we accomplished it. Kyle's going to be a guy this town really loves. He's a really tough competitor, up-tempo player, a winner."

Memphis also received center Adonal Foyle, guard Mike Wilks and the Magic's first-round draft pick in the deal. The Grizzlies drafted Lowry with the 24th overall pick in the 2006 draft.

Houston was eyeing Lowry then but took Rudy Gay with the eighth overall pick. Later on draft night, the Rockets traded Gay to Memphis for Shane Battier, but couldn't get Lowry.

"We felt like he's a player who would fit well here, could really contribute," Morey said. "He's going to do exactly what Coach (Rick) Adelman tells him to do. We feel like it's a young player who can help us now and who we can build around for the future."

The 6-foot Lowry averaged 7.6 points and 3.6 assists in 49 games for the Grizzlies this season.

• The Boston Celtics traded center Patrick O'Bryant to Toronto as part of a three-team deal that sent guard Will Solomon to Sacramento.

The Celtics said they will get a future conditional second-round draft pick from Sacramento in exchange for cash considerations.

The 7-foot O'Bryant played in 26 games for the Celtics, averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds.