HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Rockets have reached a multiyear deal

with free agent Trevor Ariza, a person familiar with the

negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because NBA

rules prohibit announcing free-agent deals until next week, said

the Rockets offered Ariza the full mid-level exception for the

first year, about $5.6 million.

Ariza is coming to Houston just as Ron Artest decided to leave

and play for the Los Angeles Lakers. Ariza is likely to take

Artest's spot in the Rockets' starting lineup.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8

assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA

championship.

The 24-year-old Ariza earned $3.1 million last season and he

boosted his value during the playoffs, when he averaged 11.3

points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Ariza was acquired by the Lakers in a trade from Orlando in

November 2007. He just completed his fifth NBA season after being

drafted by the New York Knicks with the 43rd overall pick in 2004.

Ariza said after the Lakers' championship run that he was hoping

to stay there. But his agent, David Lee, told KRIV-TV in Houston

that Ariza got the impression that the Lakers didn't want him

anymore.

"It was never about the money," Lee said. "It was about being

at a place where he felt wanted and appreciated."

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not immediately return a

phone message on Thursday night.

He flew to Las Vegas on Thursday to meet with Ariza, a sign that

he was already expecting Artest to leave.

The Rockets will need Ariza's versatility and perimeter shooting

early next season, because they know they'll be missing Tracy

McGrady for the bulk of next season. The seven-time All-Star is

recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee and could be

out until February.

The Rockets are also awaiting a definitive prognosis on Yao, who

sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot in the playoffs.

Morey made an aggressive pitch to free agent center Marcin Gortat

shortly after the free agency period began on Wednesday.

By CHRIS DUNCAN-AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)