[3][4][5][6] In December, the Rockets acquired James Posey from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade, which sent Kenny Thomas to the Philadelphia 76ers.
[7][8] The Rockets got off to a 9–6 start, and played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, holding a 26–22 record at the All-Star break.
[9] With Yao teamed up with captain Steve Francis, they gelled their first season together, being named as starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.
[10] On January 17, 2003, Francis gained national media attention, scoring a career-high 44 points in a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Also following the season, Posey signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies,[21][22] while Griffin was released to free agency, and Rice was traded to the Utah Jazz,[23] but was released and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.