HoopsHype.com Rumors

According to another individual involved in the talks at the time, the Hornets amended their trade demands from the Rockets at the NBA's direction to say Kyle Lowry would have to replace Dragic in the deal along with Patrick Patterson or Chase Budinger and an additional pick. "Until the trade was complete with the Clippers, they (the Rockets, Hornets and Lakers) were in constant negotiations," the individual with knowledge of the talks said. "(Alexander) doesn't believe the league negotiated in good faith. "They were using them (the Rockets) to up the ante with the Clippers." Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Pau Gasol, Patrick Patterson, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, Chase Budinger 

With the NBA lockout showing no signs of resolution, the steady flow of players headed overseas is expected to turn into a torrent. The latest is Houston Rockets forward Chase Budinger, who announced Wednesday that he was signing with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia. SN Nation

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Russia, Chase Budinger 

The NBA lockout is entering its 144th day and, as has happened throughout the process, more players are considering overseas options. On Sunday, SN learned that another NBA regular is heading to Europe—Rockets shooting guard Chase Budinger. Over the course of the last few months, Budinger has entertained offers from teams in France and Russia, but is now close to a contract with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia. “Chase, obviously, wants to focus on the Rockets and fitting in with his teammates and the new coach, Kevin McHale,” said Kevin Bradbury, Budinger’s agent. “But everyone is aware of where things stand with the union and the league in negations so far. Working with the Rockets might take some time. So, a good contract in Europe is in his best interests.” Sporting News

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Russia, Chase Budinger 

Emiliano Carchia: Lokomotiv Kuban GM confirmed that Chase Budinger will soon sign a contract with the team who is also negotiating with another NBA player Twitter

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Russia, Chase Budinger 

Sean Deveney: Chase Budinger's agent tells me he is close to signing a deal with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia ... So much for the volleyball thing. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Russia, Chase Budinger 

Because both players are under contract, each will have outs to leave their teams should the lockout end, Bradbury said. "The deal is not done yet for Chase, but I think we're pretty close," Bradbury said. "It would be a wonderful opportunity for him to get to play competitive basketball while the NBA is locked out. We're going to be very aggressive to find our guys places to play during the lockout." Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Russia, Chase Budinger 

Chase Budinger: Tired of not playing ball! What do u think of a charity game in beautiful san diego? Twitter

Lockout, Chase Budinger 

Chase Budinger: All i want to do is play and compete! Twitter

CBA, Lockout, NBPA, Chase Budinger 

Chase Budinger: Watching my boy luis scola kill in the world champs final right now! Do work scola Twitter

Houston Rockets, FIBA, Luis Scola, Argentina, Chase Budinger 

Love will be helped by a relatively strong partner, Hans Stolfus, who is 6-5 and has played in several pro tournaments. There won't be as many top-notch pro players at this year's event because of a competing international tournament in the Netherlands. Sponsors are paying Love an undisclosed sum of money to play in the tournament, which starts Thursday and ends Sunday. Houston Rockets forward Chase Budinger also is expected to participate. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Chase Budinger 

Would that be fun for you? Chase Budinger: Yeah, I'd definitely be into it. It'd be a great experience to go overseas and try this new country and play a different sport. But I think my first choice would be to go overseas and play basketball, before I'd go overseas and play volleyball. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Chase Budinger 

Right, right. Have you looked into that seriously? Chase Budinger: Yes, my agent and I are considering that, yes. Anywhere in particular? Chase Budinger: Um, nowhere yet. He's got a couple teams, but nowhere specific. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Chase Budinger 

Kevin Love kind of threw his hat into the volleyball ring this summer. Is that what brought you out of volleyball retirement? Chase Budinger: No! Not at all. You know, I've been trying to talk to guys and actually play beach volleyball professionally. My brother [Duncan Budinger] has been playing professionally, he's on the tour, and he has been trying to get me out there. I was definitely planning on already playing. With him going out there I see more motivation to get out there as well. I'm happy that I was able to jump on this Corona Light tournament this upcoming weekend. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Love, Chase Budinger 

Who will you be playing with? I am playing with a guy named Dane Jensen. He's a local player down in San Diego. He's a very very good player, so I think we can do pretty well. We're going to be very competitive. We both can play. The main thing is just getting used to playing with each other, trying to get that feel for each other. All the other teams have been playing a couple tournaments, so this will be our first one now. That's the tough part, getting out there the first time with someone new. What's your best volleyball skill? Definitely hitting. For my size, I think I'm a good passer as well. ... What always helped me was I was always an all-around player. There wasn't ever a skill I was bad at. I could always pass, I could always set, I could always hit the ball, I could always block. That always made me very difficult to play against. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Chase Budinger 

Houston Rockets forwards Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill could play basketball overseas during the NBA lockout. Their agent, Kevin Bradbury of BDA Sports, told FOX 26 Sports teams in France and Russia are expressing interest in Budinger. "He wants to continue his development and he wants to continue playing basketball," Bradbury said. "It has to be the right situation for him to continue his development and it helps him continue his growth and in that contract to have an NBA-out, so when the lockout ends he's allowed to rejoin the Houston Rockets. "The more receptive countries have been France and Russia at this point. So we are exploring those opportunities." FOX 26 Sports

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill 

Bradbury said the talks have not developed into contract offers yet. "Just conversations," Bradbury said. "We have a pretty strong European division at BDA and we're just having different discussions with different teams in different countries to see specifically if there's any opportunity there. "At this time there's nothing that we are contemplating (as far as) an offer. It's more of a discussion." FOX 26 Sports

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill 

Hill may also pursue playing in Europe during the lockout. "We're aggresively pursuing opportunities for all of our guys," Bradbury said. "We're going to look at everything. "Our conversations are all preliminary." FOX 26 Sports

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Europe, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill 

It’s still a small, but growing, list of NBA players who are preparing to find employment overseas as the league’s lockout heads toward the one-month mark. Put Houston Rockets swing man Chase Budinger on that list. According to Budinger’s agent, Kevin Bradbury of BDA Sports, he has spoken with teams from Spain and Italy on behalf of Budinger, but the most serious discussions so far have come from teams in the Russian and French leagues. Bradbury declined to identify the teams, though. Sporting News

Houston Rockets, Lockout, Chase Budinger 

The Bucks could also have interest in Rockets forwards Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, yet another player they liked in the 2009 draft. If the Rockets were successful in landing the Bucks' pick, they may try to put together another trade package to move even further up in the draft. Racine Journal-Times

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Chase Budinger, Ersan Ilyasova, Jordan Hill 

As the Rockets prepared to go their separate ways, unsure when they will be back or who among them will return, there was one apparent certainty. The only constant has been change. More is likely. "With our management, you never know," said Chase Budinger, who after two seasons has the fourth-longest tenure among Rockets players. "You expect changes." Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Chase Budinger