"I'm going enjoy every second and every minute of my last year in the NBA," he said. "I hope my farewell tour will be a nice memorable one."

The 7-foot-2, 260-pound Mutombo ended up playing a pivotal role for Houston last season, when Yao Ming broke a bone in his right leg and missed 33 games. Mutombo started in his place and averaged five points, 10 rebounds and 1.45 blocks.

Mutombo was frustrated by playing only 40 total minutes in the Rockets' seven-game first-round loss to Utah. He pondered retirement, but reconsidered after a three-hour conversation with former Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon.

"When our chance slipped away, I was more hurt than anybody on the team," Mutombo said. "I felt like there was so much for me to prove again in this league. What do I have to come back (to)?

"Talking to him (Olajuwon) at dinner, it kind of lifted me up a little bit, because I was down," Mutombo said. "He said, 'Don't walk away from the game because you got hurt from the loss. You can stay around, even play one more year. Maybe next year can be a better one.' Something very positive came from him."

Mutombo has 3,230 career blocks and Olajuwon is the only player ahead of him on the career list. He ranks 18th in rebounds (12,127) and has finished the season among the top five rebounders nine times.

Just don't expect him to play a full game anymore.

"I'm too old to be going out there and playing 37 minutes again," he said. "I don't know what I've got left in my tanks."

Mutombo has averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in 1,148 career games with Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston. General manager Daryl Morey told Mutombo that, at this point in his career, his veteran presence was more important than his statistics.

"The Rockets are really fortunate to have him as we make our deeper playoff push this year," Morey said.

Also today, the Rockets signed second-round draft pick Carl Landry. The 6-foot-9, 248-pound power forward was chosen by Seattle with the 31st overall pick. Houston sent a future second-round selection and cash considerations to Seattle for Landry's draft rights.