Tsakalidis, a 7-2, 260-pound center, played in 23 games this season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game.

A first-round pick of the Phoenix Suns in the 2000 Draft, Tsakilidis averaged five points and 4.2 rebounds last season, his best of his four seasons with the Grizzlies.

Padgett, signed as a free agent this summer, has played in 24 games this season, averaging 1.8 points, in 8.3 minutes per game. Only rookie forward Steve Novak has played less.

Because the salaries do not match, the teams likely had to exchange trade exceptions. Rockets officials would not comment until the deal was made official later today.