WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Carmelo Anthony signed a one-year, 2.4-million-US-dollar deal with the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Anthony was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks last month before the Hawks released him.

The Rockets hope the addition of Anthony will boost their chances of contending for their first title since 1995. They lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-3 in the Western Conference finals last season.

The 34-year-old Anthony averaged a career-low 16.2 points in 78 games last season with the Thunder. The third overall pick in the 2003 draft has averaged 24.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists in a 15-year career that also included stints with the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks.

Anthony is a 10-time All-Star and has won three gold medals in the Olympics. He is USA Basketball's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

Anthony has averaged more than 20 points every year of his career except last season. Enditem