(Editor’s note: We are reviewing all players from the Houston Rockets who finished the 2020-21 season on regular contracts, i.e. not hardship. To access other reviews in this ongoing series, click here.)
Rockets Player: Jae’Sean Tate, 6-foot-5 forward, 25 years old
2020-21 statistics in Houston: 11.3 points (50.6% FG, 30.8% on 3-pointers), 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists in 29.2 minutes per game
Professional Experience: One NBA season
Contract Status: Signed for next two seasons at $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively
After going undrafted in 2018, Tate played two professional seasons overseas in Belgium and Australia before signing with the Rockets in the 2020 offseason. The lefty quickly exceeded expectations to become one of Houston’s most durable and valuable players, particularly on defense, and is expected to finish on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team.