Daryl Morey confirms Houston’s interest in Luc Mbah a Moute

“Obviously Luc was a huge part of our team in the past,” Morey said. “I think there is a good chance that’s a direction we’ll go in.”

Houston GM Daryl Morey confirmed Monday that the Rockets have interest in signing veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute.

Mbah a Moute would fill the spot of Thabo Sefolosha, who notified the team last Wednesday that he would not participate in the NBA’s restart.

Within hours of that notification, which freed up a roster spot, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reported that the Rockets were planning to sign Mbah a Moute. On Monday, in a Zoom chat with members of the media, Morey effectively confirmed the team’s intentions. He said:

Trying to think what the rules allow me to say. Obviously Luc was a huge part of our team in the past. He’s someone we’re interested in signing. … I think there is a good chance that’s a direction we’ll go in.

While the signing was not yet official as of those comments, that had more to do with the NBA’s protocols, as opposed to either side having second thoughts. The league’s late June transaction window closed last Tuesday, while Sefolosha’s roster spot was not opened until the next day.

The Rockets and other NBA teams will have another opportunity in July to sign substitute players for anyone who opts out, but the league has not formalized the precise window. Until then, the Rockets and Mbah a Moute are operating under a verbal agreement.

Mbah a Moute has not played for an NBA team this season, so he is eligible for Houston’s playoff roster.

Best known for his defense, the versatile 6-foot-8 forward played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 7.5 points, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 as a team that year, which was by far the best mark in franchise history.

Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players.

But Mbah a Moute dislocated his right shoulder twice during that season, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game. That injury limited his availability and effectiveness in the playoffs.

Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.

Thus, between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But if healthy, Mbah a Moute seems to be an ideal fit for the new frontcourt emphasis of the Rockets (40-24), who are prioritizing versatile defenders such as P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington ahead of traditional centers.

Mbah a Moute’s position versatility also lines up well with Sefolosha, making him a logical replacement as Houston fills out its bench. In fact, just before signing Sefolosha last September, reports indicated that the Rockets also had interest in Mbah a Moute for the same role.

Sefolosha wasn’t expected to be in the rotation once Houston’s 2019-20 season resumes on July 31, and the same will likely be the case for Mbah a Moute. But that prior stint means that head coach Mike D’Antoni knows him well — and if issues arise with injuries or health in Florida, having a trusted veteran at the end of the bench could become very important.

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