Rockets add Garrison Mathews on two-way contract, waive Anthony Lamb

The Rockets are adding a sharpshooter in Garrison Mathews, who connected on 38.9% of his 3-pointers during two seasons in Washington.

The Rockets are adding a sharpshooter in 6-foot-5 wing Garrison Mathews, who was claimed off waivers Monday and signed to a two-way contract. Under two-way terms, Mathews can shuttle back and forth between Houston and its G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Mathews is eligible to play in up to 50 games with the parent NBA club. Now 24 years old, Mathews went undrafted in 2019 before catching on with the Wizards. During two seasons in Washington, Mathews averaged 5.5 points in 16.2 minutes on 38.9% shooting from 3-point range.

As a corresponding roster move, the Rockets waived second-year forward Anthony Lamb, who was previously on a two-way deal. Mathews joins rookie guard Daishen Nix as the recipients of Houston’s two-way contract allotment entering the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season.

By dropping Lamb for Mathews, general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Stephen Silas are clearly putting an emphasis on superior long-range shooting and floor spacing for Houston’s young roster. By contrast, Lamb shot just 32.4% on 3-pointers last season.

With the Lamb-for-Mathews swap and the recent waiving of Dante Exum, Houston’s roster appears set entering the 2021-22 campaign. The regular season begins with Wednesday’s game at Minnesota.

[lawrence-related id=55774,55756]

[listicle id=55787]