The Rockets filled out their roster Monday and bolstered their frontcourt depth by reaching agreements to sign a pair of 33-year-old NBA forwards, first DeMarre Carroll and later Jeff Green.
Both veterans will be signed to the team’s two open roster spots, created after GM Daryl Morey‘s trade deadline moves. News of Green’s deal with Houston leaked only minutes after the agreement with Carroll broke.
Each player seems to fit with Houston’s trend toward smaller lineups, designed to bolster floor spacing and open up driving lanes for backcourt stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The 6-foot-8 Green and 6-foot-6 Carroll could each be options on the front line behind rotation regulars P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr., and Robert Covington.
Houston continues to go all-in on its commitment to smallball; both its open roster spots are going to combo forwards. https://t.co/N3vk09cl7v
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 17, 2020
These two fit into what the Rockets have been trying to do on both ends. https://t.co/uxOv482ubi
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 17, 2020
In effect, Morey and innovative head coach Mike D’Antoni are giving up the size and rim protection of a traditional center — such as Clint Capela — in exchange for more perimeter shooting and defensive versatility.
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Green played 30 games with Utah earlier this season, scoring 7.8 points (32.7% on 3-pointers) and grabbing 2.7 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game. He was waived on Dec. 24 and has been without a team since.
Free agent forward @unclejeffgreen on signing w/ #Rockets:”I’m excited with what they have,everything they have to offer.I’m looking forward to the opportunity. (Hopes to bring?) “What I can do on the floor,being versatile,the experience,being blessed to have played n the finals”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 18, 2020
Unlike Carroll, it appears that Green will initially sign a 10-day contract with the Rockets before committing to a deal for the rest of the season.
Jeff Green will initially sign a 10-day contract with the Rockets, giving him a chance to become comfortable with the fit before commiting to a deal for the rest of the season, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2020
Over his 12-year NBA career, Green has averaged 13.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 29.6 minutes per game.
Drafted No. 5 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, Green already has experience playing alongside both Westbrook and Harden during his time in Oklahoma City from 2008 until early 2011.
Free agent forward Jeff Green (@Unclejeffgreen) on signing with the #Rockets, being reunited with James Harden and Russell Westbrook: “Playing for something special, that’s what it’s all about. To do it with guys, we basically came in together, is going to be special.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 18, 2020
Both Green and Carroll should be available to play when Houston (34-20) returns to action Thursday night at Golden State (12-43). The game will tip off at 9:30 p.m. Central and be televised nationally on TNT.