Rockets convert Bruno Fernando to standard contract for up to four years

The Rockets are reportedly giving Bruno Fernando a standard NBA contract for up to four years, which will soon require a release elsewhere on the roster.

The Rockets are giving Bruno Fernando a standard NBA contract for up to four years in length, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, who spoke to Fernando’s agent, only the first season (2022-23) is guaranteed at $2.9 million, with the remainder of the deal consisting of team options.

The move will soon require someone else with a guaranteed contract to be released, since Houston is currently above the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts for the regular season.

“It’s the ultimate win-win for Bruno and the Rockets,” Fernando’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Berman. “It gives him stability. It gives him a runway to take his career to the next level, and some security, and it gives the Rockets the opportunity to be rewarded for investing in a young player.”

“It says a lot about the Rockets’ open-mindedness, and how creative they’re trying to be in finding young talent,” the agent added. “Rafael Stone (Houston’s general manager) promised he would give Bruno a chance to showcase what he can do, and Rafael lived up to everything he said, and Bruno took advantage of it.”

Fernando, selected at No. 34 overall in the 2019 NBA draft, averaged 6.9 points (70.7% FG) and 4.0 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game with the Rockets last season. He was acquired by Houston as part of the February trade that sent Daniel Theis to Boston and re-signed in the offseason to an Exhibit 10 contract, which effectively served as a 2022-23 training camp invitation. Based on today’s contract news, Fernando appears to be making the most of that opportunity.

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