Tag: Daishen Nix

Full Houston Rockets 17-player payroll for 2022-23 NBA season

Now that Houston’s roster is set for the 2022-23 regular season, here’s an updated look at what each #Rockets player will make financially this season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the youngest teams in the NBA. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, clear signs of optimism are emerging.

The optimism starts with second-year guard Jalen Green, who looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season. In case you forgot, that’s when he finished with an historic scoring burst that led to a spot on the league’s All-Rookie first team.

There’s also Jabari Smith Jr., selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. For Smith, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future franchise cornerstone alongside Green.

Combine that duo with promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see the reasons for optimism. That youth is also why the Rockets are a relatively inexpensive team, particularly if excluding dead money in the form of former players (i.e. John Wall).

With that in mind, here is the full Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version reflects all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

This list is sorted in ascending order from least to most, financially, during the 2022-23 season, according to HoopsHype salary data. Any potential future earnings for each Rockets player as part of his current contract are noted beneath each photo.

2022-2023 Houston Rockets roster

With Derrick Favors waived and Darius Days added to a two-way deal, here’s a look at the official Houston Rockets roster entering the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, there are clear signs of optimism beginning to emerge.

It starts with second-year guard Jalen Green and rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who each excelled in the recently completed preseason while helping lead the Rockets to a 3-1 record as a team.

For Green, he looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season, which finished with a historic scoring burst that led to his spot on the league’s All-Rookie First Team.

For Smith, selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future cornerstone.

Combine that duo with other promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin, and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see some of the reasons for optimism.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the full Rockets roster entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version includes all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

2022-23 Houston Rockets statistics, player grades for preseason play

The Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green (22.0 points, 43.3% on 3-pointers, 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes) were a big reason why.

The young Houston Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play leading up to the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green were a big reason why.

Green averaged 22.0 points (43.3% on 3-pointers) and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes, and his performance has clearly played a large role in the rebuilding Rockets overachieving expectations to this point.

Granted, the competition will get much steeper once the regular season begins on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Atlanta. Opponents will be playing their rotation regulars much more frequently, and there is likely to be a greater attention to detail across the board.

Nonetheless, for a young group like the Rockets that finished with the NBA’s worst record in 2021-22, any success is potentially something to build on. That’s especially the case if it starts with Green, the No. 2 overall pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft and a clear building block for the future of the organization.

Scroll on for statistics and grades for all Rockets players averaging at least 10 minutes per game in exhibition play. Grades are relative to realistic expectations for each player prior to the preseason, meaning that the bar for a starter is higher than for a deep reserve.

Takeaways: Jalen Green scores 33 as Rockets blast Pacers in preseason finale

Jalen Green dropped 33 points in 29 minutes on efficient shooting as the Rockets (3-1) won at Indiana (2-2) in the preseason finale. Here’s our look at key takeaways and postgame reaction.

In the final preseason game for both teams, second-year Jalen Green dropped 33 points in 29 minutes on efficient shooting as the Houston Rockets won at Indiana, 122-114 (box score). Green connected on 10-of-15 shots in Friday’s game (66.7%), including 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%). He also made all nine of his free throws.

Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. added 22 points and 7 rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) for Houston (3-1), including 5-of-6 on 3-pointers (83.3%). Veteran guard Eric Gordon, who missed the previous two games for rest purposes, added 14 points in just 17 minutes on 4-of-8 shooting (50.0%) and 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).

Second-year center Alperen Sengun recovered from a sluggish game Monday to record 12 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots in 22 minutes, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range.

Veteran guard Buddy Hield led the Pacers (2-2) with 19 points in 20 minutes on 6-of-9 shooting and 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%).

Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Jae’Sean Tate (right ankle soreness), Garrison Mathews (illness), and Daishen Nix (lower back soreness) did not play for Houston, though all of those issues are considered minor and none are expected to miss time in the 2022-23 regular season, according to Friday’s update by head coach Stephen Silas.

Scroll on for postgame interviews, clips, and analysis. The Rockets will open regular-season play next Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Atlanta.

Takeaways: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green flourish, but Alperen Sengun struggles in loss to Miami

Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green played well, but the Rockets struggled to overcome a bad night by Alperen Sengun in Monday’s loss at Miami. Here’s our look at the key takeaways.

Houston’s starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. (21 points, 6 assists) and Jalen Green (25 points, 5 assists) played well Monday, but starting center Alperen Sengun struggled in his preseason return as the Miami Heat defeated the visiting Rockets, 118-110 (box score).

Sengun, who missed Friday’s win due to a dental procedure, had just 2 points and 4 rebounds on 1-of-5 shooting (20.0%) while fouling five times in only 17 minutes. His struggles helped Miami erase an early 16-point lead by the Rockets, who came out firing behind Porter and Green. The backcourt mates combined to hit 14-of-31 shots (45.2%) in 28 minutes apiece, including 8-of-17 on 3-pointers (47.1%).

Rookie forward Tari Eason continued to play well off Houston’s bench, registering 17 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes while making 8-of-11 shots (72.7%) from the field. Third-year forward KJ Martin continued to shine in the absence of several rotation regulars with 13 points and 4 assists in 28 minutes, all while shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%) and 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Eric Gordon (rest), Daishen Nix (lower back soreness) and head coach Stephen Silas (health and safety protocols) were not part of Monday’s action for the Rockets, while Jae’Sean Tate left early with right ankle soreness.

With Silas missing a second straight exhibition, lead assistant John Lucas again filled in as Houston’s acting head coach.

On the other side, Caleb Martin (right knee tendinitis), Tyler Herro (right knee contusion), and Omer Yurtseven (left ankle soreness) were out injured for the Heat. Miami also chose to hold out veterans Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry for rest purposes.

Among those playing, veteran wing Max Strus led Miami with 24 points in 24 minutes, including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Rookie Nikola Jovic was impressive off the bench with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, including several minutes in a direct matchup with Sengun. Miami was +24 in Jovic’s 23 minutes, best of any player.

Scroll on for postgame interviews, clips, and analysis. The Rockets (2-1) will conclude their preseason schedule on Friday at Indiana, while Miami (3-1) wraps up by hosting New Orleans on Wednesday.

PHOTOS: Rockets pose for portraits at 2022-23 media day

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Kevin Porter Jr. are among many #Rockets who took part in official media day photo shoots at the opening of training camp.

The first game, albeit an exhibition, of the 2022-23 Houston Rockets season took place Sunday, Oct. 2 versus San Antonio.

But for potential rising stars like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and beyond, activities actually got started a few days before that. It all began with the Sept. 26 media day at Toyota Center, where the main event consisted of players throughout the roster responding to questions about the new season.

Media day, however, also consists of various other photography and video shoots. Some are taken by internal team sources and are used by the team in promotions throughout the season, while others are from professional photographers who can license them for use across all sorts of potential media content related to the Rockets.

From 2022-23 media day, here’s a look at images of various Rockets players captured by professional photographers from USA TODAY Sports, Getty Images, and the Associated Press.

Rockets issue updated height, weight measurements for 2022-23 roster

In updated #Rockets measurements, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have put on weight, while Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jabari Smith Jr. are taller than their past figures.

In updated measurements ahead of Houston Rockets training camp, which opens Tuesday, Jalen Green has put on weight. Meanwhile, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. are among several players listed as taller than their previous measurements.

Green, a second-year guard, is listed at 183 pounds for the 2022-23 season, up from 178 in 2021-22. That meshes with his statements about adding bulk and strength during the 2022 offseason. Sengun, now Houston’s starting center, is listed at 255 pounds — up by 20 from his rookie listing of 235 pounds.

Sengun is also listed as being 6-foot-11, which is two inches taller than his 6-foot-9 height as a rookie. Since he only recently turned 20 years old, a growth spurt is at least conceivable. The same could be said of the 19-year-old Smith, who is listed at 6-foot-11 after being measured at 6-foot-10 prior to the 2022 NBA draft in June.

Porter, now 22 years old, also grew two inches in the past year — from 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-6, according to the Rockets.

Here are a handful of other changes relative to prior measurements, which were last issued prior to Monday’s media day:

  • Jae’Sean Tate is 6-foot-5, up from 6-foot-4
  • Eric Gordon is 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, up from 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
  • Usman Garuba is 253 pounds, up from 220 pounds
  • Garrison Mathews is 202 pounds, down from 215 pounds
  • Bruno Fernando is 6-foot-10, 246 pounds, up from 6-foot-9, 240 pounds
  • Daishen Nix is 239 pounds, up from 224 pounds

With Monday’s media day in the books, training camp begins Tuesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Stick with Rockets Wire for complete coverage, as our Brian Barefield will be live on the scene.

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Player grades, statistics: How Rockets fared at 2022 NBA summer league

With rookies Tari Eason (A) and Jabari Smith Jr. (B+) leading the way, here’s our look back at what we learned about the Rockets during 2022 NBA summer league action.

With the NBA’s 2022 summer league officially in the books, we’re taking a look back at the performances of the young Houston Rockets.

The Rockets went 2-3 in Las Vegas, though it should be noted that they were 2-1 with a complete roster. They finished 0-2 after shutting down leading scorer Josh Christopher (right hip soreness) midway through.

Shooting struggles were a recurring issue. Of Houston’s nine rotation players, only two — Tari Eason and Daishen Nix — shot over 40% from the field. Nix was the only player to break 35% on 3-pointers.

Yet, the Rockets were still competitive throughout summer league play thanks in large part to their defense, which was spearheaded by the rookie duo of Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. in the frontcourt. Houston had hoped going in to also have second-year forward Usman Garuba as a defensive anchor, but he was unable to play due to injury.

Scroll on for 2022 summer league statistics, player grades, highlights, and key takeaways involving Houston’s nine consistent rotation players in Las Vegas: Christopher, Eason, Nix, Smith, TyTy Washington, Anthony Lamb, Trevor Hudgins, Trhae Mitchell, and Aric Holman. Grades are relative to realistic expectations for each player going in.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. earns first double-double in loss to Portland

Jabari Smith Jr. (19/10) had his best statistical game yet, but the Rockets struggled from 3-point range in Thursday’s summer league loss to Portland, making just 7-of-38 (18.4%).

Prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr. continued his run of strong summer league play with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Houston Rockets, but it wasn’t enough to offset a cold shooting night for the team in Thursday’s 80-72 (box score) loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Las Vegas.

The Rockets were short-handed on offense after shutting down leading scorer Josh Christopher (right hip soreness), and it showed with just 47 points over the final three quarters of Thursday’s game, combined. Houston made just 7-of-38 shots from behind the 3-point arc (18.4%).

Smith connected on 7-of-13 shots overall (53.8%), though he was 7-of-8 on two-point shots (87.5%) and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers. Fellow rookie Tari Eason had 17 points and 7 rebounds, though he shot just 7-of-19 (36.8%). With Christopher out, the new starting backcourt of Daishen Nix and TyTy Washington combined to shoot just 6-of-19 (31.6%).

In defeating Houston (2-2), the Trail Blazers (3-1) were led by 23 points from second-year guard Keon Johnson, who shot 8-of-13 from the field (61.5%) and made 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%).

We’ll have more coverage in the days ahead as the Rockets gear up for a final summer league game on Saturday night (schedule) versus the Sacramento Kings. For now, here’s a look at Thursday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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Rockets shutting down Josh Christopher for rest of summer league

Josh Christopher, who currently leads the Rockets in scoring at the NBA’s 2022 summer league in Las Vegas, will miss Houston’s last two games due to right hip soreness.

Second-year guard Josh Christopher, who currently leads the Rockets in scoring at the 2022 NBA summer league in Las Vegas, will miss Houston’s last two games due to right hip soreness.

“I just aggravated it,” Christopher said, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. “I’ve been grinding a lot since the end of the year to this point and I think my body’s just starting to wear a little bit. Just making the team decision. Nothing major at all, but it’s being precautious.”

Rick Higgins, Houston’s summer league head coach, said at Wednesday’s practice that the coaching staff was already considering shutting Christopher down as a precautionary measure, Lerner reports. Many teams around the league often end the summer league stints of their established players early, as a means of injury prevention.

In three summer games, Christopher had averaged 19.7 points (39.6% FG), 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. With Christopher out, fellow second-year guard Daishen Nix and rookie TyTy Washington are likely to see increased backcourt usage, starting with Thursday’s game versus Portland (schedule).

The Rockets are 2-1 in summer league play, with two straight wins.

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