Boban Marjanovic edges Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for Houston’s final roster spot

Veteran center Boban Marjanovic beat out Jeremiah Robinson-Earl for Houston’s final roster spot entering the 2023-24 regular season.

As part of the process for trimming expanded offseason rosters to the maximum of 15 standard contracts for the NBA’s regular season, the Houston Rockets were inevitably going to let go of a center.

With Alperen Sengun entrenched as a starter and Jock Landale and Jeff Green among reserve options, there are only so many roster spots that will be used for players who can only play one position.

As it turned out, veteran big man Boban Marjanovic gained the final spot on the depth chart instead of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, a third-year prospect who was recently acquired from Oklahoma City as part of the larger trade involving Kevin Porter Jr. and Victor Oladipo.

Marjanovic, 35, is significantly older than the 22-year-old Robinson-Earl. And with the Rockets still far from contention mode, some fans had wondered if Houston might err on the side of youth.

But the Rockets value Marjanovic’s veteran presence and positive influence, as evidenced by their choice to re-sign him as a free agent this offseason. On the other hand, Robinson-Earl was likely a throw-in for financial reasons by the Thunder, who were inevitably going to have to release him, anyway, due to the regular-season roster crunch.

With Marjanovic’s spot secure, Houston appears to have finalized its roster entering Wednesday night’s season opener in Orlando. Tipoff between the Rockets and Magic is 6 p.m. Central.

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Houston Rockets finalize roster for NBA’s 2023-24 regular season

With Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Darius Days, and Trevor Hudgins among the final cuts, here’s our look at the official #Rockets roster for the NBA’s 2023-24 season.

As with all NBA teams, the Houston Rockets had to trim their roster by Monday’s deadline for the 2023-24 regular season. Teams can carry up to 21 players during the offseason, training camp and preseason, but that number falls to a maximum of 15 standard contracts and three two-way deals once the season begins.

The Rockets (training camp roster) began that process last week by waiving young prospects Matthew Mayer and Nate Hinton. Those players could soon be candidates for roles with Houston’s NBA G League affiliate club, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.

On Monday, Houston made a series of other moves:

Hinton and Samuels were part of Houston’s extremely successful team (5-1, runner-up finish) in the NBA’s 2023 summer league.

It’s important to remember that because the Rockets finished with the league’s second-worst record (22-60) last season, Houston is very high on the waiver claim order prior to the 2023-24 season. Thus, general manager Rafael Stone will have high priority if the Rockets like someone who was released as part of another team’s cuts. That could potentially prompt another move later in the week.

For now, here’s where Houston’s roster stands to start the 2023-24 regular season, which opens on Oct. 25 in Orlando. Career statistics and biography information are available at rockets.com.

The 2023-24 Rockets are led by new head coach Ime Udoka.

Rockets trade Kevin Porter Jr., second-round picks to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Kevin Porter Jr. is off the #Rockets after being traded to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Here’s our look at what the deal means.

In news first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Houston Rockets on Tuesday agreed to trade Kevin Porter Jr. and two second-round draft picks to Oklahoma City for veteran guard Victor Oladipo and young big man Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

Porter, who was recently arrested in New York for an alleged assault and strangulation against his girlfriend, will be immediately waived by the Thunder and appears unlikely to play in the NBA for the foreseeable future. For Oklahoma City, the trade’s incentive was solely the future second-round draft capital, which consists of a 2027 pick from Minnesota and a 2028 selection from Milwaukee.

For the Rockets, the primary incentive was maintaining something close to Porter’s salary figure ($15.9 million) to make matching math work in future trades. Oladipo will make $9.5 million this season.

Had the Rockets kept Porter on the roster beyond the 2023-24 preseason, he would have had $2 million more in guaranteed money owed for the 2024-25 season. Thus, the end of this preseason served as something of a deadline to general manager Rafael Stone, since other teams around the league would see Porter as even more of a negative asset if he had more guaranteed money attached to the acquisition.

Oladipo, who briefly played for the Rockets in early 2021, averaged 10.7 points (39.7% FG, 33.0% on 3-pointers), 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 26.3 minutes with Miami last season. Known best for his defense, Oladipo is 31 years old. He’s unavailable to play after tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee during the 2023 playoffs, though he is expected to return later this season.

Robinson-Earl was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft. A 6-foot-9 forward, he averaged 6.8 points (44.4% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers) and 4.2 rebounds in 18.9 minutes last season.

Here’s a look at real-time reaction to the deal.

Report: Thunder acquire Kevin Porter Jr., two second-round picks; will waive him

The Thunder have acquired Kevin Porter Jr. – who they will waive – and two future second-round picks from the Rockets.

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kevin Porter Jr. and two second-round picks, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Thunder plan to immediately waive Porter Jr., who was not with the Rockets throughout training camp and preseason in the wake of his being charged with second-degree strangulation and third-degree assault.

In September, Porter Jr. was arrested for allegedly assaulting and strangling his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. He recently rejected a plea deal related to the arrest.

A second-degree assault charge was dropped on Monday by prosecutors due to insufficient evidence. According to reports, Gondrezick has a congenital defect that was mistaken for a cracked neck vertebra.

Porter Jr. signed a four-year extension worth up to $82.5 million last year but the deal was only partially guaranteed due to previous off-court issues.

The Thunder will pay Porter Jr. the remaining $16.9 million guaranteed money left on his current deal. The two second-round picks they acquired are a 2027 second-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 2028 second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks.

This move marks the end of Robinson-Earl’s and Oladipo’s tenures with the Thunder. The former is owed $1.9 million this season with a $2 million team option for next season. The latter is on an expiring $9.5 million contract. He continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in April.

With Robinson-Earl and Oladipo on the move, the Thunder’s regular-season roster gets clearer. This trade and subsequent release of Porter Jr. puts OKC’s roster at 19 players — 16 standard players and three two-way players.

The Thunder need to make one more decision to get down to an 18-man regular-season roster by the Oct. 25 season opener against the Chicago Bulls.

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OKC Thunder 3 goals: What Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has to accomplish in 2023-24 season

Here are 3 goals Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has to achieve this upcoming season.

In this continuing series, Thunder Wire assigns three goals to each of the 21 players, per Spotrac, that make up the Oklahoma City Thunder roster.

The Thunder’s season kicks off on Oct. 25 against the Chicago Bulls. After a surprising 40-42 campaign that ended a win shy of the playoffs, OKC enters this year with playoff aspirations.

Let’s assign three goals for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who is entering his third season. Injuries have plagued him in his first two seasons thus far, playing only a little over half of his possible career games.

If Robinson-Earl survives roster cuts, then he’ll need to stay healthy during the regular season to show the Thunder why they should keep him around.

OKC Thunder guarantees Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s 2023-24 salary

The Thunder guaranteed Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s salary as he enters his third season.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder made a pair of roster moves late on the first day of free agency. The first was trading for Victor Oladipo and draft compensation from the Miami Heat. The second involved guaranteeing a 2023-24 salary.

The Thunder guaranteed forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s $1.9 million salary for the 2023-24 season at 11 p.m. CT on Friday, June 30. OKC had until then to release him without eating his salary.

The decision comes a day after the Thunder declined guard Lindy Waters III’s $1.9 million team option on June 29.

Although his salary is now guaranteed, that doesn’t necessarily mean his roster spot is safe. Robinson-Earl enters his third season fighting for a roster and rotation spot. In 43 games last season, he averaged 6.8 points on 44.4% shooting and 4.2 rebounds. He also shot 33.3% from 3 on 2.6 attempts.

The Thunder drafted Robinson-Earl in the second round (32nd) of the 2021 NBA draft.

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2022-23 Thunder player grades: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Handing out a final grade for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s 2022-23 season.

The 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder’s season ended with the play-in tournament loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which means it’s time for reflection.

Being one of the biggest overachievers in the league, the Thunder finished 40-42 after being predicted by many to have high lottery odds.

Now that the season is in the books, let’s go back and evaluate all 19 players who suited up for the Thunder this past season. Grades will be handed out to every player in terms of what their expectations were heading into the season and how they lived up to them.

The 12th player in this installment is Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, whose sophomore season was harpooned by an ankle sprain that cost him two months and hampered his play after his return.

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(Editor’s note: We are starting individual grades for all players from the 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder. To access other reviews as part of this ongoing series, click here.)

Player grades: AD scores 37 points as Thunder lose to LeBron-less Lakers, 116-111

Player grades for the Thunder’s 116-111 loss to the Lakers on Friday.

Jogging in transition after a steal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander navigated his way for a 14-foot left elbow pull-up jumper he swished.

Finally, after trailing for the entire game minus a brief 2-0 lead in the opening minute, the Oklahoma City Thunder were tied with the Los Angeles Lakers with 5:25 remaining.

Unfortunately for the Thunder, the Lakers steamrolled them, 14-9, in the final five minutes. The Lakers reached .500 for the first time this season as the Thunder lost, 116-111.

The Thunder dug themselves a hole early, trailing 41-25 following the first quarter. After trailing by as many as 17 points, the Thunder used the remainder of the game to play catch up.

“They got off to a really good start,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. “We were probably a step slow, but they were really hot and played in a rhythm.”

The Thunder used a 67-52 scoring advantage in the middle quarters to cut the Lakers’ lead to one point entering the fourth quarter. After that, it was a back-and-forth duel before the Lakers pulled away late.

“The fight out of the team, on the second night of a back-to-back, when we fall into a hole like that,” Daigneault said. “It took us a while to get the game back under control and we just kinda kept fighting and clawed back into it.”

OKC’s starting backcourt led the way in this close loss. Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey each scored 27 points, with the latter tallying 17 rebounds.

Without LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis carried the Lakers to a critical win that gives them the tiebreaker over the Thunder — something that could definitely come in handy with how tight the standings are.

Using his size against the small Thunder, Davis finished with 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting and 15 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 multiyear All-Star got off to a flaming start with 15 first-quarter points on 6-of-7 shooting.

The Lakers kept going back to Davis with a mixture of lobs and post touches despite facing multiple defenders. He scored 30 points on 15-of-18 shooting inside of the paint.

Like Kawhi Leonard last game, the Thunder couldn’t contain the opposition’s best player in an important game.

“AD made some tough shots. He got hot — early on especially,” Giddey said.

The Lakers’ starting backcourt also played a key role in their win. Dennis Schroder finished with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting and six assists — including 13 points in the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves finished with 11 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

Off the bench, Lonnie Walker IV scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 4-of-8 shooting from 3. Overall, the Lakers’ bench outscored the Thunder’s, 40-28.

After losing both games of this LA, the Thunder look to finish 2-2 on their four-game road trip as they travel to play the Portland Trail Blazers.

Let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.

OKC Blue: Andre Roberson plays second game in 99-95 loss to G League’s Cruise

A quick recap of the OKC Blue’s 99-95 loss to the Motor City Cruise on Saturday.

The OKC Blue played their second consecutive game against the G League’s Motor City Cruise and dropped both games with a 99-95 loss on Saturday.

The loss drops the Blue’s record to 7-12. This game also marked the second appearance of Andre Roberson since being signed by the Blue.

Let’s take a look at some of the more notable performances from the game:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 10 rebounds, three assists
  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, 2-of-3 shooting from 3, four rebounds
  • Olivier Sarr: 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting
  • Sacha Killeya-Jones: 10 points, eight rebounds
  • Andre Roberson: four points, two steals
  • Jared Rhoden: 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, 5-of-9 shooting from 3, eight rebounds
  • Keifer Sykes: 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting, nine assists, seven rebounds

Here are the full highlights from the Blue’s four-point loss:

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OKC Blue: Ousmane Dieng, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl impress in 117-113 loss to G League’s Cruise

Ousmane Dieng & Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had great individual performances in the OKC Blue’s loss.

The OKC Blue went on the road to take on the G League’s Motor City Cruise on Friday but fell short in a 117-113 loss.

The loss drops the Blue’s record to 7-11.

Despite the loss, this was an encouraging performance as Ousmane Dieng and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl each had great individual games. Let’s take a look at the best individual performances from this game:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 6-of-8 shooting from 3, four rebounds, three assists
  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 12 rebounds, three assists
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 25 points on 9-of-22 shooting, eight assists, three steals
  • Adam Mokoka: 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, six rebounds
  • David Nwaba: 35 points on 13-of-16 shooting, 14 rebounds, five assists
  • Keifer Sykes: 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting, six assists, five rebounds
  • Jared Rhoden: 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting, seven rebounds

Here are the full highlights from the Blue’s four-point loss:

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