Tag: Trevor Hudgins

Two-way changes: Rockets add Nate Williams, Nate Hinton; drop Trevor Hudgins, Darius Days

Nate Williams and Nate Hinton are replacing Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins as the recipients of Houston’s final two-way contract slots for the 2023-24 season.

Reserve guard Nate Williams had an encouraging preseason for the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.6 points (63.3% FG, 33.3% on 3-pointers) and 2.8 rebounds in just 10.2 minutes per game.

Thus, as the Rockets finalize their roster for the 2023-24 regular season, it should come as no surprise that Williams is part of it.

Williams and Nate Hinton, who played a key role on Houston’s successful 2023 summer-league team, are replacing Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days as Houston’s final two-way contract players.

Each NBA team can carry 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals, which allow the player to play in up to 50 of 82 regular-season games while going back and forth between the NBA and G League (Houston’s affiliate is the Rio Grande Valley Vipers).

Though Hudgins and Days are no longer in Houston’s immediate plans, they could become candidates for roles with the Vipers, assuming they are not claimed on waivers by another NBA team.

Jermaine Samuels Jr. — like Hinton, a young and versatile forward — continues to hold the third two-way spot with the Rockets.

Because the G League season has yet to begin, all three prospects are expected to be with Houston when its regular season opens on Wednesday, Oct. 25 in Orlando. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. Central.

[lawrence-related id=117259,117243]

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.

Updated 2023-2024 Houston Rockets roster, salaries after free agency

After an extremely busy 2023 free agency, here’s an updated look at the #Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

When we last saw the Houston Rockets play a regular-season game in April, they were one of the NBA’s youngest teams and directed by a relatively unproven head coach in Stephen Silas.

The situation has changed significantly in the months since. Ime Udoka replaced Silas as head coach and brought in his own staff of assistants, while general manager Rafael Stone spent more than $60 million in 2023 free agency to sign veteran players Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Jock Landale.

Those veterans will surround Houston’s young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and newly drafted 2023 rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

As of early August, here’s an updated look at where things stand with the Rockets’ coaching staff and roster of players entering the 2023-24 NBA season. Many of the team’s newcomers will not have their jersey numbers revealed until closer to training camp, which is scheduled to start in early October.

Height and weight information is from NBA.com, while salary details are from HoopsHype figures. Ages are as of Aug. 1, 2023.

Takeaways: MVP Cam Whitmore leads Rockets’ standouts at 2023 summer league

With 2023 summer league in the books, here’s our look back at key #Rockets takeaways, including Cam Whitmore’s MVP run and Jabari Smith Jr.’s complete domination.

In Monday’s championship, the Rockets and summer-league head coach Ben Sullivan fell one game short of accomplishing their goal of winning the NBA’s 2023 summer league. With a 99-78 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston finished with a 5-1 record. 

Yet, as general manager Rafael Stone and new head coach Ime Udoka watched courtside, they witnessed several positive developments over those two weeks in Las Vegas. Many may help the Rockets become more successful as they enter a self-proclaimed Phase 2 of their rebuilding process, starting with the 2023-24 season.

Rookie point guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) was ruled out of summer-league play after one game, and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were ruled out after the second. But all three made a big impression on Stone and Udoka during their limited playing time.

Meanwhile, those absences provided opportunities for other players on the summer roster —  most notably, rookie forward Cam Whitmore (summer-league MVP) and second-year guard Trevor Hudgins, who remains on a two-way contract with Houston. Both Whitmore and Hudgins made major contributions as the Rockets won three of their final four games, even without three big names.

With summer league officially in the books, here’s a look back at some key statistics and takeaways from six games in Las Vegas.

(Editor’s note: Ben DuBose also contributed to this article.)

Reaction: Cam Whitmore lifts Rockets past Jazz and into NBA’s 2023 summer-league title game

Cam Whitmore continued his electric run at the NBA’s 2023 summer league with 25 points on efficient shooting, and it led the #Rockets to Monday’s championship game.

After rookie Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were ruled out for the rest of the NBA’s 2023 summer league, many analysts assumed the remainder of the Houston Rockets wouldn’t be as formidable.

That logic may have underestimated Houston’s supporting cast, though. Led by rookie Cam Whitmore and two-way players Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins, the summer Rockets are now 5-0 and in Monday’s championship game courtesy of Sunday’s 115-101 win (box score) over Utah (4-1) in the summer-league semifinals.

Whitmore had 25 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in Sunday’s game on 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), including 4-of-11 on 3-pointers (36.4%). That was enough to outpace a Utah team led by Micah Potter, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds but on just 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%) and 4-of-17 on 3-pointers (23.5%).

Other Houston players to score in double figures included:

  • Nate Hinton: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals; 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)
  • Jermaine Samuels Jr.: 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists; 5-of-14 shooting (35.7%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20.0%)
  • Trevor Hudgins: 16 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%)
  • Fletcher Magee: 21 points, 5 rebounds; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75.0%), 10-of-10 on free throws

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Sunday’s game. In Monday’s final, the Rockets will meet the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are also a perfect 5-0 in summer-league play to date.

2023 summer-league playoffs, Rockets vs. Jazz: Lineups, how to watch, TV, stream

In Sunday’s semifinal, talented rookie Cam Whitmore has an opportunity to lead the #Rockets to Monday’s NBA summer-league championship game.

For the first time, the Rockets are in the NBA’s abbreviated postseason at its annual summer league in Las Vegas. Based on a 4-0 start, Houston is one of four teams advancing to the playoffs, which consist of Sunday’s semifinals and Monday’s championship.

To get to Monday’s title game, summer-league head coach Ben Sullivan (lead assistant to Ime Udoka, in the regular season) needs to guide his young squad past a Utah Jazz group that has found similar success in Las Vegas — as shown by a matching 4-0 record.

The Rockets will again be short-handed, with rookie guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) sidelined. But in their absence, rookie prospect Cam Whitmore and two-way players Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days have picked up the slack and then some.

Based on lineups a few days ago, it looked like this matchup could become a star-studded rookie showdown between Whitmore and Utah’s Keyonte George, who was drafted a few picks prior to Whitmore at No. 16 overall in the 2023 first round. George has also excelled in Las Vegas as part of a strong start to his young career.

However, like Thompson, George is dealing with an ankle sprain and is now out for the remainder of summer league. That could present a clear path for Houston to advance to the title game.

Takeaways: Cam Whitmore leads Rockets to NBA’s 2023 summer-league playoffs

Thursday was the best game yet for rookie Cam Whitmore (26 points, 8 steals), who helped the summer #Rockets (4-0) stay unbeaten while clinching one of the NBA’s four playoff berths.

Once rookie Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) were declared out for the rest of the NBA’s 2023 summer league, many analysts assumed the remainder of the Houston Rockets wouldn’t be as formidable.

That assumption, however, hasn’t translated to reality in Las Vegas. Led by the likes of rookie Cam Whitmore and two-way players Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins, the summer Rockets have maintained a high standard and improved to 4-0 with Thursday’s 118-101 win (box score) over the Golden State Warriors (0-4).

With that victory, Houston clinched one of only four spots in the 2023 summer-league playoffs, which will take place with Sunday’s semifinals and Monday’s championship game.

Whitmore was outstanding with 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting (57.9%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%), and he had a handful of emphatic transition dunks coming after his game-high 8 steals. Hudgins was strong again, as well, with 20 points and a game-high 11 assists, and he hit 5-of-13 from 3-point range (38.5%).

Other Houston players who scored in double-figures in Thursday’s win included Matthew Mayer (15 points, 6 rebounds, 3-of-7 on 3-pointers); Jermaine Samuels Jr. (18 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 7-of-12 shooting); Darius Days (16 points, 7 rebounds, 5-of-10 on 3-pointers); and Nate Hinton (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).

Kendric Davis led the summer Warriors with 18 points and 5 assists on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%), but that wasn’t nearly enough against a feisty Houston squad led by head coach Ben Sullivan.

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Thursday’s game. Houston returns to action Sunday afternoon in the summer-league playoffs, with a game time and opponent still to be determined.

Rockets vs. Warriors summer league, July 13: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel

Can Trevor Hudgins build on his momentum in Las Vegas? If the #Rockets beat Golden State on Thursday, they’re one of four teams headed to the NBA’s summer-league playoffs this weekend.

With a 3-0 record going in, the Houston Rockets know that if they improve to 4-0 on Thursday night, they will qualify for the NBA’s 2023 summer-league playoffs (format) in Las Vegas. Each team owning a top-four record after four games, with average point differential used to break any ties, advances to a four-team playoffs.

For Houston, the math is simple. Entering Thursday, the Rockets were one of only four summer teams still unbeaten. Thus, if they stay that way after facing Golden State, they play in Sunday’s semifinals. A win in that game would place them in Monday’s championship.

The good news is that on paper, the Rockets should have a decent chance of advancing. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski is one of the only widely recognizable names on the summer Warriors (0-3), who have yet to win a game in Las Vegas and will be on night two of a back-to-back. Houston hasn’t played since Tuesday afternoon.

Then again, the Rockets are short-handed, with rookie guard Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) out for a second straight game. Houston may need another strong game from two-way players Trevor Hudgins and Darius Days, as well as rookie Cam Whitmore, to advance.

Takeaways: Summer Rockets stay unbeaten as Trevor Hudgins steps up versus Thunder

Led by an efficient 26 points and 7 assists from Trevor Hudgins, Ben Sullivan’s summer #Rockets remain unbeaten (3-0) after routing Oklahoma City. Cam Whitmore had 16 points and 8 rebounds.

With rookie Amen Thompson (left ankle sprain) and second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (rest) sitting out the remainder of the NBA’s 2023 summer league, the expectation entering the final three games for the Houston Rockets was for rookie forward Cam Whitmore to receive a more featured role.

As it turned out, second-year guard Trevor Hudgins took on much of the playmaking burden. He came through in a big way in Tuesday’s 105-92 win (box score) over Oklahoma City. The Rockets (3-0) remain unbeaten and in contention for the 2023 summer-league playoffs (format) in Las Vegas.

Hudgins, who signed with Houston in the 2022 offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State, showed why he remains on a two-way NBA contract by scoring a game-high 26 points on efficient 10-of-20 shooting (50%), including five 3-pointers. He also ran the offense well; he finished with 7 assists to one turnover.

Whitmore had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, making 6-of-14 shots (42.9%) but just 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%). Rookie forward Matthew Mayer added 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for summer head coach Ben Sullivan (Ime Udoka’s top assistant) on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%) and 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%).

Rookie wing Keyontae Johnson led the Thunder (1-1) in Tuesday’s loss with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting (64.3%), while big man KJ Williams had 19 points (61.5% FG) and 13 rebounds.

Read on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and coaches, and reaction by fans and media members to Tuesday’s game. Houston returns to action Thursday versus Golden State, with tipoff at 6 p.m. Central and television coverage on ESPN.

NBA option deadline moves: Rockets keep KJ Martin, waive Daishen Nix

The #Rockets picked up KJ Martin’s $1.9-million option for the 2023-24 season, which maximizes salary cap room this offseason while keeping him trade eligible. Daishen Nix was waived.

With the NBA’s 2023 free agency period opening Friday, June 30, at 5 p.m. Central, that makes Thursday the last day for teams and players around the league to make decisions on player contracts that either have options for next season or a potential qualifying offer.

For Houston, the biggest decision involved fourth-year forward KJ Martin, who had a team option for 2023-24 at only $1.9 million. Picking up that option and keeping him on his existing deal carries the risk of allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024, but it maximizes Houston’s 2023 cap space due to that lower figure. Picking up the option also keeps him trade eligible this summer.

An athletic 22-year-old forward, Martin averaged 12.7 points (56.9% FG) and 5.5 rebounds in 28 minutes per game last season.

Had the Rockets declined that option, it would have made Martin a restricted free agent this summer while putting a larger “cap hold” on Houston’s offseason books, relative to his actual salary. That would slightly decrease Houston’s spending potential in 2023 free agency.

The upside to that scenario is that it might have boosted the odds of keeping Martin long-term, since — similar to Jae’Sean Tate one year ago — general manager Rafael Stone would be in a better long-term negotiating position if he could leverage paying Martin a year early and perhaps use that restricted status to scare away other suitors.

It’s also possible a longer-term deal might make Martin even more of a trade commodity though it would remove him from the trade market for six months due to signing a new contract.

Ultimately, the Rockets decided to pick up Martin’s option year, which keeps him on the books at a lower figure and maintains his eligibility to be traded this offseason. Read on for a look at all the details, along with other related option-deadline decisions made with players such as Daishen Nix, Darius Days, and Trevor Hudgins.