Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
The Rockets have signed first round pick Sam Dekker to a rookie scale deal, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports (Twitter link). Dekker was the No. 18 overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft. The addition of the forward will raise Houston’s current roster count to 11, all of which are fully guaranteed, though that number doesn’t include Marcus Thornton, whose deal has yet to be made official.
Dekker will earn more than $1.646MM this coming season in the first year of a four-year deal, presuming he receives the standard 120% of the rookie scale, which is most likely the case. The forward will likely take home $1,720,560 in 2016/17, $1,794,600 in 2017/18, and $2,760,095 in the contract’s final season.
In three seasons at Wisconsin, Dekker posted averages of 12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His career shooting line was .493/.348/.695.
Is there any reason to think he’ll earn playing time as a rookie, or will he spend most of the year in the D-League?
With the makeup of their roster now I could see him getting some burn as a scoring option off the bench especially if Ariza gets hurt or in small ball lineups at the 4.
Not sure if he’ll get any minutes unless there’s an injury or two. With Ariza, Brewer and the threat of Harden playing more time at the three, I don’t see him as talented enough at this point to see minutes.
Sam Dekker is a lot better than most understand! Both Dekker & Kaminsky will succeed in the NBA! Sam can play SF or the Stretch 4 for Houston off the bench or as a Starter. He dribbles like a Guard & is more Athletic than you think! He’s just now coming into his own, there’s still room for improvement. He’ll be 1 of the best Shooters in the NBA in a few years! Sky’s the limit for both Wisconsin kids who should have both been Lottery Picks. Houston was lucky to get him at #18!
Ok Mr. Dekker…but why are you yelling?