Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has emphasized that the team isn’t done adding players to its roster, according to Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle.
Morey, who has served as the Rockets’ GM since 2007, said he has held discussions with multiple representatives, though he didn’t mention any specific player by name.
“We’re having multiple conversations,” Morey said, as relayed by Atkins. “We have a couple players at the top of the list. Until they clear waivers, it’s not something — we can’t really talk to them.”
For the Rockets, several veteran players cleared waivers this past week, including the likes of Markieff Morris, Marcin Gortat, Enes Kanter and Omri Casspi. Houston also had interest in Wesley Matthews before he agreed to sign with Indiana a few days ago, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link).
The Rockets acquired defensive-minded Iman Shumpert at the NBA’s trading deadline, but still have an open roster spot to work with for the buyout market. The team holds the fifth best record in the West at 32-23 and could also work out a new contract with Danuel House, who remains in the G League.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division today:
- Pelicans star Anthony Davis played in the second half of a back-to-back set with the team on Saturday, recording 14 points and 16 rebounds in nearly 34 minutes of action. Davis and the team agreed that his minutes would be reduced as he returns from injury, along with the fact that both sides will consult on which ends of back-to-backs Davis will play the rest of the season, according to ESPN.com. Davis formally requested a trade from the Pelicans through agent Rich Paul last month, but the team still held onto him past the Feb. 7 trading deadline.
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle showed new acquisition Kristaps Porzingis how the team plans to utilize him in a one-on-one meeting Friday, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “It’s important to have a vision of the direction that you’re going to be going when you’re in a rehab situation like him, so you can get your mind focused on the kind of movements that are going to be required,” Carlisle said. “It was a very good meeting. I asked him for some feedback and we had good discussions.” Porzingis has made positive signs in his rehab from a torn ACL, but he isn’t expected to play for the Mavericks until next season.
- Grizzlies owner Robert Pera released a statement on Marc Gasol after the franchise traded him to Toronto last week: “Marc has been a dedicated teammate, star player and pillar of this team for the past 11 seasons,” the statement read. “He plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for this organization is about more than just basketball. He was a part of a core group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis. On behalf of the Grizzlies organization, I would like to thank him for his blood, sweat and dedication to the Grizzlies and Memphis. The impact he has had on this team and the city will live on, and we look forward to one day welcoming him back home to Memphis where his #33 jersey will hang in the rafters of FedExForum next to Zach and Tony.”
Kanter would do well in Houston’s up tempo offense and he grabs a lot of boards leading to second chances for their shooters.
KP has a real HC now, for the first time in his career. Two weeks, and he likely has a better sense of his role with the Mavs than he ever had with the Knicks. RC didn’t even feel the need to talk about himself (and his “great” relationship with KP) after the meeting.
Meanwhile, DSJ is likely happier with Fizdale, so he can “just play” and not worry about being held accountable.