While outside shooting was always part of Anthony Bennett‘s game, he has spent the past few seasons refining his three-point shot in preparation for his next NBA opportunity. That opportunity has come with the Western Conference contender Houston Rockets.
Bennett will have to wait to showcase the improvements he’s made to his game, however. As Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes, the 26-year-old will begin training camp on the sidelines recovering from left knee tendinitis.
The Rockets currently have just 11 fully guaranteed contracts on their roster, which leaves ample room for a player like Bennett to stick with the squad when the regular season begins. If Bennett’s impact when he returns to health is anything like it was in the G League when he shot 45.3% from beyond the arc last season, there’s a good chance that he does just that.
There’s more out of Houston today:
- The Rockets came up with a creative way of structuring big man Nene‘s contract to increase his potential trade value but the NBA threw a wrench their plans. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, franchise owner Tilman Fertitta respects the league’s decision and doesn’t intend to question it.
- The Rockets have hired former NBA assistant coach Ed Pinckney as a scout, Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets.
- Not only has the offensive system not changed since Ryan Anderson last donned a Rockets jersey, but he still owns the same condo that he used to live in. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes about Anderson’s smooth transition back to Houston.
Hopefully Bennett can salvage something of a career. He’ll never live up to the #1 pick, but he might be able to climb above LaRue Martin and not be the worst #1 pick ever anymore. Of course Markelle Fultz still has an argument as well. But it’s probably way too early to write him off yet.
Bennet probably still doesn’t have a position, but that matters less anymore, esp with the Rockets, who only have at most 4 positions– center, midsize defender (2), Harden, & Harden’s buddy.
There is not “ample room” for Anthony Bennett on the Rockets roster. Aside from the 11 players with fully guaranteed contracts, I think it’s also safe to say that both Gary Clark and Isaiah Hartenstein are virtual locks to make the team (with half of their contracts for this year guaranteed). That leaves just two open roster spots, with Ryan Anderson most likely to get one of them. So basically Bennett is fighting for the final roster spot with Ben McLemore, Michael Frazier, and maybe Chris Clemons (assuming they even keep 15 players).
If Bennett can shoot 45% from 3, you make room!