2:43pm: The Rockets have officially signed Lamb to a two-way contract, the team announced today (via Twitter).
7:32am: The Rockets are signing forward Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’ll be the second time in two seasons that Houston has signed Lamb to a two-way deal.
Lamb, 24, played in the G League bubble with the Canton Charge and Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2020/21 after going undrafted out of Vermont in 2020. His solid showing for Houston’s G League affiliate (the Vipers) earned him a two-way contract with the Rockets last March.
He averaged 5.5 PPG and 2.9 RPG in 24 games (17.3 MPG) for Houston, then accepted his two-way qualifying offer during the offseason. However, he was waived in October so the Rockets could claim Garrison Mathews.
Lamb subsequently returned to the Vipers for the 2021/22 season, earning a 10-day call-up with the Spurs in January before rejoining Houston’s G League team. In 26 regular season games (33.9 MPG) for Rio Grande Valley, he has averaged 16.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 1.3 BPG on .467/.398/.764 shooting.
The Rockets have had a two-way opening since promoting Daishen Nix to their 15-man roster last month, so no corresponding move will be necessary to create room for Lamb.
Many of the players who have signed late-season two-way deals have agreed to tack on a second year to their new contracts. It’s unclear at this point if Lamb’s deal will include a second year or if he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason.
Seems like Houston is following the 6ers “Process” development model, and may uncover some undrafted talents.