4:30pm: Harkless has been officially waived by the Rockets, according to the transaction log at NBA.com.
3:33pm: The Rockets intend to waive veteran forward Maurice Harkless, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Harkless was traded three times during the offseason. The first deal saw him head from Sacramento to Atlanta as part of the Kevin Huerter deal, then he was dealt to the Thunder in a cost-cutting move that put the Hawks under the luxury tax, and finally he was part of the eight-player trade that saw Derrick Favors land in Houston.
The Rockets have 18 players on guaranteed standard contracts, so they were facing a roster crunch, because the regular season limit is 15 players. They decided that having a 29-year-old on the roster when the rebuilding club’s depth chart is already overflowing with forwards didn’t make a lot of sense, so they’re cutting Harkless and eating his $4,564,980 salary for 2022/23, which is fully guaranteed. Harkless will clear waivers on Thursday, assuming the move is made official today.
A 10-year veteran, Harkless has played for the Magic, Trail Blazers, Clippers, Knicks, Heat and Kings since being selected with the 15th overall pick in 2012. Known as a solid defender, Harkless hold career averages of 6.9 PPG, 3.5 RPG and 0.9 SPG on .474/.320/.624 shooting in 621 regular season games (371 starts, 22.6 MPG).
How could Rockets be Mo’ Harkless?
Don’t give up your day job
I’ll give you 50 punk rock points for that.
Maurice Harkless is a very good defensive player that can guard three positions. He just needs to improve his three point shooting.
Yeah. His 3 point shooting has been his major weakness but he can help a team right now in need of depth at the wing spot.
Cough lakers cough
He would be a perfect replacement for Stanley Johnson.
Bulls can use a back up 4 that’s taller than 6’4…
Maybe Phoenix if they end up moving Crowder? Charlotte, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Knicks, Heat..There are other options at the 4 out there, and a few teams that need help there, but I think if he doesnt end up with someone now, he definitely will by the middle of the season