House’s home not here for now
Forward finds himself on waiver wire, but a trade could open up roster spot
The Rockets made an unexpected roster move Tuesday with a follow-up deal expected soon.
The Rockets waived Danuel House Jr. to open a roster spot with the Rockets seeking a trade this week, a person with knowledge of the team’s plans said.
Just days after Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni praised House's play by saying the forward “belongs in the NBA somewhere,” House no longer was in the NBA with the Rockets.
The Rockets waived House, a day after he played 12 minutes in a loss at Minnesota as P.J. Tucker’s primary backup at power forward, but could bring him back depending on other potential deals.
The Rockets are seeking a deal this week, in time to possibly include a player involved in another trade before the Feb. 7 deadline, the person with knowledge of the plans said.
The decision to waive House could indicate confidence that a deal will be made, though it comes at the risk that House would be picked up on waivers.
House averaged 8.4 points per game on 39.4 percent shooting in his five games with the Rockets.
The Rockets also will need a roster spot this month to convert rookie Gary Clark, who is playing on a two-way contract, to a standard contract. Clark still has 13 days in the NBA remaining before using up his allotment of 45 in his two-way contract.
House was signed off the roster of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ G League affiliate, when the Rockets were shorthanded while Chris Paul and Gerald Green were out.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein, who was dropped from the rotation when veteran Nene was cleared to play Saturday, was sent to the Vipers on Tuesday, but that does not open a roster spot.