Overhaul takes wings
New GM Stone retools roster with small forward/shooting guard types
New Rockets general manager Rafael Stone might have a type. Either that or he believes the Rockets have a need for physical wings.
In his overhaul of the roster, Stone on Sunday continued to focus on players with at least some similar characteristics. As they load up on small forward/shooting guard types, the Rockets reached agreements with free agents Sterling Brown, a three-year veteran with the Bucks, and Jae’Sean Tate, a star in the Australian league last season, two individuals with knowledge of the deals said.
Tate, 25, was a first-team-All-NBL selection last season while playing for new Rockets assistant coach Will Weaver on the Sydney Kings. He agreed to a three-year deal.
A 6-foot-4 forward/guard out of Ohio State, Tate averaged 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds last season, making 37.3 percent of his 3s, though he primarily worked inside, making 73 percent of his shots inside the 3-point line.
Brown, who at 6-5 can play guard or forward, will sign a one-year contract worth $1.7 million, a person familiar with the deal said.
As expected, the Rockets lost one of their key guards fromthe past two seasons as Austin Rivers agreed to a threeyear deal with the Knicks.
The Rockets have looked more to players who would work off the ball and perhaps with the physicality to switch defensively. Including David Nwaba, who was added in June when he was hurt and out for the season, and the undrafted rookies who reached agreement since Wednesday’s draft, the Rockets are in position to have seven additions between 6-4 and 6-6.
The Rockets on Wednesday picked up 6-6 Kenyon Martin Jr. in the draft’s second round and reached agreements with wings Mason Jones, Trevelin Queen and Brodric Thomas.
Brown, like Nwaba, is considered a physical and versatile wing defender. Brown has not been as consistent as a 3-point shooter as expected, however, averaging 5.1 points on 41.7 percent shooting (34.5 percent on 3s) in his three seasons with Milwaukee. He made just 32.4 percent of his 3s last season.
Brown, 25, played four seasons at SMU for Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown, leaving as the school’s all-time leader in wins. Hewas a second-round pick of the 76ers, traded that night to the Bucks.
In November, he reached a $750,000 settlement with the City of Milwaukee after a 2018 incident in which he was tackled, tased and repeatedly stepped on by police officers following an alleged parking violation, actions the city acknowledged to be a constitutional violation. Brown was never charged with a crime.
Brown has become a vocal activist promoting social justice. He was named one of five players on the NBA’s and National Basketball Players Association’s new National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, an organization formed to lead efforts to advance equality and social justice.
With Brown and the pending addition of free-agent center Christian Wood, the Rockets would have 10 NBA veterans under contract.
Also on Sunday, the trade of forward Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers became official.
“Robert is an elite defender and consummate professional that will make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor,” Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey said in a statement. “His versatility enables him to play multiple positions, and his character and professionalism will allow him to transition seamlessly into our culture.”
The Rockets received Trevor Ariza and a first-round pick in Wednesday’s draft, with both to go to the Pistons in the deal that will include the sign-andtrade of Wood going to the Rockets.