The Rockets face the hard cuts as the deadline for trimming the roster looms.
D’Antoni finds worthwhile traits in rookie forward, versatile guard
Rockets rookie forward Kyle Wiltjer took a dribble handoff and moved toward a screen as a buzz began to fill the arena.
The crowd in Toyota Center for a Sunday Fan Fest and public scrimmage might not have known the second line of a scouting report on Wiltjer, but it knew what comes next and immediately expected him to launch a 3.
Wiltjer did not disappoint. Less certain is whether he will remain with the Rockets.
The Rockets will take their final roster cuts to the Monday deadline, needing to trim four players to get to the maximum of 15.
The first two of those cuts are clear, with P.J. Hairston and Le’Bryan Nash already signed for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate. After that, the decisions will be more challenging.
The 6-10 Wiltjer would be the lone big man left, with his strength as a range-shooting four fitting in nicely with Mike D’Antoni’s offense. Wiltjer also could benefit from the ongoing impasse between the Rockets restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas.
Three is a crowd
If Wiltjer makes the roster, that could leave the decision to be made among guards Bobby Brown, Tyler Ennis and Gary Payton II — barring any roster move to bring in help with guard Pat Beverley out. Ennis has played by far the most significant minutes, potentially indicating his place in the Rockets’ plans. But Brown has come on.
“Those last two cuts are a very gray area,” D’Antoni said. “It’s not easily done, and somebody is going to get the short end of the stick. I hate it, but that’s the business we’re in.”
Nose for the game
Wiltjer has turned heads, hitting 41.7 percent of his 3-pointers and 47.5 percent of his shots.
“He has two NBA skills,” D’Antoni said. “One is shooting which is off the charts and is not just an NBA skill, but a top-level NBA skill. He can be a great shooter. The second thing is he really knows how to play offensively. He has a great feel for the game.
“On defense, he’s always in the right position. He lacks a little strength. He lacks a little mobility. They’ll work on that and he’ll get better. He’ll get stronger physically. But if you watch his whole game and watch film on him, he’s a very high-level player. I think he’s an NBA player.”
If the Rockets make that official, Wiltjer’s draft-night decision — when he signed with the Rockets as an undrafted free agent to play in D’Antoni’s offense — will have paid off.
“My agent (Mark Bartelstein) said, ‘Coach D’Antoni really helped reinvent Steve Novak with the system as a big who could shoot,’ ” Wiltjer said. “I looked at a couple of teams that wanted me, but I thought with coach D’Antoni and the system he runs, it would really fit the way I play.
“I was very fortunate to get this situation because a big emphasis with the Rockets for this year has been shooting. I thought I could really help.”
The 6-2 Brown signed with the Rockets because of another connection. He arrived with the recommendation of longtime friend James Harden but played little through most of the preseason. But in the final preseason game, Brown led the Rockets with 23 points and nine assists, production he reprised in the brief public scrimmage Sunday.
“I got to play in San Antonio and was able to showcase what I can bring to the team, but also could do better,” Brown said. “I try not to think about it. Whatever happens, have to live with it.”
Styles and strengths
If the decision for the final backcourt spot is between Brown and Ennis, the Rockets might be considering styles and strengths as opposed to solely making a comparison of their play.
Brown is much more of a scorer; Ennis more of a pick-and-roll ballhandler and decision-maker.
If the Rockets were in an emergency situation and had to play a guard from outside the current rotation, Brown could offer instant offense, but the Rockets might prefer to have a passer playing with their collection of shooters.
Filling a need
But Brown has shown an ability to step in and produce after not playing at all, the situation most likely for the final player on the roster.
“A lot of times it has nothing to do with beating out the other guy,” D’Antoni said. “They’re all NBA players. They’re all really good players. They all played great in college. They all have something to offer. What needs we have, we need to satisfy. Some guys are better at it than others. We have to determine that.”
The Rockets are just about out of time to make that determination, with Wiltjer hoping to keep launching those crowdpleasing 3s.
“I’ll be fine, but I really, really hope it’s in Houston,” Wiltjer said. “The minute I stepped in Houston, I fell in love with the city. I would love for it to be here, but I think I have some good options. I have to be ready for that next step. Hopefully, it’s here.”