Brooks, Rockets agree on contract

Second-year guard Armoni Brooks, who had several head-turning performances late last season and a starring role in the Rockets’ summer league finale, agreed on Friday to an exhibit 10 contract to be with Rockets in training camp next month, a person with knowledge of the deal said.

Brooks had long been considered likely to be with the Rockets at camp given their appreciation for his play and growth last season and his belief that he could continue to improve and carve out a niche with the Rockets.

Brooks finished summer league by hitting nine 3-pointers and scoring 30 points just days after he rejoined the team after a stretch in quarantine because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

“I was really upset that I couldn’t be out here when they first got here,” Brooks said after making 9 of 17 3-pointers to key the Rockets’ win in the summer league finale. “To be here, playing, being around the coaching staff, is great. To finish it off in that fashion is even better.”

Brooks, 23, played 20 games with the Rockets last season on a two-way contract, averaging 11.2 points and making 38.2 percent of his 3-pointers.

The Rockets had made the former University of Houston guard a qualifying offer to return with a twoway contract.

He will be among the players under consideration for a final roster spot or to play with another two-way.

The Rockets have 15 players under standard NBA contracts, 14 fully guaranteed. Forward Anthony Lamb is expected to be the final player at camp.

Jonathan Feigen Cavaliers acquire Markkanen: The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire Lauri Markkanen, a restricted free agent forward from Chicago, in a three-way trade that will send forward Larry Nance Jr. from Cleveland to Portland, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday.

The Bulls are getting swingman Derrick Jones Jr. from the Trail Blazers along with a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick.