Green receives a buyout agreement after trade
The Rockets on Sunday reached a buyout agreement with veteran guard Danny Green, acquired in the three-team trade deadline deal that sent Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers, Green’s agent, Raymond Brothers said.
Green, a 14-year veteran, had received interest from several teams considered to be playoff teams and potentially contenders, a person with knowledge of the situation said, leading him to choose not to join the rebuilding Rockets when they gave him that option.
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone had said Friday he would not want to force a player to complete the season with the Rockets if they had options they preferred.
Green, a career 39.9 percent 3-point shooter, has won championships with the Spurs, Raptors and Lakers. He had played in three games this season with the Grizzlies after coming back from a torn ACL.
With Green’s buyout, players the Rockets have waived or bought out this season will earn more than players currently on the Rockets. No current Rockets player has more than three seasons of experience, other than newcomers Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky, who were acquired in Thursday’s trade deadline trade with the Hawks.
Sengun helping with quake relief
Rockets center Alperen Sengun was not just in pain watching the devastation and anguish in Turkey since last week’s earthquake, he felt helpless.
“It’s really been hurting me because that’s not my family, but it can be. We never know. We need to take care of our peoples. I’m sad. I’m not there. But I can help.”
He knew he needed to help in any he could. On Saturday, he announced a way.
Sengun announced the start of a fundraising effort in which he will raffle off his game-worn and autographed jersey, along with game-worn autographed jerseys of teammates Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., and an autographed Hakeem Olajuwon jersey.
The raffle also offers a Rockets ticket package for the Dec. 13 game against the Boston Celtics that includes two club tickets, dinner for two and a postgame meet and greet with Sengun.
“I can share from here,” Sengun said. “I have fans. I have people that follow me. I’m trying to do my best to share with everyone.
“That’s my people, you know? I see a lot of media pictures. That’s breaking my heart. It’s really bad. I know I have games every two days. I need to focus. But it’s really important for me over there, too. I play my best for my peoples. They’re my peoples so I try my best. I cannot go over there, but I can help from here.”
More than 33,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria last Monday.
On Saturday, Sengun posted a tweet:
“Join me in helping the people in my home country of Turkey. I’m auctioning off game worn signed jerseys to raise money. Proceeds will benefit Ahbap, a Turkish organization that is working in the earthquake torn areas. givebutter.com/c/ZnS9WB”
All proceeds will go to Ahbap, a Turkish organization that is working in the earthquake torn areas to help families with food, water and basic needs.
“That’s (what) a lot of players do in Turkey, soccer players, basketball players, and I need to do something,” Sengun said. “I’m trying reach them. I know they are in a really bad condition, right now. I’m trying to do my best for them. I can’t go over there, but I can help from here.”