Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets rookie first-round pick Amen Thompson will reportedly miss the rest of summer league due to an ankle injury.

According to ESPN's Marc J. Spears, Thompson suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain in Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and he is expected to miss between three and four weeks.

Thompson left Friday's game in the final minute after landing awkwardly while going for a rebound:

Houston selected Thompson with No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. His twin brother, Ausar Thompson, went fifth overall to the Detroit Pistons.

The 6'7" Thompson starred for the Overtime Elite, and while it remains to be seen how well he will transition from that league to the NBA, early returns were good in the summer league.

In 28 minutes of play Friday, Thompson had an impressive 16 points, five assists, four rebounds, four blocks and three steals, showing his ability to impact the game in myriad ways.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Thompson said after the game that his ankle was "pretty sore."

Thompson figures to be a key cog in the Rockets' attempt to return to playoff contention after winning between 17 and 22 games in each of the past three seasons.

He is joining a roster that includes 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green and 2022 No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr., as well as other talented, young players in guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Alperen Şengün.

Additionally, the Rockets signed former Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet and former Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks to big free-agent contracts this offseason.

Now that Houston has the type of leadership it lacked in previous years, it could be a threat to compete for a playoff spot in 2023-24 and beyond.

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet is ready for a new chapter of his career after seven years in Toronto, telling ESPN's Tim MacMahon that he will "work every day to make sure I prove every penny" on his three-year, $130 million contract.

"They don't want me to be anybody but myself," VanVleet said. "And I know people are crazy about the number, but the league is growing every year and that number won't be that number in a few years. So I know it's a shock factor with the narrative that I have around me as an undrafted guy, but I'm going to work every day to make sure I prove every penny."

VanVleet, an undrafted free agent out of Wichita State, spent the first seven years of his career with the Raptors. He won an NBA championship there in 2019 and earned All-Star honors in 2021. He also finished as the first runner-up among guards in 2022 All-Defensive Team voting.

Last season, VanVleet averaged 19.3 points on 39.3 percent shooting, 7.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while earning a career-high 117 offensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.

He declined a 2023-24 player option after the season and cashed in with the Rockets.

Now the 29-year-old takes on a brand-new challenge with the Rockets, a very young team featuring exciting talents such as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and more. But Houston is in sore need of some veteran leadership, and that's where VanVleet comes in.

He'll be flanked by a few other newcomers who have been around the block in Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks, and the team also signed longtime NBA assistant and former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka to lead the way.

VanVleet spoke about setting a professional standard in Houston, which finished last in the Western Conference at 22-60.

"I think just coming in and setting the tone and just bringing a professional approach from day one, I think it's going to be a whole total new feel with what they've had between myself and Ime and just some of the other veterans that we've added," VanVleet said.

"The young guys have a lot of talent, and we just got to kind of mesh it and mold it the best we can to be able to build a winner."

He also spoke to Ryan Clark on The Pivot about how important it was for Houston to get into the playoffs.

Fred VanVleet: "We got to get them Houston #Rockets in the playoffs. That's where my mind is at. I've been in the lab this week. We got to get the Houston Rockets where they're supposed to be at. That's all I've been thinking about." pic.twitter.com/yUruNzDn9P

— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 7, 2023

For now, eyes are on the summer league team as young players develop their games in Las Vegas. Houston will play next on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.

On the heels of a disappointing rookie season for the Houston Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. had a nice showcase in Friday's 100-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in a Las Vegas Summer League game.

Speaking to Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets after the game, Smith explained his decision to play this summer was because his "rookie year wasn't perfect," team really struggled last season and it's an opportunity to get reps "with my new teammates, play with my new coaches."

"I'm 20 years old. Why wouldn't I play? We were 22-60 last year. ... My rookie year wasn't perfect, so why not get out here and get reps? Play with my new teammates, play with my new coaches."

Jabari Smith Jr. on why he's playing in Summer League 💯

(via @JTGatlin) https://t.co/fEjlKmOzB6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 8, 2023

In a game featuring three top-20 picks from the 2023 draft, including lottery selections Scoot Henderson (No. 3) and Amen Thompson (No. 4), Smith stole the show with 33 points in 31 minutes.

The highlight of the night was Smith's game-winning three at the buzzer to give the Rockets the victory.

Expectations were high for Smith when the Rockets selected him third overall in the 2022 draft. He was coming into the NBA after being named SEC Freshman of the Year and to the All-SEC first team in his lone season at Auburn.

Smith struggled like many first-year players tend to do in the league. He did get better as the season went along, averaging 14.6 points on 44.6 percent shooting and 7.6 rebounds per game in 24 starts after the All-Star break.

The Rockets are hoping to make significant strides next season after going 22-60. They added Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency to play with their young core that includes Smith, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.

Houston's long-term outlook depends heavily on Smith turning into the player draft pundits believed he could be coming out of Auburn last year.

Playing in Summer League to hone his skills suggests Smith is going to put in the work to make himself better going into his second season.

Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NBA draft, suffered a sprained left ankle during his summer league debut against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

A Rockets source relayed the news to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who added that the injury isn't considered serious. Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported the Rockets aren't expected to let Thompson return to the court during Summer League.

The ailment occurred near the end of the third quarter:

Amen Thompson exited the game with an apparent ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/h9MxRNorkw

— ESPN (@espn) July 8, 2023

As Marc J. Spears of Andscape noted, Thompson appeared to be in a lot of pain before limping back to the locker room.

Thompson starred before leaving the game, posting 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, five assists, four rebounds, four blocks and three steals in 28 minutes. Houston came from behind to beat Portland 100-99 on a buzzer-beating Jabari Smith Jr. three-pointer.

Per MacMahon, Thompson told reporters after the game that his ankle was "pretty sore."

"I know I'm gonna be good, but it's really up to the staff," Thompson added, per Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets.

As of now, Houston has games scheduled on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at minimum. Hopefully Thompson is able to return to the court healthy as soon as possible, although it would certainly be understandable to see Houston hold him out after the scary injury.

On the bright side, Thompson looked sensational and well worth the No. 4 overall pick. It was only one summer league game, but he looks like a potential cornerstone piece for a Rockets team desperately looking to escape the NBA basement.

It was glorious while it lasted.

What was meant to be one of the marquee matchups of the first night of Las Vegas Summer League between Scoot Henderson and the Portland Trail Blazers versus Amen Thompson and the Houston Rockets was all it was hyped up to be.

Even in a thrilling game that ended on a Jabari Smith Jr. buzzer-beating three for a 100-99 Rockets win, all eyes were on the two rookies that were taken back-to-back in June's NBA Draft.

The top two guard prospects in the class, Henderson (No. 3 overall) and Thompson (no. 4) battled it out admirably at the Thomas and Mack Center in Sin City and took the crowd by storm.

Living up to all the praise that he had coming out of the G League Ignite, Henderson came out looking explosive and poised, everything Portland would want out Damian Lillard's eventual successor.

The 19-year-old star had 13 quick points in the first quarter, including a couple impressive off-the-dribble jumpers and a nice english finish at the rim, trying to show everyone why he believes he was the best player in the draft.

Unfortunately his night was cut short in the third quarter after he suffered a right shoulder injury. He ended the night with 15 points to go along with five rebounds, six assists and a steal in 21 minutes of action.

The young star had NBA Twitter on fire, with Portland fans excited for the season, even with the imminent departure of Lillard

Scoot Henderson steps back for his first bucket!

Watch the No. 3 pick's #NBA2KSummerLeague debut LIVE on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/XdMor7tsua

— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2023

Scoot Henderson in the 1st Quarter:

13 Points
3 Rebounds
3 Assists
71% FG
100% 3P pic.twitter.com/SWMauYnwNZ

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 7, 2023

Hornets fans seeing Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller play in Summer League pic.twitter.com/GssZ1Scadj

— Reece Candler (@reecec1102) July 7, 2023

Scoot Henderson’s generationalpic.twitter.com/XNLh7kPFAH

— Israel (@iohandles) July 7, 2023

SCOOT HENDERSON SHAEDON SHARPE pic.twitter.com/DRgKDsemUc

— 🌼 (@CellBoomin2) July 7, 2023

After watching one half of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, I think the Blazers will be just fine parting ways with Dame.

— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) July 7, 2023

if your name is scoot henderson you logically have to be talented and famous. if not then what’s the point

— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) July 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/1677476179371085824

https://twitter.com/itsYDG2/status/1677478188098768896

Scoot Henderson sees the game in slow-motion. He's going to be so freaking good.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 7, 2023

https://twitter.com/fahshohim/status/1677458456469549056

As for Thompson, he showed out as well on both ends of the floor by absolutely stuffing the stat sheet. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, five assists, three steals and four blocks.

Just giving the Rockets everything they could want and more.

But much like Henderson, Thompson also succumbed to injury, going down with an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of Houston's win. But his performance showed that the Rockets' future could not be in better hands, even with Fred VanVleet seemingly being the placeholder at the point guard position.

Thompson was as advertised.

Amen Thompson in his debut:

16 PTS
4 REB
5 AST
3 STL
4 BLK

Ant and Kyrie were the only guards with 3+ STL, 4+ BLK in a game last season. pic.twitter.com/yKdAepgZoe

— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 8, 2023

Amen Thompson's vision is ELITE 🥽 pic.twitter.com/8W6SOqaPq4

— ESPN (@espn) July 8, 2023

ALSO.

I do not think Amen Thompson will start to begin the regular season but I do not know how long that can remain the case lol

— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) July 7, 2023

Amen Thompson was literally everywhere tonight…

He moved like a 6’7” Russell Westbrook offensively and finished with 7 stock’s defensively..

I’ve never quite seen anything like it. pic.twitter.com/cEN0W1Hui4

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) July 8, 2023

If you ain’t watching Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe vs Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore tonight I don’t know if you a real hoops fan. pic.twitter.com/vhnhVTIYDB

— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) July 7, 2023

“That Amen Thompson kid might be coming for my job real soon.” pic.twitter.com/BSTW5zUZxL

— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) July 8, 2023

Game One SL Thoughts:

1. Amen Thompson looks exactly as advertised. Serious cause for excitement in Houston

2. Tari Eason continues to be an impact player who contributes to winning

3. Jabari came alive in the 3Q. That’s the version of his game I wanna see a lot of this season

— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) July 8, 2023

https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba/status/1677459315345739776

Friday night's performances shouldn't just be a bright moment for each respective fanbase, but for the NBA as a whole.

The future of the point guard position has a couple of potential stars on their hands with Henderson and Thompson if they can stay healthy and on this trajectory.

Hopefully it won't be the last time hoop lovers will be able to see them in action this summer.

Fresh off winning his first NBA title with the Denver Nuggets, Jeff Green is on the move again after agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Houston Rockets on Saturday, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

Bringing in Green, a longtime trusted role player, continues the Rockets' offseason trend of adding proven veterans to their young, talented roster. They already added Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jock Landale.

The 36-year-old averaged 7.8 points per game with Denver last season to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 56 games.

This will be his second stint in Houston, having played for the organization for 18 games during the 2019-20 season.

Since being taken No. 5 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics, Green has become one of the league's best journeymen, having stints with 10 different organizations including the Celtics, Grizzlies, Clippers, Magic, Cavaliers, Wizards, Jazz and Nets.

Much like VanVleet, he will help be the adult in the locker room for a Rockets' team that's core mostly consisted of recent lottery picks like Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. as well as Alperen Şengün.

Green served a similar role for the Nuggets, helping keep a talented but unproven in the postseason team composed as they steamrolled their way to the first tile in franchise history.

From finishing tied for the second-worst record in the league last season, Houston now has a roster that looks like it can slide right into playoff contention with its nice mix of veteran leadership as well as young, athletic talent.

And Green could play a huge role in that, even if it doesn't pop up on the stat sheet every night.

The Houston Rockets have agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with former Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks, highlighting a very busy Saturday for the franchise.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski relayed the news from Brooks' agent, Mike George of One Legacy Sports.

Wojnarowski later reported Brooks was acquired via sign-and-trade.

The Rockets already agreed to terms with point guard Fred VanVleet (three years, $130 million) on Friday.

Now the Rockets have added Brooks and center Jock Landale, who has agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic. Veteran forward Jeff Green, who was most recently a member of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets, has agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Houston has also been busy on the trade market. Josh Christopher, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, is now a member of the Grizzlies, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

In addition, K.J. Martin is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers for a pair of second-round picks, per Wojnarowski.

Lastly, the Rockets traded TyTy Washington Jr. and Usman Garuba to the Atlanta Hawks, per Charania, supposedly to clear roster space.

With all that in mind, here's a look at how the starting lineup, roster and team salary-cap space looks now.

Starting Lineup

PG: Fred VanVleet

SG: Jalen Green

SF: Dillon Brooks

PF: Jabari Smith Jr.

C: Alperen Şengün

The Rockets figure to have two new starters this year in VanVleet at the point and Brooks on the wing. On paper, Houston looks to have a deep and loaded bench featuring two first-rounders (Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore), guard Kevin Porter Jr., forward Tari Eason and the new big man in Landale. Jae'Sean Tate should also see minutes as well.

Rockets Active Roster and 2023-24 Salary (Expiration Year)

Amen Thompson, SF: Rookie-scale contract

Cam Whitmore, SF: Rookie-scale contract

Fred VanVleet, PG: $40.8M (2026)

Dillon Brooks, SG/SF: $21.6M (2027)

Kevin Porter Jr., PG: $15.9M (2027)

Jalen Green, SG: $9.9M (2025)

Jabari Smith Jr., PF: $9.3M (2026)

Jock Landale, C: $7.4M (2026)

Jae'Sean Tate, SF: $6.5M (2025)

Jeff Green, PF: $6M (2024)

Tari Eason, PF: $3.5M (2026)

Alperen Şengün, C: $3.5M (2025)

Darius Days, SF: Two-way contract

Trevor Hudgins, PG: Two-way contract

Free Agents

Frank Kaminsky, C: UFA

Boban Marjanović, C: UFA

D.J. Augustin PG: UFA

Willie Cauley-Stein, C: UFA

Michael Frazier, SG: RFA

Salary Cap

Spotrac listed the Rockets with an "active roster cap" of $120,996,422 after the VanVleet, Brooks and Landale signings as well as the Martin trade. Adding Green ($6,000,000) and dropping Christopher ($2,485,200 cap figure in 2023-24) would give the team an active roster cap of about $124.5 million.

That does not include the "cap hold," which notably includes (but is not limited to) contracts that rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore will sign. That number is $21,906,273, per Spotrac.

That would give the Rockets a total cap of roughly $146.4 million at the moment. The NBA's 2023-24 cap is set for $136.021 million.

The Los Angeles Clippers acquired Kenyon Martin Jr. from the Houston Rockets in exchange for two future second-round picks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

It's been a busy day for the organization. After bringing back former league MVP Russell Westbrook on a two-year, $7.8 million deal, per Wojnarowski, the Clips now add to their wing depth with Martin, who is coming off a strong third season in the league.

Martin, 22, averaged a career-high 12.7 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 56.9 percent shooting from the field.

With the Rockets picking up Martin's team option Thursday, he'll be entering the final season of his four-year, $6.1 million rookie deal. He's set to make $1.9 million next year, giving the Clippers a young, cheap and talented option to back up the often-injured Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Since coming out of IMG Academy in 2020 and getting taken by the Kings in the second-round of that year's draft, Martin has slowly carved out a nice niche for himself in the NBA. He became a big rotation piece for Houston last season, playing 28 minutes a night in 82 games, 49 of those being starts.

He now goes from a young, talented and inexperienced squad to one of the main contenders to come out of the Western Conference with a chance to earn himself a big second contract.

He is the son of former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin, who is best known for his stints with the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets.

Dillon Brooks secured himself a bag.

The former Grizzlies veteran agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with the Houston Rockets on Saturday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, and it's a significant raise from the $11.7 million per year he earned with Memphis on his last deal.

Brooks has become one of the most controversial players in the NBA due to his aggressive style of defense and his trash talking of some of the league's top stars, including Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James.

After the Grizzlies were eliminated from the 2023 playoffs, it was reported Memphis wouldn't bring him back in 2023-24 and beyond under any circumstances, likely due to his antics.

With how everything unfolded with Brooks during the 2022-23 campaign, NBA fans were stunned that he landed himself a deal worth $20 million annually, especially considering Russell Westbrook signed a two-year, $8 million deal:

“no one’s dumb enough to eat a huge Dillon Brooks contract”

the rockets: pic.twitter.com/4Ud2WHGT3M

— I Think You Should League Pass (@nbaleave) July 1, 2023

Westbrook only getting 8 Mil, while Dillon Brooks & Van Vleet combine for 210 Mil don’t sit right with me.

— T-Jax (@TJIII2) July 1, 2023

Dillon Brooks agent the true plug

— Reincarnated Filth (@BraysPain) July 1, 2023

80m guaranteed for dillon brooks is crazy

— Flo Son ☔️ (@thenittyeffect) July 1, 2023

Rockets just overpaid both Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks

— Luca Rosano (@lucarosano3) July 1, 2023

$80 million for Dillon Brooks is crazy.

— Tron Carter (@Dr_EZwider) July 1, 2023

$80 million for Dillon Brooks is crazy

— JT (@Waun____) July 1, 2023

They gave Dillon Brooks 80 Million. NBA just a circus at this point.

— Da Good Brother (@DewMeNoFavors) July 1, 2023

dillon brooks making more than russ is insane

— ben dover (@jourcvmp) July 1, 2023

I think the Grizzlies would have paid $80M to never see Dillon Brooks again https://t.co/NDf45WSQso

— C Jackson Cowart (@CJacksonCowart) July 1, 2023

Brooks spent the first six seasons of his career with the Grizzlies.

While the 27-year-old is a solid defender, his offensive number dipped during the 2022-23 season as he averaged 14.3 points and 2.6 assists while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from deep. He also averaged 3.3 rebounds.

Brooks' tenure with the Rockets is going to be one of the most-watched around the league given the terms of his deal, and he's going to face some significant pressure to exceed expectations in a lineup that also includes Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.

The Houston Rockets and Dillon Brooks have agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski added the deal will ultimately be a sign-and-trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, who will "generate a substantial trade exception."

Patty Mills will be sent to the Grizzlies as part of the sign-and-trade, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Mills was acquired earlier in the day in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, via Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Brooks spent his first six seasons with the Grizzlies, who acquired the former Oregon star on the night of the 2017 draft after he was selected with the 45th pick.

He averaged 14.3 points on 39.6 percent shooting last year for the second-place Grizzlies, who fell in the first round of the playoffs.

The 27-year-old has been a mainstay in the team's starting lineup for four seasons as they've emerged as a perennial contender in the Western Conference.

Brooks was symbolic of the team's confident attitude, becoming one of the NBA's top antagonists, with the Golden State Warriors notably drawing his ire to the point where he told reporters he owned "real estate" in their heads.

Brooks also trash-talked LeBron James in an interview after the team's Game 2 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round series.

"I don't care. He's old. ... I don't respect no one until they come and give me 40."

Dillon Brooks on his exchange with LeBron 😳

(via @espn_macmahon)pic.twitter.com/P5yNF2c1pT

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2023

The rest of the series went poorly for Brooks, who was ejected in Game 3 after hitting James in the groin. He didn't speak with reporters after any of the team's three road losses to the Lakers in Memphis' eventual six-game series loss and ended up shooting just 31.2 percent (23.8 percent from three) en route to 10.5 points per game.

Houston has had a strong start to free agency, already having brought in former Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet on Friday to complement a young stable of talent that features Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, among others.