The Rockets have released rookie guard Scott Machado, reports Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Machado had been on a partially guaranteed contract, and his departure will open up a roster spot for Patrick Beverley. Beverley has already signed a deal with the Rockets, and will officially be added to the roster once he receives FIBA clearance.
As a first-year player, Machado would have made a full-season salary of $473,604 had his deal been guaranteed for the season. The contract had a 50% guarantee on it, so the 22-year-old will receive $236,802 from Houston. Machado will be one of a handful of players being paid by the Rockets but no longer on the roster, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors explored this weekend.
If Machado clears waivers and can't find an NBA deal, the Rockets would likely have interest in seeing him on their D-League affiliate, tweets Feigen.