AUGUST 2: The Rockets have officially signed Williams, they announced today in a press release.
AUGUST 1: The Rockets have agreed to a contract with Jeenathan Williams, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. It’s a training camp deal, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The Trail Blazers waived Williams last week before his $1,719,864 salary for the 2023/24 season became guaranteed.
Houston had plenty of room on its camp roster to add Williams. His addition will increase the total to 17 players.
Williams, a 6’5” swingman, could have a better shot than most players on training camp contracts to gain a spot on the 15-man roster. The Rockets also have a two-way opening.
Williams, who went undrafted out of Buffalo in 2022, spent most of his first professional season with the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s G League affiliate. In 32 regular season appearances for Salt Lake City, he averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 29.8 minutes per game.
That G League performance earned Williams a late-season call-up with the Blazers, who signed him to a multiyear deal on April 1. He got extended playing time for the lottery-bound club down the stretch, averaging 10.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG in five contests (25.4 MPG), including four starts.
“Jimmy Butler” finally making it back home to Houston lol
He should get a chance