The Rockets intend to sign free agent forward Tyler Smith to a two-way contract, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, who reports (via Twitter) that Houston will waive guard Kevon Harris in order to open up a roster spot for the newcomer.
Smith, 21, was the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 draft and spent his rookie season with the Bucks. However, he played a very limited role in Milwaukee, logging just 122 total minutes across 23 NBA appearances.
Smith played more regularly in the G League, averaging 25.1 minutes per contest across 25 outings for the Wisconsin Herd, but he didn’t put up big numbers for the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate, averaging 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game with a .415/.327/.824 shooting line.
The victim of a roster crunch in Milwaukee, Smith was waived by the Bucks in October and entered the G League draft, where he was selected second overall by the Osceola Magic. The 6’9″ forward was subsequently traded to the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s affiliate, and has averaged 10.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.5 APG on .378/.243/.846 shooting through eight games for the Go-Go this fall.
Despite his underwhelming production in the G League, Smith still has enough value to earn a shot from the 13-5 Rockets, one of the NBA’s best teams so far this season. Smith is more likely to stay in the G League and join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers than to see regular playing time at the NBA level for Houston, but it’s worth noting that he could be active for up to 38 NBA games for the rest of the season.
Harris, 28, hadn’t played at all for the Rockets this season. A G League veteran, he made 34 total NBA appearances from 2022-24 while on two-way contracts with Orlando.