January 4: Newton has been signed and Smith has been waived, the Rockets announced in a press release. The moves were officially finalized on Saturday.
January 3: Tristen Newton is joining the Rockets on a two-way contract, a league source tells Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). Tyler Smith will be waived to create an opening.
Newton, a 24-year-old shooting guard, signed a two-way deal with Minnesota in September, but was waived prior to the start of the season. He has been playing for the Iowa Wolves in the G League, where he’s averaging 26.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.
Newton was selected by Indiana with the 49th pick in the 2024 draft, and he appeared in five games on a two-way contract before being released early last January. Minnesota claimed him off waivers, and he saw action in three more NBA games.
Newton will be eligible to appear in up to 29 games with Houston if his new contract is finalized by the end of the day. His two-way salary will become fully guaranteed as long as he remains on the roster through Wednesday.
Smith, a 21-year-old power forward, hasn’t made any NBA appearances since signing his two-way deal with the Rockets on December 2. He was the 33rd pick in the 2024 draft and got into 23 games with Milwaukee last season.
Two players Rockets should be targeting.
Jrue Holiday, CJ McCallum. Either one gets them into West Finals.
The cost would take away from their core. Not worth giving up Sheppard or Jabari.
FVV is expiring money this yr. Blazers would do that plus a pick. Blazers save 70 mill. They have Dame there to mentor now.
CJ might take more than FVV. But he is walking after this yr. So that pick will look good. Plus two 2nd rd picks.
Rockets window with KD is short. Wasting his younger yrs is just dumb. They have to find a PG that makes a difference.
FVV has a no trade clause and a player option for next year
He has a player option next year. Not a trade clause. Big difference. Jrue has three yrs on his contract. Which makes him ideal for a run with KD. FVV can be bought out by Blazers. Or can play him for one yr. Better than than paying out 72 million going out.
Same with Wizards. FVV at one yr for 25 mill os not a big deal. If they get a pick for a guy who is leaving.
“A player who re-signs with his previous team on a one-year contract – or a two-year deal with an option year – is given no-trade protection, unless he agrees to give up that protection when he inks his deal. “
link to hoopsrumors.com
Maybe I missed news of FVV giving his up otherwise he has a no trade clause and he signed a 2 year deal with a player option for next season
I just looked it up. You’re right. Always thought it had to be in the contract. Didn’t know players had that right when resigning with their team. Well they would need his approval. Well considering he isn’t playing this yr. Don’t see why he would reject it. Rockets have treated him very well. They also have Adams contract as an option.