NBA: Houston Rockets Go All-In Small Ball, Signs Two Veteran Forwards

KEY POINTS

The Houston Rockets have gone small ball for the remainder of the season
The Houston Rockets have signed Jeff Green and DeMarre Carroll
The Houston Rockets are currently fifth in the Western Conference

The Houston Rockets are one of the more innovative teams currently in the NBA. Spearheaded by the offensive specialist Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets have pushed the limits of their lineup this year by going all-in with their small ball. The average height of their starting lineup is six-foot-four. Their tallest player in the starting role is Robert Covington who is listed at six-foot-seven.

With two open spots remaining left in their roster, the Rockets have decided to use them to pick up two veteran forwards. They are signing six-foot-six forward DeMarre Carroll and Six-foot-eight forward Jeff Green.

Houston plans to use its two open roster spots on forwards DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Green. https://t.co/ZbjKbr3DVJ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 17, 2020

Green will initially sign a 10-day contract to give him time to get used to the Rockets prior to committing to a full deal for the rest of the season.

Jeff Green will initially sign a 10-day contract with the Rockets, giving him a chance to become comfortable with the fit before commiting to a deal for the rest of the season, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2020

Carroll will join Houston as he agreed to a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs. He will officially commit to the team upon clearing waivers.

On the DeMarre Carroll contract in San Antonio.

Is owed:

🏀$2.3M as of Feb. 17
🏀$6.65M for 2020/21
🏀 $1.35M for 2021/22

San Antonio will incur a cap hit for all 3 seasons even with a buyout.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 17, 2020

Both players have shown grit on the basketball court in the past. Green was selected fifth overall in the 2007 NBA draft and was a pivotal member of the Seattle Supersonics and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will be reunited with Russell Westbrook and James Harden, as they were teammates in that Thunder squad.

Forward Jeff Green (@unclejeffgreen) reunited w/ James Harden & Russell Westbrook. They played together w/ OKC: “It’s going to be special to see those 2 guys,the way they’ve grown. It’s been wonderful. As a fan of the game it’s been great to see. I’m excited to be w/ them again.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 18, 2020

Green has moved around several teams after but remained as a serviceable forward. He stepped up as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 playoffs where he sparked 19 big points in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Carroll was part of the 2014-2015 Atlanta Hawks team that won the Southeast Division. He was the starting small forward of the Hawks that year that had a record of 60-22 and was first in the Eastern Conference. Carroll averaged 12.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 39.5% from the three-point line that year.

The addition of these two forwards is a push of the Rockets’ unorthodox offense. They are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 34-20 win-loss record.