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AJ Griffin AJ Griffin pours in 15 points with two 3-pointers
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 7:32 PM
AJ Griffin posted a solid line on Thursday with 15 points (5-of-10 FGs), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and two triples against Minnesota.
Analysis: After shooting poorly in his first two appearances for Houston this summer, Griffin has been much better over their last two. The sharpshooter is looking to get his career back on the right track after a lost season in Atlanta, and this summer has been a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent. It will be difficult for him to carve out a role on a deep Houston squad this season, but he is still worth stashing in dynasty formats. |
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Emoni Bates Reed Sheppard pours in 20/5/7/2/1 line in loss
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 7:25 PM
Reed Sheppard led Houston with 20 points (9-of-17 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block and nine turnovers in a 93-83 loss to the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Analysis: Sheppard has had a fantastic summer, but this wasn't his best game. He turned the ball over nine times and didn't knock down a single 3-pointer. Still, despite those struggles, Sheppard was still able to stuff the stat sheet across the board. He has flashed superstar potential this summer, and he has a fantasy-friendly game. The biggest question for his rookie season will be how many minutes he gets, and if it's enough to impact fantasy. If he does have a decent-sized role, he will be worth a late-round pick. |
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AJ Griffin AJ Griffin scores team-high 18 points vs. Pistons
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 2:33 PM
AJ Griffin shot 7-of-13 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Monday's 87-73 loss to Detroit, accumulating 18 points, five rebounds, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 29 minutes.
Analysis: Griffin's contract for the 2024-25 season is guaranteed, and the change of scenery allows him to show what he can do for a new franchise. The issue for him is Houston's depth on the wings. In addition to having Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore will factor into the competition for minutes once training camp begins in September. However, more critical for Griffin is taking advantage of the opportunity he has in summer league. |
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Cam Whitmore Cam Whitmore goes ice cold in loss to Pistons
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 2:30 PM
Cam Whitmore played 30 minutes in Monday's 87-73 loss to the Pistons, finishing with five points (1-of-15 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Analysis: Given how well Whitmore played in Houston's first two games in Las Vegas, seeing him on the court Monday afternoon was surprising. Playing his third game in four days, the 2023 first-round pick struggled mightily with his shot, and frustration may have gotten the best of Whitmore. Fantasy managers should not read too much into this performance, and it would be unsurprising if the Rockets decided to shut him down for the rest of the week. |
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Emoni Bates Report: HOU to sign Jack McVeigh to two-way deal
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 2:18 PM
ESPN Australia
According to ESPN Australia's Ogun Uluc, the Rockets are signing Jack McVeigh to a two-way contract.
Analysis: McVeigh, who played well in Australia's exhibition loss to the United States on Monday, is coming off the best season of his professional career. The 6-foot-8 wing led Tasmania to a league title in Australia's NBL, and he was named MVP of the championship series after averaging 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 3-pointers per game. McVeigh will now try his hand at the NBA, and this will not be his first time playing in America. He played college basketball at Nebraska before returning to Australia to begin his pro career. |
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Emoni Bates Reed Sheppard continues to flourish in Las Vegas
Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 2:12 PM
Reed Sheppard played 32 minutes in Sunday's 109-91 win over the Wizards, accounting for 22 points (9-of-15 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, seven assists, five steals, one block, and one 3-pointer.
Analysis: Like Cam Whitmore, it's time to ask if Sheppard needs to play anymore during summer league. The rookie guard has looked ready for the moment, finding his spots offensively and adequately navigating the balance of scoring and setting up teammates. Sheppard has also defended very well, which is no surprise given how well he attacked passing lanes during his lone season at Kentucky. The Rockets got themselves a good one with the third overall pick. |
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Cam Whitmore Cam Whitmore scores game-high 25 points vs. WAS
Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 2:08 PM
Cam Whitmore shot 9-of-15 from the field and 7-of-10 from the foul line in Sunday's 109-91 win over the Wizards, tallying 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists, five steals, and one block in 30 minutes.
Analysis: Whitmore won summer league MVP honors last year and has looked highly impressive in Houston's first two games this week. He has played at the level teams want their returnees to reach in this setting, making it clear that there's no need to play anymore. A second straight MVP may not be in the cards for Whitmore, as the Rockets could decide to shut him down. There's little reason to believe that the franchise decision-makers have not seen enough. |
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Jeff Green Report: Rockets exercise Jeff Green club option
Fri, Jul 12, 2024, 8:38 AM
Michael Scotto on Twitter
According to a report from Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto, the Rockets are guaranteeing Green's $9.6 million salary for 2024-25.
Analysis: Green averaged 6.5 points and 2.3 rebounds through 78 games last season. Houston's young frontcourt is improving quickly, so Green is unlikely to be a significant fantasy option when the Rockets are healthy. Especially with Steven Adams set to return from a one-year layoff. |
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Aaron Holiday Shams: Aaron Holiday plans to return to Houston
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 9:04 AM
Shams Charania on X
Aaron Holiday plans to return to Houston on a two-year, $10 million deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Analysis: Holiday will be back in Houston next season, and he will provide some defense when needed. However, with Reed Sheppard in the mix now, they won't have enough minutes for Holiday to provide much fantasy value whatsoever. |
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Jae'Sean Tate Woj: HOU to pick up Jae'Sean Tate's player option
Sat, Jun 29, 2024, 5:20 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are picking up Jae'Sean Tate's player option for the 2024-25 season.
Analysis: Tate, who appeared in 65 games last season, will make approximately $7.6 million in 2024-25. The versatile forward averaged 4.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.6 steals in 15.2 minutes, with his production and playing time decreasing due to the arrivals of Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson. And this was with Tari Eason missing most of the season with a leg injury. A healthy Eason in the rotation lowers Tate's fantasy ceiling even more. |
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Cam Whitmore Cam Whitmore, AJ Griffin to play in Summer League
Fri, Jun 28, 2024, 10:56 AM
Kelly Iko on X
Cam Whitmore and AJ Griffin will play in Summer League.
Analysis: Both wings will suit up for the Rockets this summer. Whitmore had a strong rookie season, but the extra reps will still help. Griffin barely suited up for Atlanta last season, so getting time on the court will be good for him as he adjusts to a new team. Alongside Reed Sheppard, they will have a talented squad in Vegas. |
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Emoni Bates Report: HOU, N'Faly Dante agree to two-way deal
Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 5:42 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have signed N'Faly Dante to a two-way contract.
Analysis: Dante played five seasons for Oregon, turning in the best performance of his collegiate career as a fifth-year senior in 2023-24. Last season, the big man posted averages of 17.0 points, 9.2 boards, 1.6 dimes, 1.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 69.5% from the floor. His offensive game could still use some work, but Dante is a disciplined defender with the size to compete with NBA centers. If he can secure rotational minutes as a rookie, he could put up substantial defensive numbers, which are always valuable for fantasy managers. However, Houston is not the best spot for Dante due to the presence of Alperen Sengun. Even if the rookie works his way into the backup center role, the minutes needed to impact fantasy basketball may not be there. |
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AJ Griffin AJ Griffin traded to Houston for 44th pick
Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 2:10 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
AJ Griffin was traded to the Rockets for the 44th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Analysis: The 16th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft logged nearly 20 minutes per game as a rookie, but his playing time was cut by more than half in Year 2. Griffin will have a tough time finding minutes in Houston's rotation, and he's off the radar in redraft fantasy hoops leagues. |
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Emoni Bates Reed Sheppard heads to Houston at No. 3
Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 7:25 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
The Houston Rockets selected Reed Sheppard with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Analysis: The freshman guard only started five games during his time at Kentucky, but he was still incredibly effective on both ends of the floor. In 28.9 minutes per game, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.3 triples per game, shooting 53.6% from the floor and 52.1% from beyond the arc. Sheppard also recorded a 42â vertical at the combine, adding to his impressive resume. He showcased just how valuable he can be as a two-way stud, and if his numbers translate, he will be an elite asset in fantasy basketball. Where he fits into Houston's rotation is still an unknown, as he'll compete for minutes with Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore among others. |
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Emoni Bates Woj: Rockets hoping to eventually land a Suns star
Tue, Jun 25, 2024, 9:37 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have acquired multiple future first-round picks in hopes of eventually having the draft capital needed to help facilitate a trade for either Devin Booker or Kevin Durant.
Analysis: In his report, Wojnarowski noted that while the Suns have said they plan to hold onto Booker and Durant and attempt to win with their current group, that could change next season. Houston reportedly wants to acquire one of those two stars, and they've begun obtaining some assets to make it happen. In three separate deals, the Rockets acquired Phoenix's 2027 pick from the Nets (via the Suns acquiring KD from Brooklyn), the right to swap the Houston/Oklahoma City 2025 first with Phoenix's 2025 first, the more favorable 2029 first from Dallas and Phoenix, and the right to swap its 2029 first for the less favorable Dallas first and Phoenix first. That's a lot of picks, and it could eventually prove enticing to the Suns, given the amount of draft capital they've given up to put together their current roster. However, Houston could also use the acquired picks to make a different play as they attempt to fast-track their rebuild. These moves won't impact fantasy basketball right now, but it will be something to be mindful of as the 2024-25 season plays out. |
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Jalen Green Jalen Green scores 13 in season finale Sunday
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 2:05 PM
Jalen Green shot 5-of-14 from the field in Sunday's win over the Clippers, scoring 13 points with six rebounds, three assists, and three 3-pointers in 23 minutes.
Analysis: After scoring 26 points on 50% shooting in Friday's win over Portland, Green was limited to 23 minutes on Sunday. The priority was to get less experienced players more run in the second half, and the third-year guard was excellent after the All-Star break. In 28 post-break games, he averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 3.3 3-pointers, shooting 44.1% from the field and 80.9% from the foul line. Green was more productive and more efficient, with his offensive rating (117.1) being nearly six points higher than his pre-break number (111.9). Green benefitted from the changes made by the Rockets, most notably the hiring of Ime Udoka as head coach and the addition of point guard Fred VanVleet. That makes him an intriguing fantasy option for 2024-25. |
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Jabari Smith Jabari Smith Jr. scores 15 points vs. Clippers
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 1:54 PM
Jabari Smith Jr. played 33 minutes in Sunday's win over the Clippers, scoring 15 points (6-of-19 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs) with eight rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers.
Analysis: While Smith was one of six Rockets to score in double figures, this wasn't the best finish to the season for the second-year forward. He was 2-of-10 from three, which weighed down the overall field-goal percentage, and the 15 points equaled his total from the Rockets' games against Utah (Thursday) and Portland (Friday). Beginning the season with a Yahoo ADP of 92.1, Smith exceeded that number in 9-cat formats while ranking just outside the top 100 in 8-cat. Alperen Sengun's absence from mid-March onward did not significantly boost Smith's fantasy value, which was the expectation of many. Expecting another top-100 season from Smith in 2024-25 would be fair. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson drops complete 18/11/10/3/3 line
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 1:48 PM
Amen Thompson shot 8-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line in Sunday's win over the Clippers, scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and three blocked shots in 40 minutes.
Analysis: Sunday's performance was an impressive ending to Thompson's rookie campaign and symbolic of what he brings to the table. The rookie has Yahoo eligibility at point guard, shooting guard, and small forward, and it fits, as Houston can use him anywhere on the perimeter (and even the four in smaller lineups). Thompson was a 12th-round player in 8- and 9-cat formats, which aligns with his Yahoo ADP (140), but there is top-100 potential. He should last on draft boards too far past the 100th pick in redraft leagues next fall. |
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Cam Whitmore Cam Whitmore leads Rockets with 21 points Sunday
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 1:38 PM
Cam Whitmore logged 36 minutes in Sunday's 116-105 win over the Clippers, tallying 21 points (9-of-17 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, one block, and two 3-pointers.
Analysis: Due to the absence of multiple veterans, Whitmore made his second career start on Sunday. And he played well, shooting better than 50% from the field and leading the Rockets in scoring. Putting the ball in the basket has long been one of Whitmore's strengths, but he was productive in other areas in the final three games of his rookie season. While he has been overshadowed by Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason (leg) will be available, Whitmore offers a decent deep-league upside heading into 2024-25. His most significant issue may be Houston's rotation, as the team is deep on the wings. |
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Cam Whitmore HOU starting Amen, Green, Whitmore, Jabari, Jock
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 9:06 AM
Tomer Azarly on X
The Rockets will start Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale against the Clippers on Sunday.
Analysis: Whitmore moves into the starting unit in place of Dllon Brooks, who is sidelined for the final game of the season. The Clippers are resting their rotation players, so Whitmore should be in for a big night in increased minutes. |
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