March 2014 Houston Rockets Wiretap

Trevor Ariza Happy With Rockets' Decision, Transition

Dec 30, 2014 10:40 AM

Trevor Ariza became a key part of the Washington Wizards in his third season with the club and his decision to sign with the Houston Rockets in the offseason was difficult.

“It was a tough decision to make, but it was a decision that I’m happy about,” Ariza said.

Through 30 games in his second stint with the Rockets — he played in Houston in 2008-09 and averaged a career-high 14.9 points per game —Ariza has supplied the reliability and stout defending he did in Washington.

“He’s been great, he’s been great. Trevor’s been one of our constants,” Kevin McHale said. Trevor’s defense and willingness to take and make big shots for us [has been great].

“Just his ability to guard. He can guard just about anybody. We had him on Anthony Davis. We had him on point guards. He’s an unbelievable crafty defender. He’s much better than I thought he was and that’s just from watching from afar. He’s just smart. He just understands angles and he just sniffs things out. He’s got great anticipation. He’s been great for us.”

“I think it’s gone pretty good,” Ariza said of his transition. “We’ve had spots where we’ve played well, spots where we’ve played not-so-well. But we’re coming together at the right time, I think. We’re getting a lot of new pieces in here to help us contend and I think we’re going in the right direction."

Jorge Castillo/Washington Post

Tags: Trevor Ariza, Houston Rockets, NBA

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Jimmy Butler, James Harden Named NBA Players Of The Week

Dec 29, 2014 5:50 PM

The Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler and the Houston Rockets' James Harden were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 22, through Sunday, Dec. 28.

Butler led the Bulls to a 4-0 week behind averages of 23.0 points (seventh in the conference), 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks. His 40.2 minutes per contest led the league. On Dec. 22, Butler went 11-for-11 at the foul line en route to 27 points, and added 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists during a 129-120 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Harden helped the Rockets to a 2-1 week, which included wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged a league-best 34.7 points and added 7.3 assists (eighth in the conference), 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals. On Dec. 22, Harden posted 44 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds during a 110-95 win over the Trail Blazers.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Jimmy Butler, James Harden, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Award

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Rockets Assign Clint Capela To D-League

Dec 27, 2014 6:25 PM

The Houston Rockets have assigned Clint Capela to their single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley.

Capela (6-10, 245, France), has appeared in four games for the Rockets and recorded six rebounds, one assist, a steal and a block in 12 total minutes of playing time. This will be Capela’s third stint in the D-League where he has averaged 9.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 15.4 minutes per game with the Vipers over the course of nine games. The former Elan Chalon player out of France was selected by the Rockets 25th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Clint Capela, Houston Rockets, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, NBA, D-League, D-League Teams

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Rockets Waive Tarik Black To Create Roster Spot For Smith

Dec 26, 2014 11:37 AM

The Houston Rockets have waived Tarik Black to create a roster spot for Josh Smith.

There are several teams interested in claiming Black, making it unlikely the Rockets will have to pay his salary.

The Rockets hope Smith will pass his physical and play in Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Tarik Black, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Waiver

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Rockets Hope To Create Josh Smith's Roster Spot Via Trade

Dec 26, 2014 12:58 PM

The Houston Rockets still hope to open up a roster spot to sign Josh Smith by completing a trade on Friday.

Smith has already agreed to sign with the Rockets after clearing waivers.

The Rockets would have to waive a player if a trade is not found by Daryl Morey.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Josh Smith, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Josh Smith Agrees To Sign With Rockets

Dec 24, 2014 1:24 PM

Josh Smith has agreed to sign with the Houston Rockets.

Smith was waived this week by the Detroit Pistons.

Smith has been promised a spot in the starting lineup and now has the opportunity to play beside former AAU teammate Dwight Howard. Smith only would consider clubs offering a starting spot, which limited his options to the Rockets and Miami Heat

Smith will likely sign a deal with the Rockets for the biannual exception of $2 million once he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday. 

The Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings also had interest in Smith.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Josh Smith, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kevin McHale Signs Three-Year, $13M Extension With Rockets

Dec 24, 2014 11:58 AM

Kevin McHale has agreed upon a three-year extension with the Houston Rockets. The new deal is worth nearly $13 million over three seasons.

McHale was the only NBA head coach without a contract beyond the current season.

McHale became head coach of the Rockets in 2011 replacing Rick Adelman.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets To Promise Starting Spot To Josh Smith

Dec 24, 2014 1:03 AM

The Houston Rockets will assure Josh Smith that he will become their starting power forward if he chooses to sign with them.

The Rockets previously tried to acquire Smith during the 2013 offseason.

Smith will also receive interest from the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Josh Smith, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Emerge As Favorites To Sign Josh Smith

Dec 23, 2014 10:41 AM

The Houston Rockets have improved their position as frontrunner to sign Josh Smith.

Beyond Smith's close friend Dwight Howard, there's confidence among Rockets' players that they'll be able to sign him.

The Rockets tried to acquire Smith in the 2013 offseason, but were unable to put together a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Before ultimately signing a four-year $56 million deal with Detroit, Smith had long had interest in finding a way to join the Rockets, sources said.

Houston can use its biannual exception, worth $2.077 million annually, to sign Smith.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat also have interest in Smith.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Josh Smith, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings, Clippers, Mavs, Rockets, Heat Interested In Josh Smith

Dec 22, 2014 2:16 PM

The Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks will all have interest in signing Josh Smith once he clears waivers.

Smith was waived on Monday by the Detroit Pistons.

The Kings were interested in trading for Smith in the offseason.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Houston Rockets are also interested in Smith. The Rockets can offer Smith its bi-annual exception, which gives them an advantage over other clubs.

Stein added that the Miami Heat also have interest in signing Smith.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Josh Smith, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Release Francisco Garcia

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Rockets Acquire Corey Brewer From Wolves For Troy Daniels

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Rajon Rondo 'Open' To Re-Signing With Mavs, Rockets

Ken Berger/CBS Sports

Mavericks Emerge As Favorites For Rajon Rondo, Rockets 'Still Fighting'

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Corey Brewer Placed On Trade Block Again By Wolves

Marc Stein, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Rockets Assign Clint Capela To Rio Grande Valley

RealGM Staff Report

Dwight Howard Optimistic On Not Missing More Games Due To Knee Injury

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

John Wall, James Harden Named Players Of The Week

RealGM Staff Report

Dwight Howard Aims To Return Saturday

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

James Harden Dealing With Back Spasms

Jenny Dial Creech/Houston Chronicle

Dwight Howard Could Be Closer To Return, Participates In Workout

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Dwight Howard Not Close To Return From Knee Strain

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle