The Houston Rockets would like to sign Zhou Qi to a long-term deal by using a portion of the mid-level exception, according to a source.

The Rockets, however, would be willing to spend the exception on the right free agent and instead sign Zhou to a shorter deal.

The Rockets drafted Zhou in the second round of the 2016 draft.

Zhou averaged 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game last season in China.