The Houston Rockets released Isaiah Canaan just four days after signing him to a non-guaranteed contract.

Trevor Ariza was expected to be out three to four weeks, but he only missed four days, which led to the Rockets' unexpected reversal from Canaan.

"We're disappointed because I know Isaiah was really excited about getting back with the Rockets," Canaan's agent Mark Bartelstein said. "When they got the perimeter play of Trevor back, Daryl (Morey) the Rockets general manager called and said 'I don't think there's enough minutes for us to just justify using up our cap flexibility.'

"While we're disappointed, we understand it. If there's not an opportunity for Isaiah to play, they're so tight up against it, it, put them in a tough situation. They want to stay in close contact where if something were to happen with the roster and they have a need, I know he's the first guy they'll look at."

The Rockets are keeping their 15th roster spot open.

"It's pretty simple," Daryl Morey said. "Isaiah did nothing wrong, but we're obviously focused on the big picture. We're having to think down the road. We need to preserve all our flexibility. Unless someone is currently, actively on the floor or in the plan for it, hard to keep him on the roster."