Rockets Sign Former Lottery Pick

The Houston Rockets are bringing in some center depth for their roster, landing a former lottery pick in Willie Cauley-Stein.

Willie Cauley-Stein has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rockets, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/0lb0wjqstR

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 12, 2022

It's a one-year deal for the 7-footer, who spent last season split between the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers. Cauley-Stein spent his first four (and best four) years in the league with the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 10 points and 6.4 rebounds as a rotation player. 

He's bounced around a bit since then, however, with his minutes significantly reduced the past couple of years. 

Now 28 years old, he was the No. 6 overall pick by the Kings in the 2015 NBA Draft.  

In order to sign Willie Cauley-Stein as reported, the Houston Rockets will need to waive someone. They are already at the offseason maximum of 20 players.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 12, 2022

As noted, the Rockets are at the full 20-player roster limit, so someone will need to be waived. This shouldn't be an issue, as not all of the three players they received from Dallas in the Christian Wood trade are expected to be on the squad. One or more of Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke, Sterling Brown, and Boban Marjanovic will be cut. 

Cauley-Stein will likely compete with the likes of Bruno Fernando and possibly Marjanovic for backup center minutes. 

Photos: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports, Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports